Peru’s President Declares National Emergency After Shocking Murder

Peru’s president declared a state of emergency in Lima following the murder of popular singer Paul Flores, deploying troops to combat a wave of violent crime that has left over 400 dead since January.

Quick Takes

The 30-day state of emergency suspends constitutional rights, allowing authorities to detain suspects without judicial orders.
Singer Paul Flores of Armonía 10 was killed by hitmen after a concert, triggering nationwide outrage.
Police reported 459 killings in the first 11 weeks of the year and over 1,900 extortion cases in January alone.
Opposition lawmakers are seeking a no-confidence vote against Interior Minister Juan José Santiváñez.
Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua is believed to be fueling the rise in extortion and murder.

Singer’s Murder Ignites National Security Crisis

The assassination of Paul Flores, lead singer of the beloved cumbia group Armonía 10, has become the breaking point for Peruvians fed up with escalating crime. Flores was gunned down by hitmen on Sunday after a concert, reportedly having received threats from a criminal gang. His death prompted President Dina Boluarte to take drastic action, declaring a state of emergency in Lima and surrounding areas while ordering military deployment to support overwhelmed police forces in the capital region.

Peru declares an emergency and deploys the army as violence surges in the capital https://t.co/TElIrHhwrB

— TIME (@TIME) March 18, 2025

Peru’s culture ministry noted that Flores had “won the hearts of thousands of Peruvians,” underscoring the personal impact of this murder on the nation. The singer’s death comes amid staggering statistics that reveal the depth of the security crisis: police have recorded 459 killings from January 1 through March 16, and a shocking 1,909 extortion reports in January alone. Officials believe the actual number of extortion cases is significantly higher, as many victims refuse to report crimes out of fear.

Emergency Powers and Military Response

The emergency decree will last 30 days and significantly restricts constitutional rights, including freedom of assembly and movement. This extraordinary measure gives authorities the power to detain suspects without judicial orders and conduct property searches with minimal oversight.

This is not Peru’s first attempt to use emergency powers to combat crime. A similar state of emergency was decreed from September to December last year after a string of murders targeting bus drivers. The recurring need for such extraordinary measures highlights the persistent failure of standard policing approaches to control the wave of violence engulfing the nation’s capital. The current crisis has been exacerbated by a weekend explosion at a Lima restaurant that injured at least 11 people.

Political Fallout and Foreign Criminal Influence

The security breakdown has created political turmoil, with opposition lawmakers formally requesting a vote of no confidence against Interior Minister Juan José Santiváñez. This motion is expected to be debated in Congress later this week, potentially deepening the government’s crisis. Critics argue that the administration has failed to develop and implement effective long-term security strategies, instead relying on reactionary emergency measures after high-profile incidents.

Law enforcement officials attribute much of the spike in violence to the growing influence of foreign criminal organizations, particularly Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang. This notorious organization has expanded its operations throughout South America, bringing sophisticated extortion networks and brutal enforcement tactics. In the first 10 months of 2024 alone, Peruvian police received over 14,000 extortion complaints, though officials acknowledge this represents only a fraction of actual cases due to widespread underreporting by terrified victims.