• Indonesian diplomat Zetro Leonardo Purba was shot dead in Lima.
• Peru pledges a thorough investigation into the assassination.
• Indonesian Foreign Minister requests enhanced protections for embassy staff.
• The incident raises concerns amidst rising crime rates in Peru.
• Surveillance footage captured the attack on the diplomat.

An Indonesian diplomat, Zetro Leonardo Purba, was shot dead in Lima, Peru, while cycling home on Monday night. Peruvian authorities have classified the incident as an "assassination" and pledged to conduct a thorough investigation. The 40-year-old diplomat was shot three times by an unidentified assailant who then fled on a motorcycle. The Peruvian police have committed to enhancing security measures for the Indonesian embassy in response to this tragic event, indicating the serious nature of the threat faced by foreign diplomats in the country, according to thejakartapost and Reuters.

In a statement, Peru's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its condolences, referring to Purba's death as a "heinous act." They emphasized their commitment to fully investigate the crime and to provide all necessary assistance and protection to Indonesian authorities. Video footage shows Purba being approached and shot at close range, which has led officials to consider motives ranging from targeted attacks to possibly a settling of scores, as suggested by a police spokesperson, according to scmp and Al Jazeera.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has reached out to his Peruvian counterpart, Elmer Schialer, urging for an "expeditious and transparent investigation" and emphasizing the necessity for heightened protections for Indonesian citizens in Peru. He stated, “We trust Peru will ensure the highest protection for our embassy staff, families, and citizens in the country,” reflecting Indonesia's distress at the incident, as reported by thejakartapost and Reuters.

The assassination occurs amid increasing crime rates in Peru, where official homicide figures have surged to the highest levels since 2017. The alarming rise in violence has raised broader concerns about safety for diplomats and expatriates in the nation. Reports indicate that more than 6,000 murders were recorded from January to mid-August 2025, along with a notable increase in extortion cases, according to scmp and Al Jazeera.