Peruvian Congress Ousts Interior Minister Amid Rising Crime Concerns
LIMA, Peru – The Peruvian Congress issued a vote of no confidence on Friday, resulting in the removal of the Interior Minister from his post. Lawmakers determined that Juan José Santiváñez failed to effectively address the escalating issue of violent crime throughout the Andean nation.
Minister Santiváñez Removed Following No-Confidence Vote
Following the decisive vote, which saw 78 members of Congress in favor of his dismissal, 11 against, and 20 abstentions, Santiváñez is legally obligated to vacate his position within 72 hours. Despite asserting his dedication to working with law enforcement during his ten-month tenure, Santiváñez stated he would respect the decision made by the legislative body.
Congress Cites “Inability to Address Citizen Insecurity”
The Peruvian Congress communicated via their X account that Santiváñez must step down and accept accountability for his “inability to tackle the growing wave of citizen insecurity impacting the nation.” This statement underscores the legislature’s dissatisfaction with his strategies to combat crime.
Public Anger Escalates Due to Increased Violence
A surge in public indignation has been fueled by a marked increase in homicides and various forms of violence. The recent fatal shooting of Paul Flores, the 39-year-old lead vocalist of the popular cumbia group Armonia 10, has particularly ignited public outrage. Flores was killed in an attack on his band’s tour bus after a performance in Lima.
State of Emergency Declared in Capital After Singer’s Death
In response to the killing of Flores, President Dina Boluarte declared a state of emergency in Lima on Monday. She authorized the deployment of military personnel to support police efforts in confronting the escalating violence. Coinciding with this declaration, opposition parliamentarians formally requested the no-confidence vote against the now-removed Interior Minister.
Prior State of Emergency Measures
Boluarte’s administration had previously implemented a state of emergency from September to December in an earlier attempt to curb the rising tide of violence across Peru.
Surge in Homicide Rates
Official statistics indicate a stark increase in homicides, with authorities reporting 2,057 killings in 2024, a significant rise from the 1,506 recorded in the previous year, 2023.