President of the Judiciary warns about cuts that threaten justice in Peru.

In an increasingly tense political context, the president of the Judiciary (PJ), Javier Arévalo, has raised his voice against the budget cuts that his institution has suffered for the year 2025. During the ceremony for Judge's Day, held at the Palace of Justice, Arévalo described the decision to reduce S/3.5 billion from the budget as "arbitrary" and detrimental to the functioning of the judiciary, which could have serious repercussions in the fight against crime in the country. The cut, which the PJ president attributes to a "mid-level official," has generated significant discontent not only within the Judiciary but also in other state institutions, which see this action as a sign of disorganization and disrespect among the branches of government. In his speech, Arévalo was clear in stating that this decision had not been discussed with senior officials in the Executive, such as the head of the Cabinet, Gustavo Adrianzén, or the Minister of Economy, José Arista. "This is unacceptable," he declared. Law 28821, which establishes coordination between the Judiciary and the Executive for budget allocation, was cited by Arévalo as a legal framework that has been ignored in this cut. The lack of dialogue and unilateral decision-making by a lower-ranking official not only contradicts the spirit of this law but also jeopardizes fundamental judicial projects planned for the coming year. The PJ president also emphasized that this cut directly affects the implementation of flagrant units, which have proven effective in the fight against crime. "You know the success these units have, but with this cut, the possibility of continuing to implement them is destroyed," Arévalo stated, warning that the reduction of resources could lead to greater impunity and an increase in crime rates. Arévalo's intervention did not stop there. He also made a direct appeal to President Dina Boluarte to intercede with the Minister of Economy to express her discontent regarding the impact of this measure on the judiciary. "This harms your administration," he asserted, referring to the consequences it could have on public perception of the government's ability to tackle security challenges. Arévalo's concern is not unfounded. In a country where organized crime is advancing rapidly, the weakening of institutions responsible for ensuring justice could open the door to an even more complicated scenario. "Let us not be surprised if in the upcoming elections, candidates financed by drug trafficking and illegal mining occupy a place in parliamentary representation," he warned, emphasizing the urgency of acting before it is too late. The situation is further complicated by a recent proposal for a bill aimed at promoting the accountability of judges and prosecutors, driven by the brother of fugitive Vladimir Cerrón. This project has raised a series of alarms about the dangers it poses to judicial independence. Some experts warn that such initiatives could be used as tools of pressure against magistrates, which could compromise the already fragile balance of powers in the country. The combination of these factors highlights the delicate situation facing the Peruvian judicial system. With significant budget cuts and proposed laws threatening the autonomy of judges and prosecutors, the legitimacy of the Judiciary finds itself at a crossroads. Meanwhile, citizens are increasingly concerned about how political decisions can severely harm their security and access to justice. The PJ president has called for reflection and dialogue, emphasizing that the fight against crime cannot be seen as an isolated task of one or another branch of the State. It is essential that there is effective coordination and real commitment from all sectors to address the challenges the country faces in terms of security and justice. Without this collaboration, the risk of witnessing a State weakened by corruption and organized crime becomes a highly probable scenario.