60-day emergency declared in Peru

The Peruvian government declared a 60-day state of emergency. The emergency, which suspends constitutional rights, was imposed to protect Peru's electricity service, the official news agency said. Shortly after the state of emergency was announced, a high-tension tower was blown up in the northern province of Paramonga, throwing the area and the neighboring provinces of Pativilca, Supe, and Huacho into darkness. President Fernando Belaunde Terry asked parliament to establish the death penalty for those convicted of attacks on state property and public services.