Peru PNP appoints Fredy López Mendoza as new General Commander

National Police of Peru Fredy López Mendoza Óscar Arriola Los Pulpos Jhonsson Pulpo

The Peruvian government has announced a leadership change in the National Police of Peru (PNP), designating Lieutenant General Fredy López Mendoza as the new General Commander. He replaces General Óscar Arriola, who has requested retirement following intense public criticism regarding rising crime rates and a surge in homicides in August.

In a major blow to organized crime, authorities captured Jhonsson Smit Cruz Torres, known as ‘Jhonsson Pulpo,’ the leader of the ‘Los Pulpos’ criminal organization. His arrest took place in La Paz, Bolivia, following a joint intelligence operation involving Peruvian and Bolivian police, as well as the FBI and DEA. Cruz Torres was subsequently transferred to Lima to face justice. A former accomplice has alleged that Cruz Torres directed the kidnapping of businessman Jenss Lara from Bolivia.

In related security developments, police in Trujillo discovered a clandestine underground cell used by ‘Los Pulpos’ to hold victims captive, equipped with oxygen tanks to allow breathing while buried. Additionally, investigations revealed that official PNP uniforms can be purchased on the black market for approximately 210 soles without identity verification. Meanwhile, in the Cusco region, the PNP successfully destroyed two clandestine airstrips and a drug laboratory used by narcotics traffickers.

Entities

César Astudillo · Dina Boluarte · Fredy López Mendoza · Jhonsson Smit Cruz Torres · Keiko Fujimori · Los Pulpos · Luis Galarreta · National Police of Peru · Policía Nacional del Perú · Óscar Arriola

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] Fredy López Mendoza has been designated as the new General Commander of the National Police of Peru (PNP). diariolaopinion.pe · www.latercera.com · guik.pe · dsn.pe · www.cronicaviva.com.pe · +1 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Official PNP uniforms can be purchased on the black market for approximately 210 soles without identity verification. diariocorreo.pe
[○ 1 SOURCE] The PNP destroyed two clandestine airstrips and a drug laboratory in the Cusco region of Peru. lapatilla.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] A former accomplice claimed Jhonsson Pulpo directed the kidnapping of businessman Jenss Lara from Bolivia. investiga.pe
[● 9 SOURCES] General Óscar Arriola is stepping down from his position as General Commander of the PNP to request retirement. diariolaopinion.pe · www.latercera.com · gestion.pe · guik.pe · dsn.pe · +4 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Police discovered a clandestine underground cell in Trujillo used by 'Los Pulpos' to hold victims captive with oxygen tanks. n60.pe
[● 3 SOURCES] Jhonsson Smit Cruz Torres, leader of the 'Los Pulpos' criminal organization, was captured in La Paz, Bolivia. cuscopost.pe · investiga.pe · www.ventanainformativa.com