The attorney general of Peru, Patricia Benavides, is in the eye of the storm after being accused of leading an alleged criminal organization that “illegally influenced decisions of congressmen.”
The police and the special team of prosecutors against corruption in power (Eficcop) carried out an operation in several offices of the Public Ministry as part of an investigation into a criminal plot that focuses on Benavides and three of her advisors (Alberto Hurtado Espinoza, Miguel Ángel Girado Isidro and Jaime Javier Villanueva Barreto).
The prosecution maintains that the attorney general and her advisors coordinated with members of Congress from various political groups to align votes on issues of great public relevance, such as the dismissal of the heads of the National Board of Justice (JNJ), the appointment of the current ombudsman, Josúe Gutiérrez, and the disqualification of the former prosecutor of the Nation, Zoraida Ávalos.
Benavides dismisses the Eficcop coordinator
In response to the investigation against her, Benavides decided to dismiss the Eficcop coordinator, Marita Barreto, alleging that the investigation is a political maneuver that attempts to block other investigations being carried out against important government representatives.
Barreto announced that he will present a precautionary measure before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for what he considers an act of persecution.
Other reactions to Barreto’s dismissal
Congresswoman Ruth Luque filed a constitutional complaint against Benavides, accusing her of violating the Constitution, crimes of criminal organization and influence peddling.
He presentado Denuncia Constitucional contra Patricia Benavides por diversos infracciones a la Constitución y delitos. Su presencia al frente del Ministerio Público es una amenaza directa al principio de separación de poderes en el cual se funda nuestra democracia, ha pervertido… pic.twitter.com/kG6B1c2FSa
— Ruth Luque (@RuthLuqueIbarra) November 27, 2023
The Minister of Justice, Eduardo Arana, also reacted with concern to Benavides’ decision and asked her to leave Barreto in office and finish the investigations. “We should not go to extremes to consider that this could be politically managed,” he said.
Following the revelations, supreme prosecutors Pablo Sánchez and Juan Carlos Villena demanded that Benavides resign from office.
Los fiscales supremos Pablo Sánchez y Juan Carlos Villena exigen la renuncia de la fiscal de la nación Patricia Benavides. pic.twitter.com/zDVnrqWYPS
— IDL-Reporteros (@IDL_R) November 27, 2023
Benavides files a complaint against the president of Peru
Amid this crisis, Benavides filed a constitutional complaint against President Dina Boluarte and Prime Minister Alberto Otárola for the deaths of protesters during protests against the government. This action has intensified polarization and tension in the country.
In response, Boluarte suggested that the prosecutor should not only respond to the investigation but should also leave her position. “I think that the nation’s prosecutor must respond to this entire investigation that surprised us a few days ago (...). I think she has lost objectivity [which makes it difficult] for her to continue in office,” she said.
