The Americas | An iron fist, please

Peruvians long for a Bukele-like strongman to beat crime

Amid rife insecurity, people are despairing of their crooked politicians

A demonstrator shouts slogans in front of a row of riot police officers
Fear leads to angerPhotograph: Getty Images
|Lima

On March 16th members of a legendary Peruvian cumbia band, Armonía 10, were heading from one packed concert venue to the next in Lima, Peru’s capital, when men on motorcycles attacked their bus. Bullets flew through the windshield, killing the band’s lead singer, Paul Flores. Waiting fans gasped in horror at the news. Police suspect the attack was related to an extortion attempt by a local gang.

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This article appeared in the The Americas section of the print edition under the headline “Seeking Peru’s Bukele”

From the April 5th 2025 edition

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