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🇵🇾 Paraguay /Crime & Justice

Peru's police chief announces departure after criticism of his record

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency New plan
  • Peru's national police chief, Gen. Oscar Arriola, said he would request retirement and be replaced by Lt. Gen. Freddy López Mendoza.
  • His announcement followed criticism over a wave of organized crime and a meeting with President Keiko Fujimori and other government officials.
  • The government has declared states of emergency in several areas and placed the armed forces outside the country's five most dangerous prisons.

Peru's national police chief, Gen. Oscar Arriola, announced that he would leave his post after facing criticism over the country's worsening crime wave.

In the coming days I will be relieved of my post as commander general of the PNP.

· Oscar ArriolaPeru's police chief announced his departure at the Government Palace.

Arriola said at the Government Palace that he would be replaced in the coming days by Lt. Gen. Freddy López Mendoza. He described the decision as the result of an assessment of the public-security situation and his commitment to institutional stability, following a lengthy meeting with President Keiko Fujimori and other members of the executive branch.

The police chief said he regretted none of the decisions he had made and would leave with a clear conscience and his head held high. Addressing fellow officers, he said terrorism and organized crime had never defeated them.

I leave with an absolutely clear conscience and my head held high.

· Oscar ArriolaArriola defended his record as he announced his retirement request.

Arriola also thanked former President Dina Boluarte and former leaders José Jerí and José María Balcázar for keeping him in the post. The position carries a two-year term, which had prevented Fujimori from requesting his resignation directly.

It must be understood as a gesture by Peruvians committed to their country.

· Luis GalarretaThe prime minister described Arriola's decision to request retirement.

His departure comes as organized-crime attacks continue in Lima, Trujillo and other major cities. Trujillo has faced extortion and contract-killing gangs, as well as crimes linked to illegal gold extraction. Prime Minister Luis Galarreta said Arriola's request should be understood as an act by Peruvians committed to their country. He said the government faced a very difficult security situation and needed strategies to confront crime and prevent criminal groups from weakening institutions.

Crime's objective is not only to attack human beings, which we will confront, but also to weaken institutions.

· Luis GalarretaGalarreta said criminal groups also seek to undermine Peru's institutions.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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