Interior Minister César Astudillo defended to Congress the continuity of Óscar Arriola as commander general of the National Police (PNP), arguing that current law establishes restrictions on his removal before completing two years in the post.
Astudillo said that all members of the police institution are subject to evaluation, though he clarified that decisions on senior positions must be aligned with the legal framework. The minister noted that senior police leadership has concrete objectives and must fulfil a mission and deliver results.
The official denied having granted Arriola special ratification. Arriola took up the post in September 2025 following the suspension of his predecessor, Víctor Zanabria. Astudillo explained that the rule approved by the previous Parliament restricts the removal of the PNP chief before two years, except in specific circumstances: death, commission of a flagrant crime, conviction for a wilful crime, severe physical impediment, or request for resignation.
The minister assured that he will not sign any provision contrary to current legislation. However, he announced that the Executive will promote a modification of the rule to establish different guidelines for the leadership of the police institution, arguing that "the rules have to be quite clear and well defined".
Arriola previously held the position of head of the Police General Staff and was national director of Criminal Investigation and chief of the Regional Terrorism Division in the Vraem, the country's largest coca-growing valley where drug trafficking coexists with remnants of the terrorist organisation Shining Path.
