Peru’s Interior Minister removed over rising violence

Peru's Congress voted to remove Interior Minister Juan José Santiváñez due to his failure to control rising violent crime. The no-confidence vote passed Friday with 78 votes in favor, 11 against, and 20 abstentions. Santiváñez has 72 hours to resign but has said he respects the decision. The decision comes amid public anger over increasing violence, including a recent high-profile murder. Paul Flores, a popular cumbia singer, was shot and killed in Lima after a concert when gunmen attacked his tour bus. This incident intensified calls for action against crime. In response to the spike in violence, President Dina Boluarte declared a state of emergency in the capital. She also ordered military support for the police. This was not the first state of emergency; a similar measure was in place from September to December last year. Violent crime rates have surged, with authorities reporting 2,057 murders in 2024, up from 1,506 in 2023. Santiváñez stated he had worked closely with police but accepted his responsibility amid the growing insecurity.