Peru reports nearly 14,000 extortion complaints in seven months

The Peruvian Public Ministry reported 13,892 complaints of extortion filed nationwide between January and July 2026. Data from the institution's Criminality Observatory indicates that the crime is widely distributed across various jurisdictions.

Lima East recorded the highest number of reports with 1,806 cases, followed by Lima Sur with 1,346, Lima Norte with 1,305, and Lima Centro with 1,178. Outside of the capital, the region of La Libertad, specifically Trujillo, recorded 1,625 cases, making it the most affected region outside of Lima.

In the capital city, a total of 5,635 complaints were filed, primarily by merchants and transport workers. These figures highlight the significant presence of extortion in the country and the ongoing challenge for investigative and prosecution authorities.