# Crime and insecurity in Peru > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/crime-and-insecurity-in-peru > Updated: 2026-10-22T18:04:59.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 4. Rising crime and insecurity in Peru have led to significant changes in public behavior and economic activity. Reports indicate that 58% of Peruvians go out less frequently than the previous year, with many observing unofficial nighttime curfews to avoid robbery. In Lima, 90% of residents avoid going out at night. These shifts have impacted local businesses and increased costs for citizens, such as a preference for more expensive taxi services to ensure safety. In response to the crisis, government officials, business leaders, and civil society have begun proposing strategies to combat organized crime. Officials from the National Security and Defense Secretariat (SEDENA) noted that criminal organizations are increasingly infiltrating legal channels and disputing territorial control with the State. Economic assessments suggest that insecurity costs the Peruvian economy approximately $11.8 billion annually, with 45% of citizens reporting knowledge of local businesses that have closed due to crime. Recent violent incidents highlight the ongoing volatility. In Callao, hooded individuals opened fire at a rotisserie chicken restaurant on Jirón Cusco; while no injuries were reported, investigators recovered a manuscript containing threatening messages, suggesting the attack was an attempt at extortion. Additionally, in the San Martín de Porres district of Lima, a 63-year-old retired police officer, Marcelino Llacchua Pacco, was fatally shot during an attempted vehicle robbery. The crisis has expanded to include targeted extortion of public officials. In the northern regions of Huanchaco and Piura, criminals have reportedly targeted mayors-elect with death threats to influence municipal decisions. Investigations in Trujillo have also uncovered criminal gangs founding private security companies to facilitate illegal activities. Meanwhile, law enforcement has dismantled various criminal networks, including the ‘Las Baybis de San Andrés’ gang in Pisco, which was found in possession of cocaine, ammunition, and explosives. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-22: Peru faces surge in organized crime, extortion, and drug trafficking Peru faces a wave of organized crime, including extortion of mayors, drug trafficking busts in Pisco, and the discovery of security firms linked to criminal gangs in Trujillo. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trujillo-security-firms-and-extortionists-investigated ### 2026-10-09: Crime wave in Peru: extortion attack and retired officer killed Violent crimes in Peru include an extortion-related shooting at a restaurant in Callao and the fatal shooting of a retired police officer during a vehicle robbery in Lima. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/crime-wave-in-peru-extortion-attack-and-retired-officer-killed ### 2026-10-05: Peru leaders propose strategies to combat rising insecurity Peruvian business leaders and government officials are proposing new strategies to combat organized crime, which causes an estimated $11.8 billion in annual economic losses. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peru-leaders-propose-strategies-to-combat-rising-insecurity ### 2026-09-14: Peru crime insecurity alters consumer habits and daily routines Crime insecurity in Peru has led 58% of the population to go out less than last year, with 85% avoiding nighttime outings due to fear, impacting local businesses and consumer habits. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peru-crime-insecurity-alters-consumer-habits-and-daily-routines --- Cite as: Crime and insecurity in Peru. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/crime-and-insecurity-in-peru