As gang violence escalates in Peru, citizens grapple with a burgeoning crime wave, marked by extortion and deadly assaults. Though previously peaceful neighborhoods are now plagued by fear, the community is fighting back against the chaos.
Peru's Urban Nightmare: The Rise of Gang Violence and Extortion
Peru's Urban Nightmare: The Rise of Gang Violence and Extortion
A pervasive climate of fear grips Peruvian communities as gangs infiltrate local businesses, leaving destruction and intimidation in their wake.
In Lima, Peru, Jorge Tejada stands among the wreckage of his recycling business, inspecting the charred remains of a bus set ablaze during the night—an act of vengeance from gangs threatening local enterprises for money. At 50, Mr. Tejada has witnessed relentless assaults in his neighborhood over the past year: explosives detonating at bodegas, restaurants peppered with gunfire, and his own business torched after he refused to pay $530 monthly to a criminal group. Tragically, a local pharmacist was shot dead while working, leaving shop owners fearful enough to seek refuge away from their stores.
"This area was once peaceful," reflected Mr. Tejada, recalling how resilient community members transformed the former shantytown into an official district amid years of hard work. "Now, fear permeates our lives."
This sentiment resonates across Peru as the nation faces an unprecedented surge in crime, particularly linked to gang-related extortion. Reports indicate a staggering increase in extortion incidents soaring from a few hundred annually in 2017 to more than 2,000 per month this year, as documented by national police. Furthermore, the assassination of individuals by hired killers has intensified, showcasing the alarming escalation of violence. Caught in this perilous situation, communities are struggling to regain their once peaceful existence while confronting an increasingly oppressive environment.
