Surge in crime fuels Peru’s political collapse

Peru’s deepening security crisis has sent the country into political turmoil, following the ousting of President Dina Boluarte.

On October 10, the Peruvian Congress removed Boluarte from power due to “permanent moral incapacity”.

With a resounding vote of 122 in favour out of 130, Boluarte was replaced by Congress leader and Interim President Jose Jeri.

Gang-run crimes

Boluarte’s removal came at a time when crime rates are rising in the country.

Local media revealed that the number of gang-run extortion incidents rose by a staggering 540%, from 2,396 cases in 2023 to 15,336 in 2024.

In January alone, 2,000 extortion cases were officially recorded.

Between January and mid-March, 459 killings were reported nationwide.

Local media suggests that the number could go up, given that some cases go unreported due to fear of retaliation.

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Low public trust

Public outrage is also growing over the government’s inability to prosecute gang-related crimes.

According to analysts, enforcement has been severely hampered by widespread corruption and the alleged collusion of public authorities with criminal organisations.

The Congress has repeatedly declared states of emergency, giving the military and the police blanket authority over security.

Yet, violence persists, and public trust remains shattered.

Economic insecurity

Although inflation is low, the majority of the local labour force remains unorganised, without social benefits and legal protection.

“We live under siege from organised crime which has taken control of the country in the alarming absence of the state,” local business organisations said in a joint statement last year, according to a report by Reuters.

“None of our activities, regardless of size or sector, is safe from extortion,” they added.

Peru, the world’s second-largest cocaine producer, has seen organised crime expand into indigenous regions in the past years.

This makes the crackdown more challenging for local law enforcement.

The country is also known as a hub for sexual slavery, labour exploitation and organ trafficking.

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