The horrifying murder of a teacher in front of his students in Lima, Peru has spotlighted the nation’s growing gang violence problem, leading to widespread protests and strikes throughout the capital. This incident underscores the expanding influence of organized crime and extortion groups that are paralyzing businesses and costing Peru billions.
Julio César Pacheco, a teacher, was fatally shot on Monday, October 14, 2024, at the entrance of Julio C Tello school in the Ate Vitarte neighborhood of Lima, a district known for its working-class residents. An assassin disguised as a courier was seen on CCTV footage, leaving children running in fear and Pacheco’s lifeless body at the school’s blue metal gates.
That same evening, mothers united outside the school, demanding justice for their children’s teacher.
This brazen murder in broad daylight has become a catalyst for Peruvians who are fed up with unchecked crime and ineffective government measures. Employees from diverse sectors, including transportation and retail, have started strikes to protest against poor law enforcement and recent laws believed to undermine anti-crime initiatives.
However, the issue of organized crime in Peru stretches far beyond this single event. The nation is grappling with a complex criminal environment that comprises drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, and widespread extortion.
Recent statistics reveal that nearly half of Lima’s 23,000 shopkeepers fall prey to extortion, shelling out between $25 and $1,000 every month to criminal organizations. The transportation sector is even more affected, with seven out of 10 transport companies paying extortion amounts averaging $4,000 monthly.
The economic impact on Peru is devastating. Extortion alone costs the country over $1.6 billion every year, equivalent to 0.7% of its national GDP. When considering the overall costs, the figure skyrockets to $9.28 billion, or 3.5% of the GDP.
Adding to the public’s discontent is a controversial new law that critics have labeled “pro-organized crime.” The legislation no longer deems extortion and assassination as organized crime offenses, potentially leading to lighter sentences. It also introduces new limitations on police raids, necessitating the presence of suspects’ legal representatives – a modification that experts worry could enable criminals to destroy evidence.
Peru’s President Dina Boluarte has proposed lengthening prison terms and mobilizing soldiers onto the streets. Nevertheless, these proposals have been criticized as temporary fixes that don’t tackle the root causes of organized crime in the country.
The spike in violence isn’t confined to Lima. In Trujillo, the third-largest city in Peru, 20 private schools have been under military protection since June due to extortion threats. This situation highlights how criminal groups are viewing educational institutions as profitable income sources. “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 diverse wave of crime, the challenges for law enforcement are monumental. Government corruption, the influence of international criminal organizations, and the country’s ongoing political instability all contribute to an environment where organized crime continues to flourish.