Crime concerns rise in Salto and Sandia

In Salto, Uruguay, there is growing concern regarding a significant rise in criminal activity. Reports indicate that crime rates, including robberies, thefts, and the illegal sale of weapons and drugs, have increased by nearly fifty percent in the early months of 2026. Factors cited for this trend include drug consumption, lack of employment, and the ease of illicit profit-making among younger generations.

In the Sandia region of Peru, residents of Solitario and Tiquitiqui successfully intervened to thwart an attempted robbery of a pickup truck traveling the San Pedro de Putina Punco–Juliaca route. Following the community's intervention, the suspects fled the scene, reportedly firing shots toward the Cojata district. Local authorities have advised transporters and travelers to exercise extreme caution when using routes in the Puno jungle due to the potential for similar incidents in areas with limited communication coverage.