La Libertad officials request more police to combat rising organized crime

The La Libertad region in Peru is facing a surge in organized crime, characterized by high rates of kidnapping, extortion, and homicide. According to the Public Ministry's Criminality Observatory, La Libertad recorded 211 kidnapping reports between January and July, ranking it fourth highest in the country.

Criminal activities in the region include 'high-violence kidnappings' targeting the mining sector through meticulous planning and military-grade weaponry, as well as 'express kidnappings' used to quickly rob victims. The criminal organization ‘Los Pulpos’ has been identified as a primary actor in these crimes, often employing torture to secure ransoms.

In response, regional governor Joana Cabrera Pimentel has met with Interior Minister Walter Astudillo Chávez to request increased police presence and specialized intelligence units. Cabrera proposed that Trujillo be officially declared the ‘capital of the fight against organized crime’ to ensure sustained operational capacity and prevent the withdrawal of specialized police teams from the area.