In an exclusive interview with teleSUR , the leader of Peru's Socialist Left Party, Martín Guerra, warned that the recent visit by former Blackwater boss and Academi founder Erik Prince represents "a key step toward the privatization of repression" in the Andean country, with the support of the mining industry and the direct sponsorship of economist Hernando de Soto .

“What the Peruvian state is doing is outsourcing repression ,” Guerra denounced, referring to Prince's arrival and his offer of “training” for police, military personnel, and civilians in regions affected by organized crime and informal mining. Former presidential candidate De Soto, known for his neoliberal stances, has acted as host to the controversial contractor, which for Guerra represents “ a second phase of his bloody formalization project .”

For the socialist leader, Prince's presence "will produce a paramilitary system in Peru ," serving national and transnational economic interests: "To recap: the law facilitates the existence of mafias, the extractive monopoly is in the hands of oligarchies, the flight of natural resources destroys jobs... what's missing? Well, parallel armies to repress disaffected populations."

Guerra refers specifically to Law 32108, approved in 2024 by Congress, which, according to legal experts, " dangerously modifies the concept of a criminal organization " and, in practice, paves the way for private actors to intervene in security matters without effective judicial oversight.

The Peruvian politician emphasized that Prince's visit comes amid growing state repression , with more than 70 deaths in social protests in 2022 and 2023 , as well as the rise of mafias and parallel economies linked to informal mining. "In May, 13 miners were murdered in a mine in the north. On July 12, another died during protests. Prince has already offered his services in all of these settings," he said.

In this context, Guerra warns: " Neo-fascism does not aspire to solutions but rather to the extermination of dissent . Private militarization will exacerbate social conflicts and serve to allocate territories to foreign interests, flouting all human rights."

Repercussions after Prince's arrival

Asked about the public's reaction, Guerra lamented that "the news has gone unnoticed in Lima ," where the dominant media narrative presents Prince as "a foreign vigilante" amid a crime crisis. " Boluarte lacks public approval, but since it's a de facto government, it doesn't need it ," he stated.

Guerra also blamed the Latin American governments that recognize Dina Boluarte as the legitimate president: " This dictatorship is a reign of impunity . Not only did they murder dozens of Peruvians, but Ms. Boluarte also raised her salary, receives perks, and enjoys the complicit silence of countries like Chile and Brazil."

From a regional perspective, the Peruvian leader warned that Prince's arrival fits into a strategy of continental neoconservatism promoted by Donald Trump , in alliance with figures such as Nayib Bukele, Javier Milei, Daniel Noboa, and Boluarte herself.

“Trump needs more leaders who don't disrupt the dynamics of capital in the region. It's no longer about bombing countries, but about using mercenaries to control populations, as the SS did in Germany or the fasci di combattimento in Italy ,” Guerra said, drawing a disturbing historical parallel.

Finally, Martín Guerra issued a warning to rural, indigenous, and popular communities that have historically been marginalized: " You will be the primary targets of the new privatized repressive apparatus . It's no longer just the state; now there's also the foreign mercenary company targeting the heart of Peru."