- 30-day state of emergency suspends assembly rights, enables military patrols
- Over 450 homicides recorded between January-March 2024
- Popular cumbia singer Paul Flores killed in targeted bus attack
- 11 injured in restaurant explosion amid weekend violence spike
Peru’s President Dina Boluarte has mobilized army troops to Lima following a deadly surge in extortion, armed assaults, and targeted killings. The 30-day state of emergency grants security forces expanded detention powers while restricting public gatherings – a controversial response to homicides increasing 18% year-over-year. Analysts attribute the crisis to escalating gang disputes over drug trafficking corridors and protection rackets targeting small businesses.
The tipping point came with Sunday’s assassination of Armonia 10 frontman Paul Flores, whose death during a post-concert ambush sparked nationwide outrage. Police data reveals nearly 2,000 extortion reports in January alone, disproportionately affecting market vendors and transport operators. This mirrors Ecuador’s 2023 security collapse, where hybrid gangs paralyzed cities until military intervention reduced homicides by 26% within six months – a potential blueprint for Peru.
Opposition lawmakers are demanding Interior Minister Santiváñez’s resignation, criticizing his delayed response to intelligence warnings about arming of criminal cells. Meanwhile, economists warn prolonged instability could deter $1.2B in tourism revenue as historic sites like Machu Picchu report 15% fewer bookings. The government’s prior 2023 emergency decree briefly stabilized hotspots like Callao port district through vehicle checkpoints and nighttime curfews – measures now expanding nationwide.
