In a dramatic turn of events in Lima, Oct 15, 2025, Peru’s new interim president José Jerí has moved swiftly to frame his tenure as a decisive turning point in the fight against crime.
His government is now openly calling it a “war on crime,” with a special focus on dismantling criminal gangs that have long terrorized the country.
To lead this mission, Jerí has appointed retired police general Vicente Tiburcio as Interior Minister — charging him with the heavy task of restoring security and asserting state authority.
Below is a comprehensive, SEO-friendly look at this bold strategy, the people involved, the challenges ahead, and what it all means for Peru’s future.
Context: Political Upheaval + Crime Surge
1. Political Stability on Shaky Grounds
- On October 10, 2025, Peru’s Congress voted unanimously (122–0) to impeach President Dina Boluarte for “permanent moral incapacity.”
- Boluarte’s approval rating had dropped to 2%–4%, making her one of the world’s least trusted leaders.
- Jerí, aged 38, was then serving as Congress President and, by constitutional line of succession, was elevated to interim President.
- Peru now has its seventh president in nine years, highlighting chronic political instability.
2. Escalating Crime Crisis
- In recent years, extortion, murders, and gang violence have skyrocketed across Peru.
- In one of his first acts, Jerí oversaw coordinated prison raids targeting gang leadership hubs in Ancón I, Lurigancho, Challapalca, El Milagro, seizing weapons, phones, and narcotics.
- In 2024 alone, Peru registered more than 2,000 homicides — a steep climb from 676 in 2017.
- The capital Lima has previously been placed under state of emergency during crime spikes, with soldiers deployed to assist the police.
New Leadership at the Helm
1. José Jerí: The Young President Making Bold Moves
- José Enrique Jerí Oré, born November 13, 1986, is one of Peru’s youngest heads of state.
- He assumes office as an interim leader, tasked with governing through July 2026, pending elections scheduled for April 2026.
- In his inaugural address, Jerí stated: “The main enemy is out there on the streets: criminal gangs. We must declare war on crime.”
- He has emphasized empathy, national reconciliation, and sweeping institutional change.
2. Vicente Tiburcio: From Anti-terrorist to Crime Warrior
- Vicente Tiburcio Orbezo, aged around 61, is a retired general of the Peruvian National Police (PNP).
- He previously led anti-terror operations against groups like Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso), and worked in counterterror, criminal investigations, and intelligence (GEIN).
- His resume includes roles in DIRCOTE, DIRINCRI, and as PNP Commander General (Feb–May 2022) before his forced retirement.
- The government selected him precisely for his background in organized crime, drug trafficking, terrorism.
3. Other Key Appointments
- Ernesto Álvarez, aged 64 and former Constitutional Court President, becomes Prime Minister in a 19-member cabinet (four women included).
- Denisse Miralles is named Economy Minister.
- Hugo de Zela becomes Foreign Minister.
- This cabinet is explicitly designed to prioritize security and crime control.
Strategy & Messaging: How Jerí Frames the “War on Crime”
| Focus Area | Jerí’s Declaration / Action | Implication / Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| Crime Narrative | Declares gangs as the “main enemy” and announces war on crime | Sets a combative, urgent tone |
| Interior Leadership | Tiburcio to lead security operations | Relies on institutional discipline & efficacy |
| Prison Raids | Early coordinated operations inside prisons | Targets internal gang control from behind bars |
| Warning to Gang Leaders | “If they continue controlling our streets from the prisons … we will act with more determination” | Aimed at breaking gang-state influence |
| Political Legitimacy | Transition government lasts until elections in 2026 | Jerí must consolidate support while under scrutiny |
| Urgency and Messaging | Hardline language, constant pressure | Risk of overreach, civil rights concerns |
Jerí’s message is clear: no mercy for gangs, even if gang control bleeds into the prison system. He wants to upend the status quo immediately.
Risks, Doubts & Public Response
- Critics warn that a security-first approach could trample civil liberties, encourage abuses, or be manipulated by powerful interest groups.
- Given Peru’s history of political instability, many are watching to see if Jerí endures longer than recent predecessors.
- Protests continue across Peru — especially among Gen Z and civil society groups demanding deeper structural reform, not just tougher policing.
- Some analysts question whether Tiburcio’s militarized policing style can adapt to urban gang dynamics, which blend local crime, corruption, and social issues.
José Jerí’s emergent presidency is staking its legitimacy on a bold, confrontational stance: a “war on crime” led by Vicente Tiburcio, the ex-general with deep roots in anti-terror operations.
The strategy is to dismantle gangs from prison walls outward, reassert state control, and signal that Peru’s long night of fear might be ending — if the government can pull it off. But all this hangs on results: fewer murders, fewer extortion rings, and restored public confidence.
In a country where leadership turns over too fast, this is Jerí’s chance to prove he can govern through action, not rhetoric.
