Roberto Sánchez Palomino, presidential candidate for Juntos por el Perú (JP), recently denounced what he described as a “mafia pact” currently governing the country in its own interest. Speaking at a rally in Chiclayo, Sánchez directed his criticism at his political rival, Keiko Fujimori, accusing her of exerting control over legislative proceedings through the Fuerza Popular bench. However, legislative records from the 2021-2026 period reveal that Sánchez has frequently aligned his votes with initiatives supported by the fujimorismo faction.
Did You Know? The legislative record shows that Roberto Sánchez voted for the controversial Law 31989 on March 13, 2024. This law removed the criteria previously used to exclude miners from the Integral Mining Formalization Registry (REINFO), effectively limiting the ability of the National Police to intervene against individuals using explosives illegally or those linked to criminal organizations.
Legislative Alignment and Mining Policy
Beyond the March 2024 vote, Sánchez also supported the extension of the REINFO on December 4, 2025, allowing it to remain in effect until the end of 2026 or until new regulations for small-scale and artisanal mining are implemented. This decision drew opposition from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, which warned that the lack of formalization could facilitate the expansion of illegal mining. According to César Ipenza Peralta, spokesperson for the Observatory of Illegal Mining, neither Juntos por el Perú nor Fuerza Popular has proposed measures to eliminate the REINFO, suggesting a continued reliance on existing frameworks.
The economic implications of these legislative choices are significant. Economist José de Echave of CooperAcción has noted a growing discrepancy between official gold production and export volumes, with over 100 tons of gold exported in 2025 in excess of official domestic production. Experts suggest that the informal and illegal mining sector currently moves approximately US$15.000 million within the Peruvian economy.
Erosion of Democratic Practices
Sánchez’s voting record also reflects broader cooperation with Fuerza Popular on matters beyond mining. On December 14, 2023, he joined in the vote to eliminate the Open, Simultaneous, and Mandatory Primaries (PASO), a move that restricts citizen participation in the selection of political candidates. Juntos por el Perú facilitated the appointment of Josué Gutiérrez Cóndor as Ombudsman on May 18, 2023, and supported the selection of several magistrates to the Tribunal Constitucional in 2022.
Expert Insight: The legislative record of the 2021-2026 period suggests a complex intersection of political interests. While public discourse from candidates often emphasizes ideological divides, the alignment between Juntos por el Perú and Fuerza Popular on key votes—ranging from the modification of mining oversight to the restructuring of high-level judicial bodies—indicates that partisan competition may not preclude shared legislative agendas. Voters may find these inconsistencies central to evaluating the candidates’ stated commitments to reform.
Future Implications
As the election cycle continues, the candidate’s recent call to repeal “pro-crime laws” faces scrutiny regarding his own legislative history. If these patterns of voting persist, observers expect continued debate over the influence of legislative pacts on the judicial and electoral landscape. The ongoing expansion of informal mining and the potential for further legislative extensions remain key indicators of how these political alliances may impact the country’s institutional stability moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the “pro-crime” label applied to legislation like Law 31989?
The law is described this way because it removes criteria for excluding miners from the REINFO, thereby restricting the National Police from taking action against individuals found with illegal explosives or those involved in criminal mining operations.
How has the composition of the Tribunal Constitucional affected recent legal cases?
The Tribunal, formed with votes from various benches including Juntos por el Perú, has issued rulings that led to the release of Alberto Fujimori, the reinstatement of judges and prosecutors investigated in the “Los Cuellos Blancos del Puerto” case, and the invalidation of legal proceedings against Keiko Boluarte and others in the “Cócteles” case.
What was the role of Juntos por el Perú in the removal of National Justice Board (JNJ) magistrates?
Fuerza Popular, with broad support in the Congress, successfully pushed for the in-session vote to disqualify magistrates Inés Tello de Ñecco and Aldo Vásquez Ríos on March 7, 2024, following an initial failed attempt and a subsequent successful reconsideration.
How will the disconnect between campaign rhetoric and past voting records influence the upcoming electoral results?
