Lima, Peru — President Dina Boluarte on March 24 swore in her seventh Minister of the Inside since taking workplace. The brand new appointee is retired Nationwide Police Normal Julio Díaz Zulueta.
Díaz Zulueta assumed workplace simply because the 72-hour deadline for President Boluarte to nominate a brand new minister was about to run out, following the ouster of Juan José Santiváñez in Congress on Friday, March 21. The latter was faraway from workplace after going through heavy criticism.
Congress eliminated Santiváñez from workplace with 79 votes in favor, 11 in opposition to, and 18 abstentions after almost two hours of debate.
Lawmakers who supported his elimination mentioned he was unable to guide the ministry, battle the nation’s crime wave, or ship good outcomes. “We can not maintain this incompetent individual in workplace for even another day,” mentioned Congresswoman Susel Paredes.
Based on knowledge from the National Death Information System (Sinadef), throughout Santiváñez’s 429-day tenure, 1,818 homicides have been recorded nationwide. Moreover, to date in 2025, Sinadef has reported 459 homicides.
Based on El Comercio, since Boluarte grew to become president, six individuals have headed the Ministry of the Inside. Santiváñez was in workplace the longest, however throughout his time, the variety of homicides was the best. He additionally had the bottom file of dismantled prison teams.
Former Minister of the Inside Rubén Vargas informed the identical newspaper that Peru is at the moment experiencing “the best prison overflow in its republican historical past.” He added, “We have now a authorities adrift with no thought find out how to sort out the advanced difficulty of citizen safety.”
Díaz Zulueta’s appointment comes amid intense stress to curb rising crime and restore stability to a ministry affected by frequent adjustments and a scarcity of efficient outcomes.
Who’s Julio Díaz Zulueta, and what may be anticipated from his management?
Earlier than assuming this place, Díaz Zulueta served as Vice Minister of Public Safety beneath Santiváñez.
His file is not free of controversy. He has confronted youngster assist lawsuits and was investigated for alleged corruption in 2023. In reality, he was eliminated as head of the Lambayeque police macro-region after authorities launched an inquiry into overpriced purchases in the course of the pandemic. He has been linked to purchasing alcohol and face masks for the Nationwide Police at excessively excessive costs.
He’s additionally one of many 18 National Police generals who were retired throughout Francisco Sagasti’s authorities in 2020.
Concerning his educational background, Díaz Zulueta focuses on schooling, holds a level in language and literature, a bachelor’s diploma in administration and police sciences, and a grasp’s diploma in protection and nationwide growth. His profession within the police pressure spans 40 years of service.
In his inauguration speech, Díaz Zulueta reiterated his dedication to citizen safety, though his previous statements have sparked debate. In a public handle, he stated that “the Peruvian persons are among the many finest in citizen safety in Latin America” and that the nation has “one of the best mayors and cops within the area.” His remarks have been closely criticized, particularly amid rising issues about crime.
Along with his appointment to the Ministry of the Inside, Díaz Zulueta faces the problem of restoring confidence in a division marked by instability and addressing the criticisms surrounding his profession.
