Overview
- A study by the Observatorio del Crimen y la Violencia reports 131 homicides and attempted homicides tied to extortion between January and May 2026, with most cases in Lima and Callao.
- Victims include bus drivers, taxi and mototaxi drivers, fare collectors, informal solicitors and passengers, showing that extortion affects all roles across urban transport.
- The report alleges a criminal network operating inside the Ate police station led by the station chief and implicating multiple officers, raising concerns about collusion and oversight.
- Investigators and former officials say low rates of imprisonment for extortion and limited night motorcycle patrols have created de facto impunity and urged faster deployment of bus cameras and Big Data/AI-led investigative units.
- Transport unions plan a large protest involving about 40,000 workers from 460 firms to pressure authorities, and the report warns that continued violence is driving higher fear, economic disruption and worsening mental health for affected communities.