Lima, Peru – Last Thursday, public transport companies in Peru’s capital, Lima, suspended their services in protest. They demanded that the government of President Dina Boluarte do more to prevent violence and extortion directed by criminal groups against bus drivers and other transport providers in the city.
For months, criminal gangs have been extorting “protection fees” from drivers and bus companies to allow them to operate. Those who refuse to comply have faced severe consequences, including death. On September 22, a driver was killed after refusing to pay a daily fee of 7 soles (US$1.90) to obtain a “permit” to work.
According to public transport union estimates, around 3,000 vehicles took part in the strike. Early Thursday morning, citizens lined up in long lines at bus stops.
Martín Valeriano, president of the National Association of Transport Integration (Anitra), told AFP that there are 470 transport companies operating in Lima and Callao, of which around 50 are currently facing extortion.
In response to the escalated situation, the Ministry of the Interior declared the “State of Emergency” for 60 days in 13 districts of Lima and one district in Callao on September 27. These districts are home to 60% of the city’s 10 million inhabitants.
Interior Minister Juan José Santiváñez led an identity check operation and preventive patrols on Friday, deploying 3,400 police officers across Lima.
“The increase in the presence of the police started at the beginning of my mandate, through various operations, and today it enables us to settle in special areas to protect public transport and the general public,” he told the press.
He added: “I send a message to transport workers, shopkeepers and all small business owners: the National Police is active from this morning, not only in transport, but also in the protection of businesses.”
