Peru faces a renewed political storm as accusations reach the highest levels of public service
Peru is once again engulfed in a political storm that has the country watching closely. National Prosecutor Patricia Benavides is accused of leading a criminal network with consequences for what is widely described as the most unpopular Congress in recent memory. As the government grapples with a surge of scrutiny, Benavides aims to weather the crisis without falling into broader instability. The controversy intersects with ongoing constitutional debates surrounding the impeachment attempts against interim president Dina Boluarte and prime minister Alberto Otárola, sparked by deadly protests in the south during late 2022 and early 2023. Peruvians are witnessing a struggle over who holds institutional power and how accountability will be enforced, a situation some observers compare to a dramatic telenovela.
Recent events unfolded when the Anti-Corruption Special Team conducted a raid at the Public Ministry’s headquarters. The investigation targets not only Benavides but also several close aides, including Alberto Hurtado Espinoza, Miguel Ángel Girado Isidro, and especially Jaime Javier Villanueva Barreto. Conversations released during the inquiry have highlighted widespread concerns about corruption mechanisms within the judiciary and legislative bodies. In one widely reported statement, Villanueva Barreto described Benavides as his right-hand man who allegedly helped engineer the disqualification of prosecutor Zoraida Ávalos. The claim added a dramatic twist to the crisis, and Villanueva Barreto later sought medical treatment, a move that drew skepticism from doctors who denied any health issues. He ultimately surrendered to authorities.
Prosecutors Pablo Sánchez and Juan Carlos Villena have called for Benavides to resign to avoid compromising the investigation, while she has resisted stepping aside. President Boluarte has indicated that she would be willing to waive presidential immunity to face probes, a move that underscores the seriousness of the case. Eduardo Arana Ysa, the minister of justice and human rights, stated that Benavides faces questions about potential criminal responsibility for the events in question. Boluarte’s lawyer, Joseph Campos, characterized the complaint as a political maneuver by the prosecutor, arguing that the situation resembles a civil conflict within the Public Ministry. The objections to Benavides’ lead role in the matter have been described by Campos as lacking substantive grounding.
calls for resignation
The dispute remains unresolved, with Congress largely silent as the investigation continues. A prominent Lima daily, Trade, editorialized that Benavides cannot continue in her current role, arguing that involvement in a probe of a suspected criminal organization warrants departure and that the suspension of another prosecutor, Marita Barreto, signals potential obstruction of justice. The same outlet asserted that the resignation of Ombudsman Josué Gutiérrez was also demanded, pointing to controversial conversations that allegedly linked his appointment to backroom negotiations involving Villanueva Barreto and multiple lawmakers.
Public broadcasts highlighted deaths from the protests and raised questions about whether the long-delayed investigations have been stymied by political dynamics. Some observers warned that the investigations could reflect a broader backlash against the Public Ministry and allied institutions. The analysis emphasized that the pressure on Benavides is part of a wider reckoning with governance and accountability, not a matter of left versus right. As the situation evolves, the focus is on whether the Public Ministry can regain credibility and whether lawmakers will insist on a clear path toward accountability.
According to reports from Republic, the charges against the attorney general and his three principal advisers are considered extremely serious. Parliament, described as the third pillar of the system, showed a lack of a unified stance despite pressure from several deputies to push through the agenda items. There was mention of proposals to drop complaints related to ongoing investigations, underscoring tensions between legal processes and political calculations. The overarching question remains whether institutional reforms can proceed while the public seeks assurance that the rule of law is being applied impartially.