Carlos Canales faces a recall vote amid criticism over insecurity in Miraflores.

Carlos Canales, the mayor of Miraflores, is facing a climate of uncertainty and discontent that threatens his administration, marked by a recall request driven by a segment of the population citing insecurity as their main concern. However, Canales argues that this perception is largely the result of media coverage that does not reflect the reality of the district. In his statements, the mayor contends that the increase in crime reports does not necessarily indicate a real rise in criminality, but may be influenced by demographic factors and the particular context of Miraflores. In his defense, the mayor points out that Miraflores, with a permanent population of approximately 100,000 inhabitants and a daily influx of over 500,000 visitors, presents a volume of reports that may seem alarming in statistics, but does not directly translate into an overwhelming environment of insecurity. Canales emphasizes that the figures for violent crimes are low compared to other, more populated and less touristy districts. In his view, comparisons should be made with a more detailed and not simplistic approach. One of the key points highlighted by the mayor is the decrease in reports of thefts in the district, which, according to his claims, dropped by 27% between July 2023 and July 2024. Despite other reports indicating that thefts have increased compared to previous years, Canales defends the importance of analyzing the data in a broader context and not getting swayed by sensationalist headlines that can distort reality. The mayor also spoke about the initiatives his administration has implemented to combat crime. According to him, the number of security personnel has increased, and advanced technology has been incorporated, such as security cameras and an artificial intelligence system, which has improved the response capacity to criminal incidents. With 617 fixed cameras and 125 body cameras in operation, the district has been equipped to address the safety of its citizens and visitors. In response to criticism regarding the lack of police personnel, Canales assures that his administration maintains a close collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior to ensure that Miraflores has sufficient staffing. However, he acknowledges that the number of police in the district has fluctuated dramatically in recent years and argues that an increase is needed to address the growth of tourist activity and, consequently, the security challenges. The approval of an extraordinary budget of 17.5 million soles by Congress is a point of hope for Canales, who states that these funds will be allocated for the acquisition of vehicles and drones, as well as for the construction of decentralized citizen security modules. This effort aims to strengthen surveillance and response mechanisms against crimes in the district. Nonetheless, the climate of tension and discontent persists, and the mayor suggests that there is a political component behind the complaints. The opposition, in his view, has taken insecurity as a banner to destabilize his administration and promote the recall request. Canales emphasizes that communication and transparency are fundamental to countering this negative perception, and that the municipality is willing to engage with residents and address their concerns. In this context, the mayor also faces criticism regarding the management of public spaces and the relationship with local merchants. He asserts that he has worked to balance the needs of all sectors and that his administration promotes the use of these spaces for cultural and recreational activities, rather than allowing disorder that could harm coexistence in the district. The challenge facing Carlos Canales is considerable, and his ability to manage the perception of insecurity and improve communication with the community will be crucial for his political future. In an environment where discontent seems to be growing, the mayor will need to find effective ways to connect with citizens and demonstrate that his administration is committed to the safety and well-being of everyone in Miraflores.