Raúl Alfaro, former Peruvian Police Commander, dies at 60

Raúl Alfaro Alvarado, the former General Commander of the National Police of Peru, has died at the age of 60. Alfaro led the police force from August 2022 to March 2023, having been appointed during the administration of former President Pedro Castillo.

Alfaro played a pivotal role during the political crisis on December 7, 2022, following Castillo’s attempt to dissolve Congress. According to Alfaro’s own testimony in judicial proceedings, the former president ordered him to withdraw security personnel from Parliament and intervene in the Office of the Attorney General. Alfaro rejected these orders, deeming them illegal, and instead coordinated the arrest of Castillo on charges of flagrante delicto.

In addition to his role in the attempted coup, Alfaro faced legal scrutiny regarding the police response to social protests in late 2022 and early 2023. The Public Ministry had requested a 35-year prison sentence for him on charges of qualified homicide related to deaths during clashes in southern Peru. He had previously exercised his right to remain silent during investigations into these incidents.