Overview
- Two motorcyclists intercepted the mayor’s vehicle and shot Víctor Hugo Febre, who later died in hospital after the attack on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
- The Interior Ministry and the PNP activated a ‘Plan Cerco,’ deployed Dirincri investigators, forensic teams and C4 technology from Lima and demanded immediate arrests.
- A man identified as Franco Castillo voluntarily presented himself to Divincri to give a statement, but no motive has been legally confirmed and the investigation is ongoing.
- Police investigators are treating extortion linked to construction contracts and illegal land trafficking as the leading working hypotheses for the killing.
- Family and community anger has mounted—relatives barred the PNP commander from the wake, the municipality declared three days of mourning, and regional leaders are calling for changes in police leadership and emergency security sessions.