Peru Responds to Rising Violence in Capital with State of Emergency and Army Deployment

LIMA, Peru — The Peruvian president has declared a state of emergency in the nation’s capital and authorized the military to support police efforts in response to escalating violence, triggered in part by the recent murder of a well-known singer.

According to a government decree issued by President Dina Boluarte, the state of emergency will be in effect for 30 days. During this period, certain rights, such as the freedoms of assembly and movement, will be restricted. This grants the police and army the authority to detain individuals without a warrant.

Peru has experienced a surge in homicides, violent extortion cases, and attacks on public spaces in recent months. Police records indicate 459 homicides between January 1 and March 16, along with 1,909 extortion reports in January alone. Public anger intensified following the Sunday killing of Paul Flores, the 39-year-old lead vocalist of the cumbia band Armonia 10.

In response, opposition lawmakers in Congress have called for a vote of no confidence against Interior Minister Juan José Santiváñez, citing the perceived absence of a strategy to combat the rising violence. The congressional plenary is expected to discuss the vote later in the week.

Flores was fatally shot early Sunday morning when assailants targeted the bus he and his bandmates were traveling on after a concert in Lima. Cumbia is a Latin music genre characterized by danceable rhythms produced by drums, maracas, and other instruments.

The attack on the popular singer was not the only violent incident of the weekend. On Saturday, an explosion occurred at a restaurant in the capital, resulting in injuries to at least 11 people.

Boluarte’s administration had previously declared a state of emergency between September and December in an effort to curb violence.

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