On June 20, 2022, she was elected as Attorney General of Peru[2] and was removed from her position on 7 December 2023 as a result of the Peruvian Public Ministry controversy.

[1] She also traveled to, and lived for a short period in, Spain, where she studied at Universidad de Jaen and obtained a master's degree in criminal law and constitutional guarantees.

[5] In 2009, Benavides used her recently-obtained degrees to pursue a career in the National Council of the Magistracy as a deputy prosecutor, though she was placed on reserve as her scores were not high enough for the position.

[9] Benavides announced investigations into Castillo's successor, Dina Boluarte, as well as others for actions committed during the 2022–2023 Peruvian political protests.

[3] In addition, the "Master in Civil and Commercial Law" degree did not exist in the state education system nor was it ever offered by the Universidad Alas Peruanas according to IDL-Reporteros.

[3] Benavides was also investigated for relationship with far-right politician Rafael López Aliaga, reportedly receiving gifts from him, and possible inconsistencies with her theses from her academic career.

[11][12][13] When former attorney general Martín Salas Zegarra raised concerns about Benavides' relationship with her sister Emma, he was blocked by Fujimorists of the Congressional Justice Commission.

[21][22][23] On 27 November 2023, special prosecutors in an investigation known as Operation Valkyrie V accused Benavides of leading a criminal network in an effort to maintain control of the Public Ministry and influence congress.