Peru's Keiko Fujimori Seeks Emergency Powers to Combat Organized Crime

President Keiko Fujimori of Peru has formally requested extraordinary powers from Congress to legislate against organized crime and tackle the escalating security crisis gripping the nation. Peru is currently experiencing its most severe security challenges since the internal armed conflict concluded in 2000. The urgency of the situation is underscored by stark statistics: homicides have more than doubled, rising from 1,000 in 2018 to an estimated 2,600 in 2025, while extortion complaints have surged dramatically from 3,200 to 26,500 in the same period.

Fujimori, who assumed office just one month prior, submitted an urgent request to the legislature seeking the authority to enact measures against criminal networks. A key proposal within the government's plan is to officially designate "criminal organizations as terrorist organizations." Prime Minister Luis Galarreta articulated the rationale behind the request, stating, "Delinquents challenge the State because they look for places where there are no military and police to shoot. The citizenry will see concrete responses; for that, we will need the faculties."

If approved by both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, the government would be empowered to issue legislative decrees for a period of 120 days. Beyond addressing the pervasive insecurity, Fujimori's administration also aims to legislate in response to the anticipated effects of the El Niño climate phenomenon, which experts predict could be the most intense on record, bringing extreme rainfall and heat. Fujimori, the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, pledged during her campaign to adopt a stringent approach to crime, mirroring her father's methods. Her inaugural address also signaled a plan for the military to lead the fight against crime in areas dominated by extortionists and drug traffickers.