Peruvian authorities on Tuesday said they are investigating the shooting death of an Indonesian diplomat as a contract killing amid a surge in violent crime in the South American country.

Zetro Leonardo Purba, 40, who worked at the Indonesian Embassy in Peru's capital, Lima, was shot three times Monday night as he arrived on a bicycle to his apartment building.

Authorities said Purba was taken to a hospital but was later declared dead.

Officials didn’t immediately provide a motive for the shooting. But Interior Minister Carlos Malaver told lawmakers the attack was a "contract killing," adding that nothing was stolen.

Peru's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the homicide “will be thoroughly investigated and all necessary assistance and protection will be provided” to Indonesia's ambassador and embassy staff.

Foreign Affairs Minister Elmer Schialer said it was "a terrible, horrific event, like those that so many of our fellow citizens suffer in this country."

The government of Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has struggled to respond to a rise in homicides and extortion in Peru.

Official figures show that 6,041 people were killed between January and mid-August, the highest number during the same period since 2017.

Meanwhile, extortion complaints totaled 15,989 between January and July, a 28% increase compared to the same period in 2024.