When Harvey Corchado assumed command of a police unit tasked with investigating corruption crimes, his role gained notoriety in March 2024 when he led an operation that targeted both government headquarters and the home of then-Peruvian President Dina Bolarte. The procedure is part of an investigation known as the “Rolex Affair,” in which the president is being investigated on charges of unjust enrichment and bribery. The former police chief has now entered the political scene, confirming that he will run for parliament in the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 2026. As reported by RPP Media, Corchado said that the roots of corruption are in the Peruvian Congress, which is why he decided to quit the police force and seek a seat in Congress.
According to information released by the RPP, Mr. Corchado announced this Monday his intention to contest for a position in the new bicameral parliament and said he would consider which party to run for. The former official stated that his aim was to combat corruption within the legislature itself. The statement was accompanied by a direct criticism of the current Congress, accusing it of pushing laws that, from his perspective, encourage crime and condone wrongdoing by big corporations.
Corchado also questioned members of Congress over practices such as employing family members, self-increasing salaries, and improper selection of judges for both the Constitutional Court and the National Judicial Commission. RPP reported that the colonel expressed concern about the legislature’s attempts to modify the judicial system to align prosecutors and judges with the parliament’s particular interests.
Col. Harvey Corchado gained national recognition by leading a judicial investigation related to President Dina Bolarte. In March 2024, he oversaw authorized search warrants on official and private addresses associated with the presidency in connection with the Rolex case. The investigation process was one of the most significant police interventions against a sitting head of state in the country’s recent history. After this act, Corchado was removed from the police force specializing in corruption crimes at the end of the year, according to the RPP.
Corchado’s announcement of candidacy comes two years before parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12, 2026. On that day, Peruvians will not only elect a president, but also members of a new parliament that will operate on a bicameral model. According to a report from the RPP, the organizational transition under Bolarte’s successor will see José Geri take over the executive branch.
Mr. Corchado’s remarks demonstrate a critical stance towards the internal affairs of the Peruvian Congress. His comments highlight existing dissatisfaction with the current political class and management system that, according to him, enables corruption and clientelism. According to the RPP, the former official asserted from his point of view the influence that parliament has over other key institutions of democracy, such as courts and the judiciary.
The 2026 election process will take place amidst growing public distrust of both executive and parliamentary authorities. The situation, as detailed by RPP Media, is marked by a public investigation into corruption against senior officials, including former President Bolarte, who is indicted on charges of illicit enrichment and bribery in the framework of the Rolex case.
With this announcement, Corchado proposed to end his previous career in the police force and stated that he would not seek to return to the force. His focus is now entirely on his political career, with his stated intention to propose alternatives in legislative matters and to control corruption in parliament. According to the RPP, the former police chief is currently considering various political party options to officially run for office.
Corchado’s agenda includes criticism of the regulations approved by Congress, which he described as “promoting crime.” RPP reports that he also opposes debt relief for large corporations and controversial judicial appointments, issues that are hotly debated in public opinion.
Peru’s electoral scenario involves a variety of figures, like Corchado, who come from areas associated with the management of justice and legitimacy. In elections scheduled for April 2026, the people will choose the next president and members of the bicameral parliament, a process that will be led by President José Geri after Bolarte steps down, according to the RPP. While political and judicial decisions on corruption cases will continue to dominate the national debate, a new cycle of candidates with backgrounds in crime fighting and institutional oversight will emerge.
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