The decision by the Attorney General, Tomás Galvez Villegas, to appoint Patricia Benavides as national coordinator of the Specialized Prosecutors’ Offices for Crimes Caught in the Act is a worrying sign for the country that continuity will be the hallmark of Keiko Fujimori’s new government and that, with the “new order,” the last branch of government that still maintained a certain degree of autonomy will be brought under control.
Patricia Benavides’ (former Attorney General) new position is highly controversial, given that she is the subject of various investigations into serious crimes, such as leading a criminal organization within the upper echelons of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, influence peddling, bribery, and alleged plagiarism in her thesis, as well as interference in prosecutorial investigations—including one involving her sister—among other allegations.
A Guarantee of Justice?
Although the charges against Benavides have been dismissed, the public is asking: How can a figure with this track record return once again to hold highly influential public office? Are there no upright prosecutors who can guarantee effective justice and competently fulfill such roles? Will the appointment of controversial figures continue, further monopolizing the branches of government?
According to Resolution 1967-2026-MP-FN, published on July 22 in the official gazette *El Peruano*, Benavides will be responsible for directing and supervising the specialized prosecutor’s offices handling crimes caught in the act. She will also be in charge of standardizing operational criteria and coordinating among these prosecutor’s offices.
It should be noted that the resolution appointing Patricia Benavides to the position was issued after the Board of Supreme Prosecutors ordered the creation of Provincial Criminal Prosecutor’s Offices for Crimes Committed in Flagrante Delicto nationwide, through Resolution 045-2025-MP-FN-JFS, dated August 7, 2025.
The news of the appointment of the incoming National Coordinator of the Specialized Prosecutor’s Offices for Crimes Committed in Flagrante Delicto has been met with surprise in the justice sector; likewise, organized civil society remains vigilant regarding the changes being implemented by the government of José María Balcázar, just days before the presidential transition. Experience teaches us that, following the results of the recent elections, if there is one lesson to be learned, it is this: today’s results were “rigged” in advance and without consultation; hence the importance of citizen oversight.
