Peru declares a state of emergency in Lima following the murder of beloved musician Paul Flores, deploying troops to combat soaring extortion and violence as political tensions reach a breaking point.
Key Insights
- Lima’s state of emergency suspends certain constitutional rights for 30 days, allowing authorities to detain suspects without judicial orders.
- Popular cumbia singer Paul Flores’ assassination by hitmen sparked nationwide outrage and highlighted the growing extortion crisis.
- Police have reported 459 killings in less than three months and over 14,000 extortion complaints in 2024 alone.
- The violence has triggered political turmoil with opposition lawmakers seeking a vote of no confidence against the Interior Minister.
- Criminal organizations, including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, have been implicated in the surge of violence.
Crisis in the Capital
Peru’s President Dina Boluarte has declared a state of emergency in Lima following the shocking murder of popular singer Paul Flores, frontman of the cumbia group Armonía 10. The culture ministry noted that Flores had “won the hearts of thousands of Peruvians,” making his murder particularly devastating to the public. The 30-day emergency decree restricts several constitutional rights, including freedom of assembly and movement, while authorizing military deployment to support police operations. The emergency measures permit authorities to conduct searches and detain suspects without judicial orders, reflecting the government’s urgent response to escalating violence that has claimed hundreds of lives in recent months.
Peru declares an emergency and deploys the army as violence surges in the capital https://t.co/TElIrHhwrB
— TIME (@TIME) March 18, 2025
According to police reports, 459 killings occurred between January 1 and March 16, alongside 1,909 extortion reports in January alone. The violence hasn’t been limited to targeted killings – an explosion at a Lima restaurant injured at least 11 people over the weekend, further demonstrating the deteriorating security situation in the capital.
Extortion Crisis
Criminal gangs, including Venezuela’s notorious Tren de Aragua, have intensified extortion operations throughout Peru. Business owners, taxi drivers, and even celebrities like Flores face threats demanding “protection payments” with deadly consequences for non-compliance. Law enforcement agencies have documented over 14,000 extortion complaints in the first ten months of 2024, though experts believe the actual number is significantly higher due to fear-based underreporting.
This isn’t Peru’s first attempt to use emergency powers to combat rising crime. A previous state of emergency was declared from September to December last year in response to the murders of bus drivers who refused to pay extortion money. That effort produced limited results, raising questions about the effectiveness of the current measures without more comprehensive reforms to address corruption and strengthen law enforcement capabilities.
Political Fallout
The security crisis has intensified political divisions in Peru’s already fragile government. Opposition lawmakers have formally requested a vote of no confidence against Interior Minister Juan José Santiváñez, criticizing the administration’s failure to contain the violence. This parliamentary challenge is expected to be debated later this week, potentially destabilizing President Boluarte’s government at a critical moment. The political uncertainty compounds the difficulties in implementing a coherent security strategy.
The state of emergency grants extraordinary powers to security forces, but questions remain about the underlying factors driving the violence. Criminal organizations have exploited weaknesses in Peru’s justice system and the economic vulnerability of many citizens. Without addressing these root causes, military intervention may provide only temporary relief from the security crisis that has transformed Peru’s capital into a battleground between the state and increasingly bold criminal enterprises.
Sources:
- Popular singer shot dead by hitmen in Peru, prompting state of emergency in capital over extortion killings
- Peru declares an emergency and deploys the army as violence surges in the capital
- Peru declares emergency and deploys army as violence surges in the capital
