Peru’s President Dina Boluarte has declared a state of emergency in the capital, Lima, amid growing violence. The measure will last for 30 days and restrict some rights, including freedom of assembly and movement. The government plans to deploy soldiers to help police address the surge in killings, violent extortion, and attacks on public places.
The declaration comes after a popular singer, Paul Flores, was killed in an attack on his bus after a concert. Police reported 459 killings from January 1 to March 16, and 1,909 extortion reports in January alone. Opposition lawmakers have requested a vote of no confidence against the Interior Minister, citing a lack of a plan to tackle rising violence.
The government had previously declared a state of emergency between September and December to combat violence, but it appears that efforts have not been effective enough. The declaration is also linked to a recent explosion at a restaurant in Lima, which injured 11 people over the weekend.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/peru-state-of-emergency-violence-singer-death-f2a2addd25f983dec817fda0a25062cf