Peru’s Fuerza Popular pushes security laws that could reshape crypto regulation under a Fujimori presidency

Peru’s largest congressional bloc is rewriting the country’s security playbook. Fuerza Popular, the right-wing party led by Keiko Fujimori, has leveraged its dominant position in Congress to push through a wave of legislation expanding police powers, militarizing borders, and shifting how security forces face prosecution.

Fujimori secured 17.19% of the vote in the first electoral round and will face a runoff in June 2026 as the front-runner for the presidency. The legislative blitz is laying groundwork for what would be a “mano dura” government, a term that translates to “iron fist” and carries unmistakable echoes of her father Alberto Fujimori’s anti-terrorism campaigns in the 1990s.

What Congress has actually done

Fuerza Popular’s congressional majority has enabled the passage of multiple security-focused laws during the 2025-2026 legislative sessions. The measures target extortion, organized crime, and broader public safety concerns.

One of the more controversial changes involves shifting some prosecutions of police and military personnel to institutional forums rather than civilian courts. If a soldier or police officer is accused of misconduct, the case may now be heard by their own institution’s tribunal instead of an independent court.

Critics have labeled some of these laws as effectively “pro-crime,” arguing they diminish accountability for security forces.

The investment angle and why crypto watchers should care

According to Chainalysis, Peru’s crypto transaction volume reached approximately $28 billion in 2025, a figure that reflects significant growth within the Latin American region.

Bitcoin adoption in Peru’s unbanked communities has been a quiet but meaningful trend. In a country where large portions of the population lack access to conventional financial services, peer-to-peer crypto transactions serve as a practical alternative.

Peru’s legal framework for cryptocurrencies remains essentially undefined. A congressional bill related to cryptoasset commercialization, identified as Bill No. 1042-2021-CR, has been pending without resolution. The legislation would establish clearer rules around how digital assets are bought, sold, and taxed within Peru’s borders.

What a Fujimori presidency could mean for digital assets

If Fujimori wins the June 2026 runoff, her administration would inherit both a security-first mandate and an unresolved crypto regulatory question. The pending cryptoasset bill gives Congress a ready-made vehicle for action if the political will materializes.

For investors and operators in Peru’s crypto ecosystem, the critical variable is not whether regulation arrives but what form it takes. A framework that provides legal clarity while preserving access could unlock substantial institutional participation in a market already processing $28 billion annually.

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