Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori requests legislative powers to combat organized crime

On August 28, 2026, one month into her presidency, Keiko Fujimori submitted an urgent request to the Peruvian Congress for special legislative powers to address a severe national security crisis. The administration seeks the authority to issue legislative decrees for 120 days to implement new security measures, primarily targeting the reclassification of criminal groups as terrorist organizations to enhance law enforcement capabilities.

Peru, a nation of approximately 34 million people, is currently facing its worst security downturn since the end of the civil conflict between 1980 and 2000. Data indicates a significant escalation in violence, with annual homicides rising from 1,000 in 2018 to 2,600 in 2025, and extortion reports surging from 3,200 to 26,500 over the same period.

In addition to the legislative request, reports indicate that President Fujimori has moved to declare a state of emergency in Lima, which will suspend certain constitutional rights, including the inviolability of the home, for 60 days. The government has also moved to establish a new intelligence committee to focus on anti-crime operations. The proposal for broader legislative powers is now pending review by both chambers of the Peruvian Parliament, which must approve the request for it to take effect.