Peruvian Congress Ousts Interior Minister Amid Rising Crime Concerns

The Congress of Peru passed a censure motion against Interior Minister Juan José Santiváñez on Friday, March 21, leading to his removal from office. The vote, which passed with 79 in favor, 11 against, and 20 abstentions, was prompted by dissatisfaction with his handling of organized crime and a surge in extortion cases across the country. The decision follows the recent murder of cumbia singer Paul Flores, a member of the popular group Armonía 10, who was killed during an attack on the band's bus after a performance. This incident, along with a significant increase in reported extortion cases, has heightened public concern about security in Peru. In 2024, police have already received over 18,000 extortion reports, a sharp increase from 4,500 in 2021.