Lambayeque, Peru sees homicide surge and police chief swap

Between January and May 2024, the Lambayeque region of Peru recorded a sharp rise in homicides, extortions, kidnappings and other crimes, according to data from the National Observatory of Citizen Security. The increase prompted the Ministry of the Interior to replace the regional police commander, moving General Luis Bolaños to Cajamarca and appointing General Roberto Mercado Calderón as the new head of the Lambayeque police force.

In the coastal district of Huanchaco, a separate incident captured on security cameras showed a young woman’s cellphone stolen by a motorcyclist. The footage, released by local residents, is being used to identify and apprehend the suspect, underscoring the community’s concern over the growing insecurity.