What was supposed to be one of Lima’s most anticipated concerts of the season quickly turned into a night of frustration for thousands of Anuel fans. The Puerto Rican artist’s show at the Arena Monumental de Ate on Friday, Dec. 5, began nearly six hours late, leaving crowds angry, exhausted, and stuck in gridlocked traffic well past midnight.

A Long Night With No Answers

Fans began arriving early, expecting the concert to start at 10:30 p.m. Instead, with little to no communication from organizers, the show didn’t begin until 2:55 a.m. on Saturday. Inside the venue, impatience grew louder as the audience waited in confusion. Outside, the chaos spilled onto Avenida Javier Prado Este, where traffic collapsed under the pressure of thousands trying to reach or leave the area.

Many fans left early, overwhelmed by the transportation crisis — taxis were scarce, public transit was overwhelmed, and informal drivers reportedly charged up to 100 soles for short rides.

Why Was Anuel So Late?

Anuel explained onstage that he arrived in Lima much later than planned due to flight delays and immigration issues. He landed at 1:30 a.m. and headed straight to the venue. By the time he finally appeared, the crowd had been waiting for hours.

View this post on Instagram

Production Company Responds

As backlash grew online, Iguana Producciones Perú released a statement at 10:45 p.m., citing “a slight delay” due to the artist’s flight complications and assuring the audience that the event would proceed. Fans, however, criticized the lack of timely updates and the magnitude of the delay.

Mixed Reactions After the Show

Despite the chaos, some attendees said they enjoyed the 90-minute performance, during which Anuel draped himself in the Peruvian flag and delivered his biggest hits. But many left disappointed — and they’re not alone.

Part of a Larger Pattern

The Lima incident adds to a growing list of issues on Anuel’s recent tour. In late November, fans in Madrid complained about a short 1 hour and 15 minute performance and delayed start times. Media reports from Spain cite repeated cancellations, late arrivals, and brief concerts as ongoing problems.