President Dina Boluarte declared a 30-day state of emergency in the capital on Monday, deploying soldiers to assist police in curbing a wave of violence that has gripped Peru, following the murder of Paul Flores, the 39-year-old lead singer of the cumbia band Armonia 10. The decree restricts freedoms of assembly and movement, allowing police and military to detain individuals without judicial orders, as the nation reels from escalating crime.

Flores was gunned down early Sunday when assailants attacked his band’s bus post-concert in Lima, sparking public fury. The weekend also saw a restaurant explosion in the capital, injuring 11, compounding fears. Police data reveals 459 killings between January 1 and March 16, alongside 1,909 extortion cases in January alone, highlighting a sharp rise in violent incidents. Boluarte’s move echoes a prior emergency from September to December, which failed to halt the trend.

In response, opposition lawmakers in Congress have pushed for a no-confidence vote against Interior Minister Juan Jose Santivanez, criticizing his lack of a coherent anti-crime strategy—a debate set for later this week. Flores’ killing, tied to Peru’s beloved cumbia music tradition of drums and maracas, has galvanized calls for action, with posts on X reflecting outrage and demands for accountability.

Boluarte’s government, facing a 71% disapproval rating per a recent Ipsos poll, is under pressure as extortion rackets and public attacks surge. The army’s deployment aims to restore order, but critics question its efficacy, recalling past emergency measures’ limited impact. As Lima braces for tighter control, the violence—now claiming cultural icons—tests Peru’s fragile stability, with no clear end in sight.