A Bukele-Style Fight Against Crime: José Jerí Seeks to Consolidate His Government Amid Criticism and Protests

A Bukele-Style Fight Against Crime: José Jerí Seeks to Consolidate His Government Amid Criticism and Protests

In recent days, Peru’s presidency released a series of images showing prisoners sitting in rows, hands on their heads and eyes to the ground. It also published photos of recently sworn-in President José Jerí, wearing jeans and sneakers, leading a simultaneous security operation across four of the country’s maximum-security prisons. The similarities are evident, and the message clear: the politician has adopted Bukele’s style to project a tough-on-crime image and strengthen his hold on power.

Jerí’s first days in office have been far from easy. As soon as the dismissal of Dina Boluarte and his succession as interim president were announced, questions arose about his leadership and his ability to address the problems Peruvians have been denouncing for years.

Many view the politician — the eighth head of state in less than a decade — as a continuation of Boluarte, given his ties to the parties that supported her in Congress and passed legislation benefiting criminals, contributing to the security crisis engulfing the country. Added to that are previous allegations of abuse and corruption — which he denies and attributes to “maneuvers” meant to damage his career — as well as controversial comments on social media that have further fueled public anger.

Social unrest peaked on Wednesday, when numerous members of Generation Z took to the streets demanding Jerí’s resignation and calling for an independent lawmaker to lead the country until July 28 of next year, the scheduled date for the transfer of power.

The protest began peacefully but quickly escalated into violent clashes that left at least one person dead and around a hundred injured, according to Peru’s Ombudsman’s Office.

Despite these “difficult times” the country is going through, the president declared on Thursday that he will not resign, reaffirming his determination to restore order and security.

Over the weekend, Jerí had already sought to project an image of leadership, control, and firm direction — qualities absent from Peruvian politics in recent years — with visits to the maximum-security prisons of Ancón I, Lurigancho, Challapalca, and El Milagro, where cell phones used for extortion and other crimes were seized.

He also led the large-scale operation Cyclone from the Castro Castro prison, carried out simultaneously at the Huaral, Picsi, and Huamancaca facilities.

“I have already declared war on crime and delinquency. I will do it, and I am doing it (…) We must be bold and daring to fight crime (…) I will be present with the Armed Forces and the police to regain territorial control of our country. This government works in unity and with determination to defeat criminal organizations,” the president stated, disregarding the similarities with Bukele, who has been accused by international observers of practices that “systematically violate” human rights.

It remains to be seen, however, whether this show of force will translate into tangible results on security — or at least help him consolidate his fragile authority in office.