The front cover of a recent issue of Caretas, Peru's top political magazine, bore a mock photo of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, the country's flute-playing prime minister. Mr Kuczynski, a former investment banker, was pictured wearing a riot helmet and flak jacket. Instead of a flute, he held a truncheon.

The new premier will not be unhappy with the image. In a statement to Congress at the end of last month outlining his agenda, Mr Kuczynski prioritised security measures, including police reform and the full use of "all legal mechanisms" to protect public order.