State of emergency declared after Peruvian singer’s assassination

• Peruvian singer Paul Flores was ambushed and killed on his band’s tour bus. It prompted shockwaves across Peru and a government-declared state of emergency to address rising crime and extortion.
• Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén announced a 30-day state of emergency for Lima and Callao, authorizing warrantless searches, detentions, and the deployment of armed forces.
• Flores’ death highlights the escalating violence in Peru, exposing the growing threats of extortion and organized crime faced by businesses and performers.

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Beloved singer Paul Flores was shot and killed in an ambush on his band’s tour bus Sunday night. His murder has sent shockwaves through Peru, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency in response to rising crime and extortion.

Flores, the lead singer of the renowned cumbia group Armonía 10, was traveling with his bandmates when gunmen opened fire on their bus. According to CBS News, the band had received threats from a criminal organization. 

Security footage captured the bus passing through an intersection in Lima shortly before the ambush. Flores was shot and rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A cumbia icon silenced

Fans knew Flores as “El Russo.” His band, Armonía 10, helped define Peruvian cumbia. The group formed in 1972 and gained national fame in the 1980s with its debut vinyl release.

For decades, their music filled dance floors and radio airwaves. Flores joined in the mid-2000s and became a fan favorite. His unique voice and stage presence set him apart.

Peru declares state of emergency

The murder of Flores comes amid a wave of violence in Peru. The country has recorded 459 homicides between January and mid-March, according to the Associated Press. Criminal organizations have increasingly used extortion tactics against businesses, artists, and performers.

Following a late-night government meeting, Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén announced a 30-day state of emergency for Lima and the province of Callao.

“This measure includes the deployment of troops from our Armed Forces in support of the National Police,” Adrianzén wrote in a post on X.

Under the emergency order, authorities can conduct searches without warrants and detain suspects without judicial approval. The government is also planning a reform of the prison system to combat organized crime.

What happens next?

Peru’s president has suggested the death penalty for hitmen and extortionists as part of a broader crackdown on crime. Meanwhile, soldiers have been deployed to key areas, including bus stations and transit hubs, to reinforce security.

The murder of Paul Flores has left Peru mourning a cultural icon. His death has also exposed the growing dangers of extortion and organized crime—forcing the government to take drastic measures to restore order.