Peru's Chamber of Deputies approves interpellation of Interior Minister

César Astudillo interpelación inseguridad ciudadana Cámara de Diputados crimen organizado

The Peruvian Chamber of Deputies has approved a motion to interpellate Interior Minister César Astudillo. Scheduled for September 17, the hearing will require Astudillo to answer 27 questions regarding his management of citizen insecurity and the rise of organized crime, following high-profile incidents such as the kidnapping and murder of a mining businessman in Trujillo.

In a separate legislative move, the Chamber also voted to summon Prime Minister Luis Galarreta and the Ministers of Defense and Interior to report on government strategies against crime. While the interpellation of the Defense Minister was rejected, the Senate has approved the creation of a multi-party special commission to oversee and evaluate public security policies for the next 12 months.

Additionally, the Executive branch is seeking delegated legislative powers to address gaps in housing, water, and sanitation, as well as to combat criminality and manage climate-related events like El Niño. The Ministry of Housing has highlighted that hundreds of projects are currently stalled due to bureaucratic obstacles.