Peru’s electoral authority has announced plans to distribute bulletproof vests to presidential candidates ahead of the elections set for April 2026, following a troubling series of attacks on politicians in the Andean nation. Roberto Burneo, the president of Peru’s National Jury of Elections, expressed concerns that the upcoming election cycle could see increased violence compared to the 2021 campaign, which witnessed nearly 50 violent incidents.
Burneo emphasized the importance of preemptive measures to identify and mitigate risks, stating, “No effort should be spared, even if it means going to the extreme of using bulletproof vests.” Election officials and staff will also be equipped with protective gear, though it remains uncertain if candidates for lower offices will receive the same level of protection.
The elections on April 12 will see voters electing a president, two vice presidents, and 190 members of the national legislature. A total of 39 political parties or coalitions are anticipated to field candidates, a significant increase from the 18 parties in the previous election.
Recent polling data from Ipsos Peru indicates that no current presidential candidates have gained substantial support, with none expected to receive more than 10%. Therefore, a runoff election is likely to occur on June 7.
This heightened focus on security comes in the wake of a violent incident where Rafael Belaunde, a potential presidential candidate for the Libertad Popular party, was fired upon while in his vehicle in Lima. In response, Belaunde returned gunfire, though he later clarified that he believed the attack was more street crime than a politically motivated act.
Tragically, violence has already claimed the life of Percy Ipanaque, a legislative candidate for the leftist Juntos por el Peru party, who was shot dead in northern Peru by alleged assassins.
Peru’s political environment has been tumultuous, characterized by the turnover of seven presidents in just as many years, with many facing legal troubles. Current President Jose Jeri, who assumed leadership from former President Dina Boluarte in October, declared a state of emergency shortly after taking office to address rising insecurity, a primary concern for voters according to recent surveys.
The measures being implemented by Peru’s electoral authority reflect a commitment to safeguard candidates and ensure a more secure election process amid ongoing political challenges in the country.
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