Peru Declares State of Emergency Amid Rising Crime Wave
Peru has declared a state of emergency in its capital, Lima, in response to a surge in violence and criminal activity. The decree, announced late Monday by the government of President Dina Boluarte, will see troops deployed on the streets of Lima for 30 days. This measure grants the military and police the power to detain individuals with minimal restrictions. The declaration follows the tragic death of a popular cumbia singer, Paul Flores, who was killed in a criminal attack on Sunday while traveling on a bus. His death, coupled with a recent bombing at a restaurant that injured several, has sparked public outrage.
In recent months, Peru has witnessed a rise in violent crimes such as killings, extortion, and attacks on public spaces. From January 1 to March 16, police reported 459 homicides and nearly 2,000 extortion cases in January alone. This crime wave has prompted calls for more severe punishment, with President Boluarte suggesting the death penalty for murderers, though such executions are only legal for convicted traitors in Peru.
Opposition lawmakers have also criticized the government’s handling of the crisis, with some demanding a vote of no confidence against the Minister of the Interior, Juan Jose Santivanez, for lacking a concrete plan to address the growing violence. This vote is expected to take place in the Congress later this week.
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