In brief
The surge in gang violence in Peru is causing trauma across the nation. Extortion cases have skyrocketed since 2017, with numerous businesses facing threats, while homicide rates from hired killers also soar. Communities are living in a state of constant fear.
Gang-related violence is wreaking havoc in Peru, as communities find themselves subject to terrifying extortion demands. In Lima, Jorge Tejada, a local businessman, describes how a gang set his business's bus on fire after he refused to comply with their monthly demands of $530. The crime wave has intensified over recent years, with extortion cases skyrocketing from just a few hundred to over 2,000 monthly since 2017, according to national police. Mr. Tejada highlights the toll this wave of violence is taking: he has witnessed explosions and shootings around his neighborhood, while some business owners feel forced into hiding. It’s a stark transformation for many areas that were once peaceful, now gripped by fear and insecurity.Statistics reveal that the number of murders by hired hitmen in Peru has also seen a troubling rise, with many citizens echoing Mr. Tejada's sentiment – they used to live in tranquility, but now, safety seems a distant memory. As citizens stand united against this ongoing crisis, the call for action and support becomes ever more urgent.
