The killing of an Indonesian Embassy staff member in Peru has prompted heightened scrutiny over the safety of foreign diplomats in Lima, following a meticulously executed armed attack in the district of Lince.

According to Infobae, the victim, identified as 40-year-old Leonardo Zetro Purba, was ambushed on the evening of September 1 while returning home from work by bicycle, a journey he reportedly made daily between his residence on César Vallejo Avenue and the embassy offices in San Isidro. Security footage reviewed by investigators shows at least two assailants waiting in the area for nearly half an hour before carrying out the shooting. One of the attackers approached Purba on foot and fired three shots at close range, one of them striking his head, before escaping on a motorcycle driven by an accomplice.

Purba, who had arrived in Peru only five months earlier and lived with his wife and two young children, was taken to the Javier Prado Clinic but succumbed to his injuries shortly after. His wife, who was waiting for him at the entrance of their building, was unharmed. Witnesses told Caretas that between four and six gunshots were heard near Ramón Castilla Park, a busy residential and commercial area, causing panic among passers-by, including families and children.

The Peruvian National Police (PNP) confirmed that this was the first contract-style killing reported in Lince in 2025. Commissioner Daniel Guívar told state broadcaster TV Perú that the possibility of a revenge attack or “ajuste de cuentas” had not been ruled out. Initial analysis of video evidence suggests the attackers may be foreign nationals, reinforcing suspicions of transnational criminal involvement. Investigators from the Homicide Division and DEPINCRI Jesús María are now examining possible links to organised crime networks active in Lima, where targeted killings linked to extortion and contract violence have increased in recent months.

Further uncertainty surrounds the motive. Caretas noted that Purba’s embassy role was largely administrative and consular in nature, and colleagues described him as discreet and devoted to his family. No threats had been reported, raising questions about whether the killing was a case of mistaken identity, a targeted operation connected to intelligence matters, or the result of personal or financial disputes.

The murder has also raised alarm within the diplomatic community. While Peruvian authorities activated “Plan Cerco” to coordinate with neighbouring jurisdictions in pursuit of the suspects, no arrests have been confirmed. Diplomatic staff in Lima are reportedly reviewing their own security protocols amid concerns that foreign officials could become more frequent targets.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono confirmed Purba’s death in a public address, urging Peruvian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and pledging support to the victim’s family, including assistance with repatriation and educational support for his children. The minister also advised Indonesian diplomatic personnel abroad to prioritise their security while carrying out official duties.

According to Reuters, his Peruvian counterpart on September 2 reacted by stating "it deeply regretted Purba's assassination," pledging to launch a rigorous investigation.

For Peru, the case underscores broader concerns about public safety in the capital. The fact that a diplomat could be coldly executed in a residential neighbourhood points to vulnerabilities in urban policing and casts doubt on the city’s ability to guarantee security to foreign missions.