(March 18): Peruvian authorities declared a 30-day state of emergency in the nation’s capital city on Monday, after a singer’s murder again raised alarm about extortion rackets.

Peruvians have been protesting against extortion rackets impacting all sorts of economic sectors, including public transportation, shops, schools and music bands. The murder of Paul Flores, one of the vocalists of cumbia band Armonia 10, over the weekend is pressuring the government to act and underscores that the situation isn’t under control. Music groups in particular have raised their voice in the murder’s wake to denounce rising rates of extortion rackets.

Flores was killed as assailants shot at the bus regularly used by Armonia 10 to transport its members, in what police suspect was an attack following a demand for extortion payments.

States of emergency are a very common government tactic in Peru and significant parts of Lima had already been under one in recent months. They suspend civil liberties such as the right to assembly and free transit and allow the military to police streets. But the last time the entire capital was put in a state of emergency was in 2022.

Besides crime, states of emergency are used to quell social protests that disrupt key mines as well as to facilitate the delivery of aid during environmental disasters. Critics say they are ineffective and point out that previous iterations have failed to curb public safety threats.

The government announced its intention to declare the state of emergency Sunday evening but had yet to actually implement it as of Monday afternoon.

The administration of President Dina Boluarte has struggled to find effective responses to rising crime other than declaring new states of emergency and promising a tough stance on crime. Her 5% popularity rate has for months been among the lowest in the world. On Monday, Boluarte told an audience of school children that she was considering enacting the death penalty in Peru, although international treaties would present roadblocks to implementing it.

Several opposition parties in congress have said they are now supportive of firing Interior Minister Juan Jose Santivanez, whose role entails overseeing the police and public safety. If congress takes action, it could censure and fire Santivanez in a matter of days. An Ipsos poll published last week showed 83% of Peruvians think Santivanez should resign.

Authorities insist they have dismantled dozens of criminal gangs and congress earlier this month declared the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organisation, following a similar decision made in the US under President Donald Trump.

Uploaded by Magessan Varatharaja