Boluarte announces the creation of the Ministry of Public Security to modernize security.

During her recent message for National Holidays, President Dina Boluarte announced an ambitious modernization plan for the Ministry of the Interior, which will include a name change to the Ministry of Public Security. This decision responds to the growing security needs of the country, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, mass migration, and the rise of organized crime and urban criminality. The President emphasized that this transformation aims to improve citizen services and coordination with other state entities, a goal considered vital to address the new challenges facing the country. The bill, which was urgently presented to Congress, proposes a series of modifications to Legislative Decree No. 1266, the Law of Organization and Functions of the Ministry of the Interior. Among the most significant changes is the redefinition of the ministry's scope of responsibilities, which will now focus on public security and internal order, allowing for a more effective response to current threats. In this way, it is expected that the new ministry will be able to act with greater agility and effectiveness in the face of complex issues that require immediate attention. President Boluarte highlighted that the changes will not be limited to nomenclature; new specific functions will be established for the Ministry of Public Security. These include the production and coordination of strategic intelligence related to organized crime and other national and international threats. Additionally, efforts will be made to eliminate any signs of corruption within the institution, promoting meritocracy and transparency. The proposal includes modifications to several articles of the Law of Organization and Functions, without representing an increase in public spending. This is a crucial point, as the government has emphasized on other occasions the importance of efficiency in the use of state resources. In this regard, it seeks for the new functions of the ministry to be executed within the framework of an existing structure, which would facilitate the transition to the proposed new model. The modification of Article 4 of the aforementioned decree implies that the Ministry of Public Security will have exclusive competencies at the national level in matters of internal and public order, as well as shared functions in citizen security. This suggests a more robust structure to face the challenges posed by security in the country. From the deputy minister's office, it is expected that the functional activities of the sector in these areas will be effectively planned, directed, and supervised. The government has proposed that the implementation of this new legal framework be carried out progressively, allowing all existing provisions that mention the Ministry of the Interior to be interpreted as referring to the new Ministry of Public Security. This gradual approach aims to ensure that the changes are integrated without causing disruptions in the services currently provided to citizens. Throughout the presentation of this proposal, the importance of citizen security as a fundamental right that must be guaranteed by the state has been underscored. The initiative also includes a focus on eradicating violence and promoting peaceful coexistence. Here, the government aims to work not only on crime repression but also on prevention, highlighting the relevance of creating safe and suitable public spaces for all citizens. It is recognized that one of the main challenges will be to enhance the civil service made up of highly trained officials. In this aspect, the proposal aligns with international recommendations, such as those from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which advocate for strengthening the capacities of security ministries in violence prevention and in providing people-centered services. The creation of the Ministry of Public Security also aims to foster greater collaboration among the various state agencies involved in security. The idea is that this new comprehensive approach will allow for the development of policies that effectively address the various dimensions of security, including active participation from the population in identifying and solving community problems. In summary, President Dina Boluarte's announcement represents a significant step toward the modernization of public security in Peru. With this change, it is expected that the new Ministry of Public Security will not only improve the response to crisis situations but also establish a framework of trust and collaboration between the state and citizens, where security is seen as a public good that everyone must contribute to protect and cultivate.