Keiko Fujimori has pledged a hard-line "mano firme" policy to combat crime and restore public order in Peru.
The initiative arrives as the country struggles with rising crime rates and public insecurity, issues that became central pillars of the recent presidential election.
Fujimori, a conservative politician, first detailed these promises during the presidential campaign in March 2026. At the time, she made these specific campaign promises a little more than two weeks before the election [1]. The proposed strategy emphasizes a strict approach to law enforcement to curb the violence affecting the population, particularly in the capital city of Lima.
After winning the election, Fujimori assumed the presidency on a Tuesday in July 2026 [2]. Upon taking office, she said she was committed to facing the challenges of delinquency. The "mano firme" approach is designed to address the systemic insecurity that has plagued the nation, though the strategy faced criticism from political rivals during the campaign cycle.
Fujimori's transition from candidate to president marks a significant shift in the country's executive leadership. Her administration is now tasked with moving these campaign promises into actionable government policy. The focus remains on restoring order through aggressive policing and security measures.
While the specific legislative steps of the "mano firme" policy are still unfolding, the administration has signaled that public safety is the primary priority for the new government. This focus is intended to stabilize the social environment in Lima and other urban centers where crime has surged.
“Keiko Fujimori has pledged a hard-line "mano firme" policy to combat crime”
The implementation of a "mano firme" (firm hand) policy suggests a shift toward securitization in Peru, prioritizing immediate order and deterrence over rehabilitative or social-preventative measures. By centering her presidency on a hard-line approach to crime, Fujimori is aligning her administration with a broader regional trend in Latin America where conservative leaders utilize strict security mandates to address public anxiety over gang violence and urban instability.
