He Judiciary declared the appeal presented by the defense of the regional governor of Callao founded, Ciro Castillo Rojo Salas, and annulled the preventive detention order against him in the framework of the investigation for alleged criminal organization and aggravated collusion. With this decision, the governor will continue to be investigated in freedom and is authorized to resume his duties from this Monday, February 2.
The resolution was issued by the Criminal Appeals Chamber, chaired by Judge René Martínez Castro, who revoked the first instance ruling that had ordered 24 months of preventive detentionin addition to ordering its location and capture. The referee concluded that the requirements required to impose the most burdensome measure were not sufficiently met, especially with regard to procedural danger.
With this decision, the Chalaca authority will continue to be investigated in freedom and would be enabled to resume its functions at the head of the Regional Government of Callao starting this Monday, February 2.
This case became known at the end of 2025, when the Public Ministry, through the Corporate Provincial Prosecutor’s Office Specialized in Corruption Crimes of Officials of Callao, requested measures against Castillo Rojo and others involved for alleged participation in a criminal organization, linked to the direction of more than 60 irregular public contracts during 2023 that would have caused economic damage of more than S/1.4 million to the State.
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It should be remembered that, in January of this year, the Judiciary accepted the request of the Public Ministry and issued preventive detention against Castillo Rojo considering that there were serious and well-founded elements of conviction regarding his alleged participation in the case known as Los Socios del Callao. The Prosecutor’s Office maintains that, during his tenure as regional governor, he would have joined a criminal organization that operated within the Regional Government of Callao to direct public contracts in favor of certain businessmen.
According to the tax thesis, Castillo Rojo would have had a key role in the alleged network, facilitating the irregular award of works and services in exchange for undue benefits. At the time, the Public Ministry also argued that there was a risk of flight and obstruction of the investigation, due to the political influence of the person under investigation and his alleged ability to interfere with the actions of witnesses.
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However, the Court considered that these risks were not duly proven, pointing out that the accused has domicile, work and family roots, in addition to having voluntarily presented himself before the authorities. Likewise, the court specified that the least burdensome measures are sufficient to guarantee their submission to the process, which is why it annulled preventive detention.
With this decision, Ciro Castillo Rojo will continue the process under appearance, subject to rules of conduct, while the tax proceedings progress. At the political-administrative level, the annulment of the precautionary measure allows resume the position of regional governor of Callaofrom which he was suspended after the arrest warrant issued against him.
The rules of conduct that Ciro Castillo must comply with during the process
After revoking the preventive detention, the First Criminal Court of Appeals of Callao ordered that Ciro Castillo Rojo Salas continue the criminal process under a regime of appearance with restrictionssubject to mandatory rules of conduct. Among the main measures imposed is the prohibition of being absent from the place where you reside without judicial authorizationas well as the obligation to attend all proceedings summoned by the Public Ministry or the Judiciarywithin the framework of the investigation that follows.
Along the same lines, the former regional governor of Callao must refrain from communicating, directly or indirectly, with the other investigated parties and with the witnesses in the casein addition to report any change of address and strictly comply with the provisions issued by the competent jurisdictional body. Failure to follow these rules could result in revocation of the measure and to the imposition of more severe personal coercion.
Ciro Castillo: what were the reasons for the request for preventive detention?
The Public Ministry requested 24 months of preventive detention against the regional governor of Callao, Ciro Castillo Rojo, by attributing alleged participation in a criminal organization and the crime of aggravated collusion, within the framework of the case known as Los Socios del Callao.
According to the fiscal thesis, Red Castle would have headed or, at least, had a determining role within an alleged network that operated within the Regional Government of Callao during the year 2023, with the objective of directing public contracts smaller than eight UIT in favor of previously agreed upon suppliers, avoiding selection processes and violating the State’s contracting regulations.
One of the main arguments of the prosecutor’s request was the alleged existence of serious and well-founded elements of conviction that would link the governor to these practices, including testimonial statements, control reports and the designation of officials considered key within the alleged organization, such as the head of Logistics of GORE Callao.
Likewise, the Prosecutor’s Office maintained that Castillo Rojo maintained direct links with a close advisor, identified as an intermediary between the governor’s office and favored suppliers, which would have allowed improper influence on administrative decisions.
Regarding the procedural danger, the Public Prosecutor’s Office alleged the risk of flight and obstruction of the investigation. Among their arguments were the ability of the person under investigation to influence witnesses and officials, as well as alleged facilities for leaving the country, due to his political and professional career.
However, these grounds were questioned by the defense and, finally, were not considered sufficient by the Criminal Appeals Chamber, which concluded that the elements presented did not meet the standard required to impose preventive detention, especially with regard to procedural danger and the intensity of the suspicion required by law.
