A police strike that escalated into citywide riots in Lima, accelerating the political collapse of Juan Velasco Alvarado's government and contributing to his ouster in August 1975.
Key Facts
- Start date
- February 3, 1975
- End date
- February 5, 1975
- Duration
- 3 days
- Alleged instigators
- CIA and APRA
- Suppressed by
- Peruvian Armed Forces
- Subsequent coup
- August 1975, by Francisco Morales Bermúdez
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
A police strike broke out in Lima on February 3, 1975, allegedly instigated by the CIA and the APRA political party. The strike rapidly drew wider civilian unrest, creating conditions of citywide disorder that the government of Juan Velasco Alvarado struggled to contain.
Known as the Limazo or Febrerazo, the unrest saw Lima descend into riots and widespread chaos over three days. The Peruvian Armed Forces were deployed to violently suppress the insurrection, restoring order by February 5, 1975.
The chaos exposed the weakness of Velasco Alvarado's government and deepened an existing political crisis. Within months, General Francisco Morales Bermúdez launched a successful coup d'état in August 1975, deposing Velasco Alvarado and ending the first phase of Peru's revolutionary government.
Political Outcome
Unrest suppressed by the military by February 5; political crisis deepened, leading to Velasco Alvarado's overthrow in August 1975
Government of Juan Velasco Alvarado (first phase of revolutionary government)
Government of Francisco Morales Bermúdez following August 1975 coup