On February 5, 1975, there was a police strike and an attempted coup that turned into riots and looting in the historic center of Lima, which were then violently suppressed by the Peruvian Army.

This event continued to destabilize the Velasco administration, already unstable after growing discontent and demands for economic reform from the public.

The coup was planned at the Tarapacá barracks as a military uprising in the southern city of Tacna, and was supported unanimously by several of the most prominent members of the Armed Forces.

After an improvised speech in the main square of Tacna, General Morales Bermúdez urged President Velasco to leave office peacefully and avoid a direct confrontation.

He was forced to call a Constitutional Assembly (which was led by Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre) and new elections.