Peru declares emergency in capital after murder of singer spurs action on extortion crimes

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 transport, shops, schools and music bands.

The murder of Paul Flores, one of the vocalists of cumbia band Armonia 10, over the weekend pressured the government to act and underscored that the situation was not 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 were 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.