Peru Under Siege: The Harrowing Rise of Gang Violence

The increase in gang violence and extortion in Peru has left communities in fear as incidents of violence escalate, sparking widespread trauma among local business owners.

In the heart of Lima, the scene is grim: Jorge Tejada stands amidst the wreckage of a bus, a charred shell left as a symbol of the relentless gang violence besieging his neighborhood. The bus was torched overnight, allegedly as punishment by a local gang that has been extorting local transportation companies. Tejada, who has witnessed an alarming rise in attacks within a year, recalls a time when his community thrived. “This used to be a tranquil area,” he lamented, reflecting on how years of collective effort transformed a former shantytown into a vibrant district.

Now, fear permeates the streets, with local businesses facing devastating attacks ranging from explosive devices detonated at convenience stores to gunfire at restaurants. Tejada himself has felt the heat when his recycling yard was set ablaze after he refused to comply with a gang’s demand for a $530 monthly payment. Tragically, the increasing violence has claimed the lives of many, including a pharmacist executed in his own shop.

Furthermore, data from the national police reveals that the crisis is getting worse. Extortion cases have skyrocketed, jumping from a few hundred annually in 2017 to over 2,000 daily in recent months. The bloodshed has escalated, with hired killings also skyrocketing. Activists and citizens alike are calling for urgent action as the spiraling violence continues to instill fear and trauma throughout the nation.