The president of Popular Action, Julio Chavezspoke after the party plenary session and pointed directly to Cinthia Pajuelo as responsible for the irregularities that led to the annulment of the internal elections and left the group out of the national electoral contest. According to him, the alteration of the registry of delegates was decisive for the ruling of the National Elections Jury (JNE).
During his statements, Julio Chavez He maintained that the party is going through one of the deepest crises in its recent history. He attributed this situation to decisions taken by the internal electoral leadership and to the lack of controls that allowed party democracy to be violated.
Chávez affirmed that the institutional damage has already been done and that Acción Popular must focus on a process of internal recomposition to avoid further political erosion.
In this context, the party leader confirmed that the organization will not participate in the 2026 general elections and that the immediate focus will be the renewal of cadres and the preparation for regional and municipal elections, in a scenario of strong citizen questioning.
Cinthia Pajuelo will face expulsion from the party and criminal complaints
Julio Chavez pointed out that Cinthia Pajueloformer president of the electoral committee of Popular Actionis “directly materially responsible” for the irregularities detected in the delegate election process. He stated that there was a “change” that allowed people who had not been formally elected to vote.
According to the president of the party, these events were decisive for the JNE to declare the primaries null and void. He indicated that the alteration of the internal process violated the basic principles of legality and transparency required of political organizations.
Chávez reported that the plenary session approved starting an expulsion process against Cinthia Pajueloin addition to promoting criminal complaints against her and against those who are responsible. He also mentioned the existence of an audio that would implicate other actors in the alleged fraud plot.
What will happen to the Popular Action congressmen who were seeking re-election?
The president of Popular Action confirmed that the plenary agreed not to authorize any militant to run for Congress or the Andean Parliament for other political groups. The decision seeks to avoid the use of the party as an individual negotiation platform.
Chávez explained that, although some congressmen are considering resigning, the legal deadline to apply for another organization has already expired. He specified that the only possible way would be a party authorization, which was expressly ruled out by the plenary session.
In this context, the leader of Acción Popular confirmed to La República the absence of congresswoman Maricarmen Alva in the plenary session. He indicated that he did not attend or participate in the decisions taken.
Alfredo Barnechea was vacated from the Government Plan
Another of the agreements adopted was the vacancy of Alfredo Barnechea as president of the government plan of Popular Action. Julio Chavez He reported that the measure was taken due to his non-attendance at the plenary session and the lack of explanations regarding the party’s crisis.
The party president pointed out that this is an internal sanction contemplated in the statutes. He indicated that, at a critical moment, the absence of those with strategic responsibilities could not go unnoticed.
The departure of Alfredo Barnechea marks a new chapter in the internal reconfiguration of Acción Popular. According to Chávez, the party needs active and committed leadership to face the upcoming renewal process.
