A Peruvian court has ordered 15 days of preliminary detention for Ronald José Toro Ardila and Luis Obispo Díaz over the murder of journalist and political candidate Susy Aponte.
The Public Ministry is investigating both suspects for alleged contract killing following the fatal shooting of Aponte, who was running for the Regional Government of Áncash under the moniker La China Polo.
Prosecutors identified Luis Iván Obispo Díaz as the alleged gunman who opened fire on the candidate at a local market. Investigators allege that Toro Ardila, 29, coordinated the logistics from Lima that led to the death of Aponte.
Under Peruvian criminal procedure, preliminary detention allows law enforcement officers to hold suspects while prosecutors gather urgent evidence prior to formal indictment. Contract killing, known locally as sicariato, is classified as a severe offense under Peru's penal code.
Court videoconference and prosecutorial proceedings
Judge Miguel Dueña Sarce presided over the preliminary detention hearing, which was conducted via videoconference. Toro Ardila joined the remote legal proceeding from a police station in Caraz, while Obispo Díaz connected from the Víctor Ramos Guardia Hospital in Huaraz.
The Second Provincial Penal Corporate Prosecution Office of Huaylas stated that the 15-day detention window will be used to execute urgent investigative actions. Homicide detectives from the National Police of Peru will record witness statements and inspect local security camera footage. Prosecutorial officials indicated that investigators are also working to identify any other individuals who may have participated in the crime.
The Public Ministry functions as Peru's autonomous prosecutorial authority, responsible for directing criminal investigations. Caraz is the capital of Huaylas Province, located in the high-altitude Callejon de Huaylas valley, while Huaraz serves as the departmental capital of the Áncash region in northern Peru.
Stolen police firearm recovered at market scene
During the arrest of Obispo Díaz, police officers seized a 9 by 19 mm Glock pistol bearing serial number BTVG236. A personal search of the suspect also uncovered a firearm license issued to Christian James Arévalo Calderón, a sub-officer in the National Police of Peru.
Police confirmed that the seized weapon belonged to Sub-officer Arévalo Calderón. Official records show the pistol had been reported stolen in Villa El Salvador, a district in southern Metropolitan Lima, on November 15, 2023.
The National Police of Peru, abbreviated as PNP, is the national law enforcement agency responsible for domestic security. Villa El Salvador is one of the major urban districts forming the southern section of Lima, located over 400 kilometers south of the Áncash region.
Market shootout and suspect arrests
Obispo Díaz failed to escape from the market following the shooting. According to witnesses, candidate Aponte's security detail returned fire during the ambush, striking the suspect up to three times. One of the gunshots grazed his face near his mouth.
Local residents and associates of Aponte subdued Obispo Díaz at the scene until municipal serenazgo patrol officers and National Police agents arrived to take him into custody. Serenazgo units are municipal security teams maintained by local district councils across Peru to assist police in maintaining public order.
Hours later, police intelligence personnel arrested Toro Ardila in Surco, a district in Lima. Police have not ruled out that Toro Ardila acted as the financier of the attack. Detectives are investigating whether he booked the lodging used by Obispo Díaz from September 16 and whether he arranged his transport to Caraz.
Political fallout and parliamentary motion
Following the killing of Aponte, the political coalition Juntos por el Perú announced a motion of censure against Peru's Minister of the Interior. The assassination of the candidate and journalist has sparked widespread concern over political violence and regional security across the country.
