Lima, Peru – Public transit workers in Lima, Peru went on strike Thursday to demand more protection from criminals. It is the second strike in a month.
Mass transport in Lima was halted for the 72-hour strike and schools across the capital were also reportedly closed.
Transit workers are calling on the government to repeal Law 32108, which was passed in August and is widely criticized for allegedly benefiting criminal gangs that extort bus drivers in the city.
On September 26, transport workers across the country went on strike to protest growing insecurity in the capital, Lima, marked by extortion, contract killings and assassinations. In response, the government implemented several actions, such as a 60-day state of emergency in Lima and Callao, but unions are not satisfied with the temporary measures.
On October 7, Walter Carrera, president of the National and International Association of Transporters (Asotrani), informed the local press that several transport unions would stage a second strike on October 10 in Lima and Callao. Some bus companies will reportedly continue to operate, with significantly reduced services, and taxi drivers and mototaxis also joined the strike.
“Law 32108 is harming all citizens in terms of security, creating criminal organizations. If the legislature ignores us, we will take action through a nationwide strike,” warned Martín Valeriano, president of the National Association of Transport Integration (Anitra), during Sunday’s program. Last point.
According to the leader, “the executive branch is not doing anything”, since for about six years transport workers have been threatened by organized crime, with a total of 14 attacks and four deaths. On September 22, a driver was killed after failing to pay extortionists 7 soles (US$1.90) a day.
via a letter addressed to President Dina Boluarteon October 1, the president of Congress, the Ombudsman and other state entities, unions and various transport associations demanded the repeal of law 32108.
“If we are not heard, we call on all trade unions, unions, federations, civil associations, economic activities and the general public to raise their voices in protest in favor of the lives of all Peruvians,” the statement said.
Why is there so much opposition to Law 32108?
Law 32108, modifying the Criminal Code, regulates the definition of “organized crime”. According to this law, an organization can only be considered criminal if it is involved in crimes with a minimum sentence of more than six years in prison. This means that not every group that commits minor crimes can be classified as part of a criminal organization. This category includes only serious criminal offenses, those with heavier penalties, thus limiting the use of the term “organized crime”. Major critics of the law argue that it exempts more than 50 crimes, including extortion.
In late September, the Lima Bar Association (CAL) issued a statement blaming Congress for the increase in crime, as Law 32108 allegedly benefits criminal gangs.
In statement 042-2024, CAL expressed “its deep concern about the serious situation of insecurity and crime that the country is facing”.
“It is unacceptable that the Congress of the Republic continues to pass laws that favor organized crime. The last approval of the law no. 32108, which redefines the crime of organized crime, has created a favorable environment for the proliferation of extortion gangs and other criminal groups, causing not only irreparable human loss, but also significant economic damage that deeply affects our society. “, explained in the statement.
In this regard, CAL held Congress responsible for passing “laws that redefine the concept of organized crime, which have allowed an increase in criminal activities, such as the rising tide of extortion, especially against transportation workers.”
Despite these and other demands, Congress has shown no willingness to debate repealing the law, keeping it in place and avoiding addressing concerns raised by trucking unions.
