The incident occurred on the afternoon of 21/5 when Victor Hugo Febre, 44, mayor of the Veintiseis de Octubre district in the Piura region, was driving his oto from his mother's house to work. He is the third local official in Peru to be assassinated since the beginning of the year, with all cases potentially linked to criminal gangs.

Police reported that two gunmen, wearing helmets that obscured their faces, ambushed and pursued Febre on a moto. Sources described how the mayor's driver attempted to drive to the San Sebastian police station but was unable to seek help in time.

Police cordon off the assassination scene in Piura on 21/5. Photo: X/Noticias360Peru

"The pickup truck sped toward us. A man shouted, 'Help, help!', he was shot in the back but wanted people to save the mayor instead of himself. Nurses at the San Sebastian medical center told them to take the victim to Santa Rosa hospital. A doctor examined him and confirmed the mayor had died," a witness recounted to TV Peru.

Local sources stated Febre died en route to the hospital. The victim's body had 5 bullet wounds, while 6 shell casings were found at the scene.

Febre's driver was also shot in the abdomen and taken to Jose Cayetano Heredia hospital for treatment. Local officials reported that he is currently in stable condition and will undergo surgery.

Mayor Febre's family stated he had never received any threats. Some local sources suggested he might be a victim in an extortion case related to construction projects. The prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the assassination.

Victor Hugo Febre, mayor of the Veintiseis de Octubre district in Peru's Piura region. Photo: Infobae

Peru is experiencing its most severe security crisis since the bloody conflict between the government and separatist forces during the 1980-2000 period. Piura is one of the areas most heavily affected by extortion and assassinations.

The number of homicides recorded in Peru rose from about 1,000 in 2018 to 2,600 in 2025, while extortion cases increased more than 8 times, reaching 26,500.

Security is a central topic in the presidential election campaign. Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori, who led the first round, pledged to implement strict measures to suppress crime if elected. Opponent Roberto Sanchez proposed constitutional reforms to support the armed forces' involvement in the fight against crime.

By Thanh Danh (According to AFP, TV Peru, La Republica)