As gang-related crimes continue to rise, everyday citizens recount harrowing experiences of violence and intimidation, revealing the extent to which fear has become a part of daily life in Peru.
Gang Violence in Peru: A Nation Under Siege
Gang Violence in Peru: A Nation Under Siege
Peru faces overwhelming gang violence as extortion and fear grip local communities.
In Lima, Jorge Tejada surveyed the damage at his recycling business where a bus was recently burned as retaliation by local gangs. This incident is a stark reminder of how rampant extortion has become in Peru. Tejada, 50, lamented the drastic transformation of his once peaceful neighborhood into a battleground of fear and intimidation.
Over the past year, he has witnessed numerous violent incidents, including explosive attacks on local stores and the tragic murder of a pharmacist in broad daylight. Many business owners, feeling powerless against the threats, have fled or gone into hiding.
Peru's crime wave has reached alarming levels, driven largely by the surge in gang-related extortion schemes. According to national police statistics, reports of extortion have skyrocketed from a few hundred annually in 2017 to over 2,000 each month this year. The rise in targeted killings by hired assassins has also alarmingly increased in recent years, creating a pervasive atmosphere of fear throughout the nation.
As people like Tejada continue to face risks to their safety and livelihood, the pressing need for effective responses to combat gang violence and restore peace in communities grows ever more urgent.
Over the past year, he has witnessed numerous violent incidents, including explosive attacks on local stores and the tragic murder of a pharmacist in broad daylight. Many business owners, feeling powerless against the threats, have fled or gone into hiding.
Peru's crime wave has reached alarming levels, driven largely by the surge in gang-related extortion schemes. According to national police statistics, reports of extortion have skyrocketed from a few hundred annually in 2017 to over 2,000 each month this year. The rise in targeted killings by hired assassins has also alarmingly increased in recent years, creating a pervasive atmosphere of fear throughout the nation.
As people like Tejada continue to face risks to their safety and livelihood, the pressing need for effective responses to combat gang violence and restore peace in communities grows ever more urgent.
