Peruvian entrepreneur flees country following six criminal attacks

Paola Atanacio, a young entrepreneur, has decided to leave Peru with her family due to persistent threats, extortion, and armed attacks against her businesses in central Lima. She reported experiencing six separate attacks since November 2025, which she attributes to a criminal organization known as ‘Los Mexicanos’.

The violence included shootings, the delivery of extortion letters by hooded individuals, and an incident on September 30 where a grenade was thrown into one of her premises. Atanacio stated that the criminals initially demanded S/100,000, a sum she eventually negotiated down to S/15,000. Although the attacks briefly ceased following the payment, she reported receiving new intimidating messages, prompting her decision to go public and flee the country for her safety.