LIMA, Peru — On Friday, Peru’s legislative body decided to dismiss the nation’s interior minister due to criticisms surrounding his management of rising criminal activities in the region. The minister, Juan José Santiváñez, is legally required to vacate his office within 72 hours following a no-confidence vote, which concluded with 78 in favor, 11 opposing, and 20 choosing abstention. Although Santiváñez defended his efforts during his 10 months in the role, emphasizing his collaboration with the police force, he acknowledged and would comply with the legislative decision.
The command for Santiváñez to relinquish his duties stems from accusations of his “failure to confront the surge of public insecurity impacting the country,” as conveyed by the Peruvian Congress through an official statement. The public’s discontent has been heightened by a noticeable rise in violent crimes, notably marked by the death of Paul Flores, the 39-year-old leading vocalist of the popular cumbia music group, Armonia 10. Tragically, Flores was shot to death during an assault on the band’s tour bus following a performance in Lima.
In response to this incident, President Dina Boluarte declared a state of emergency in Lima on Monday, instructing the deployment of military forces to aid the police in curbing the escalating crime rate. On that very day, opposition members in Congress pushed for a no-confidence vote targeting the interior minister.
Preceding this recent decree, Boluarte’s administration had already implemented a state of emergency from September to December as an effort to tackle the growing violence. Official figures indicate that there have been 2,057 killings reported in 2024, an increase from 1,506 the previous year, 2023.
