Fear looms over Peru's presidential runoff election as extortion and killings surge across the nation, particularly in regions like Trujillo. Citizens are apprehensive about leaving their homes to vote, fearing they may become victims of crime during their journey to the polls.
Extortion and Violence on the Rise
In a desert area along northwestern Peru's Pacific coast, Gladys Saavedra eyed strangers with suspicion at the small market where she works. She and other women must collectively pay $300 monthly to extortionists or risk severe consequences. Their market was set on fire last June after they refused to comply. Days later, they marched demanding protection, but nothing changed. Saavedra's own house was attacked with explosives in August 2024 during another extortion attempt.
“You can’t even stick your head out for fear of being shot,” said Saavedra, 49.
Illegal Gold Mining Fuels Organized Crime
The first extortion cases in Trujillo emerged over 20 years ago, but the phenomenon has spread nationwide in the last five years. Extortion complaints increased fivefold to 28,948 cases last year, while murders doubled to 2,226 in 2025, according to official data. Police and security experts attribute the expansion of criminal gangs to their involvement in illegal gold mining, which generates approximately $7 billion annually—far more than the $1.2 billion from drug trafficking.
Public transportation companies were among the first targets, with drivers killed if payments were not made. At least 239 drivers were killed last year across the country, including more than half motorcycle taxi drivers. The murders of bus drivers have triggered strikes and protests.
Even Schools Are Crime Targets
In a Trujillo neighborhood where a quarter of the country’s footwear is manufactured, union leader Máximo Varas said about 1,500 small business owners pay extortionists to work. “Everyone pays—even I get extorted. No one is safe,” he said. Across Trujillo, stickers with pumas, crosses, and Batman logos indicate businesses that have paid extortion fees. Authorities sometimes remove these stickers and replace them with law enforcement ones.
For businessman Iván Díaz, 58, violence has increased “unreasonably.” In 2023, he was kidnapped for 11 days by criminals posing as police. His captors cut off part of two fingers to obtain a $250,000 ransom. In May, four members of the Los Pulpos gang were sentenced to life imprisonment for his kidnapping.
Authorities Have Limited Resources
The Ministry of Economy estimated that crime costs Peruvians about $5 billion annually, including state investment in police operations and private spending on security. Outlying neighborhoods lack paved roads, potable water, and electricity, but most critically, they lack a police presence. Wealthier areas like San Borja have numerous uniformed officers and private security agents.
Security experts say combating crime requires an anti-corruption purge of the national police force and significant funding for investigations. An agent investigating organized crime groups told the Associated Press that police cannot track phones used for extortion payments due to a lack of technology. Harvey Colchado, a congressman-elect and retired police officer, said police investigative units had a monthly budget of $29,000 five years ago but now have no funds. Laws approved with support from both presidential candidates have made it difficult to prosecute criminals by eliminating preliminary detention in certain cases and raising thresholds for asset seizures and searches.
“This is a cancer,” Saavedra said. “Police don’t have the resources to trace calls or know where messages are coming from. That’s the only way to stop it.”
