Overview
- Interior Ministry data through Dec. 27 record 25,196 extortion cases and 2,451 homicides this year, both up on 2024 despite repeated emergency measures.
- The death of reporter Mitzar Castillejos on Dec. 26 confirmed a fourth journalist killed in 2025, with no masterminds detained and probes described as slow and limited to gunmen.
- Journalist groups report protection mechanisms failing and warn of a sharp press‑freedom decline, noting Peru fell 53 places in the global ranking.
- Organized crime has heavily hit transport and entertainment, with at least 69 drivers and five fare collectors killed, five transport strikes in Lima–Callao, and dozens of orchestras paying extortion.
- Authorities cite a shortfall of roughly 70,000 police and outdated station data, while isolated wins such as the Sept. 24 capture of ‘El Monstruo’ have not shifted the broader trend ahead of the 2026 elections.