The brutal murder of a teacher in front of his students in Lima, Peru has brought attention to the growing issue of gang violence in the city. This horrific incident has sparked widespread protests and strikes across the capital, underscoring the extent of organized crime and extortion that is paralyzing businesses and costing the country billions.
On October 14, 2024, Julio César Pacheco, a teacher in the Ate Vitarte neighborhood of Lima, was shot dead at the entrance of Julio C Tello school. The assailant posed as a courier and the killing was captured on CCTV, showing frightened children running away from the scene.
Later that night, mothers gathered outside the school, demanding justice for the slain teacher.
This audacious killing has sparked outrage among Peruvians, frustrated with the rising crime rates and ineffective government responses. Workers from various industries, including transportation and retail, have started strikes to protest inadequate law enforcement and recent legislation perceived as undermining anti-crime efforts.
Peru’s issue with organized crime extends beyond this single event. The nation is grappling with complex criminal activities that range from drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal logging, and wildlife trafficking to rampant extortion.
Recent statistics reveal that approximately half of Lima’s 23,000 shopkeepers fall victim to extortion, shelling out between $25 and $1,000 monthly to criminal groups. The transportation industry is even more affected, with 70% of transport companies paying extortion fees averaging $4,000 monthly.
The economic impact on Peru is significant. Extortion alone costs the nation over $1.6 billion per year, equivalent to 0.7% of its national GDP. When considering the total costs, this figure increases to $9.28 billion, or 3.5% of GDP.
Adding to the public’s frustration is a controversial new law that critics have labeled as “pro-organized crime.” This legislation no longer categorizes extortion and assassination as organized crime offenses, potentially leading to lighter sentences. It also imposes new limitations on police raids, requiring the presence of suspects’ legal representatives which experts fear could allow the destruction of evidence.
Peru’s President Dina Boluarte has proposed harsher jail terms and deploying soldiers on the streets as a response. However, these proposals have been criticized as mere short-term solutions that do not address the root causes of the country’s organized crime problem.
The increase in violence is not confined to Lima. In Trujillo, Peru’s third-largest city, 20 private schools have been under military protection since June due to extortion threats. “In Trujillo, all businessmen pay quotas to extortionists,” security analyst Pedro Yaranga Quispe told InSight Crime. “Even the illegal taxi drivers have to pay.”
As Peru battles this surge in various forms of crime, the challenges for law enforcement are immense. Government corruption, the influence of international criminal organizations, and the country’s ongoing political instability all contribute to an environment in which organized crime continues to flourish.
