Overview
SafeAbroad analysts have assessed the rise in violence, crime, protests, social unrest, and decreased trust in Peru’s government poses a significant risk to travelers. The country’s current security environment remains unsteady, with multiple states of emergency issued in the nation over the past year. Travelers should be aware of the crime and gang violence rates, as well as extreme social unrest between civilians and officials when visiting Peru.
Key Takeaways
- There is an increasing rise in violence caused by gang activity in Peru. Gang violence in Peru has long consisted mainly of crimes such as homicide and extortion, but more recently the country has also seen an increase in human and drug trafficking.
- There has been consistent political and protest-related unrest among civilians. Anti-government protests as recent as September 29 have turned violent, with the government continuing to use inflammatory measures such as forced dispersal with tear gas.1
- Peruvian citizens lack trust in government institutions creating instability. Peruvian citizens have expressed anger at the current government for its lack of effort to combat crime within the country. These trends are expected to continue through the 2026 elections.
Background
Peru has increasingly struggled to contain the growth of organized crime over the past decade with drug trafficking and extortion operations expanding their presence across urban centers and border regions.2
Decentralized networks of gangs and criminal actors have taken advantage of weak governance in urban provinces, where local institutions are often under-resourced or compromised.3 These groups are not only involved in narcotics, but also in illegal gold mining, contraband and human trafficking.4 Despite various government promises to restore order, crime has worsened and violence has grown more visible in public life.5 In response, authorities have repeatedly issued a state of emergency to address rising insecurity.6 This has done little to produce long-term solutions, and some civil society actors argue that it has come at the cost of basic rights.7
Current Safety Environment
- States of Emergency (2022-2025) | Since 2022, Peru has declared multiple states of emergency across various regions, most often in response to surging crime or large-scale protests. In December 2022 and January 2023, amid national demonstrations following the ousting of former president Castillo, the government imposed security measures such as the authorization of intervention by the army for regulating and imposing a curfew.8 More recently on March 18, 2025, a 30-day state of emergency was declared in Lima and Callao following the assassination of a famous singer.9
- Crime Rates | Violent crime in Peru has intensified sharply in recent years, with extortion, contract killings, and gang activity now common both in urban cities and border regions.10 In early 2025, the government acknowledged an alarming increase in homicides and extortion, particularly in Lima.11 Gangs have established extortion rackets targeting small businesses and even schools, often resorting to threats or force.12 Peru ranks high in criminal influence, particularly in drug trafficking and illegal gold mining.13 In response to rising crime, several foreign governments, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, have issued travel advisories warning against travel to specific districts in Lima and areas near the Colombia and Ecuador borders due to the high risk of violent crime and trafficking.14
- Protest and Strikes | Public frustration with crime and perceived government inaction have fueled waves of protests and strikes across Peru. On May 14, 2025, transport and union workers launched a nationwide strike to demand stronger protections against organized crime.15 Similar demonstrations took place on April 10, 2025, when public transit operators in Lima paralyzed the city in protest of rising extortion and violence.16 Demonstrations continued into July 2025, with unions like the General Confederation of Peruvian Workers (CGTP) organizing marches against state corruption and crime.17
On the Horizon
Increased caution is recommended for all travelers going to Peru due to growing gang and crime levels in the country, leading to a rise in protest activity and division between the Peruvians and their government.
What to watch for in the next months of 2025:
- Increased gang violence activity may cause the extension of the state of emergency. Since the start of 2025, the country has had a 20% increase in homicides which are often the result of extortion attempts causing damage to local transport staff, schools, and businesses.18 The main types of crime are assault, armed robbery, petty theft, and burglary. Police state that criminals often target wealthy travelers and people who carry large amounts of cash.19 However, security issues continue to rise as the top crime industry becomes human trafficking between Peru and many other South American countries.20
- Expect a rise in protests by the public sector labor unions. With crime causing damage in many businesses across the nation, tens of thousands have protested through unions. Demonstrators are demanding action to make working conditions safer, which has increased by one-third across the nation since last year.21 The country has experienced over 5 national strikes by transportation workers in the last year, with over 117 workers representing their jobs, and their numbers continue to grow.22
- Expect a continued decline in relations between civilians and officials in Peru. Peru has seen a significant number of authorities present at strikes and protests in the past year, often responding forcefully. Peruvians state they feel the government has not been protecting them due to the rise in murder and homicide rates.23 In September 2024, Congress voted to take power away from the Attorney General’s office, which has weakened the prosecution of criminals in the country.24
- https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2025/9/29/perus-gen-z-rallies-against-president-boluarte
↩︎ - https://insightcrime.org/news/are-new-laws-actually-worsening-perus-security-crisis/
↩︎ - https://ocindex.net/country/peru
↩︎ - https://insightcrime.org/news/earnings-illegal-gold-hit-record-high-peru/
↩︎ - https://peoplesdispatch.org/2025/05/12/13-peruvian-miners-murdered-amid-rising-insecurity-in-peru/
↩︎ - https://theconversation.com/peru-is-losing-its-battle-against-organised-crime-252349
↩︎ - https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2025/country-chapters/peru
↩︎ - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/15/peru-declares-state-of-emergency-in-lima-after-weeks-of-protests
↩︎ - https://pe.usembassy.gov/security-alert-state-of-emergency-declared-in-lima-and-callao-march-18-2025-u-s-embassy-lima-peru-march-20-2025/
↩︎ - https://insightcrime.org/news/are-new-laws-actually-worsening-perus-security-crisis/
↩︎ - https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/perus-crime-wave-a-populist-opening-or-a-chance-for-reform/
↩︎ - https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/10/world/americas/peru-gang-violence-extortions.html
↩︎ - https://ocindex.net/country/peru
↩︎ - http://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/peru
↩︎ - https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/05/19/snum-m19.html
↩︎ - https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/lima-grinds-halt-perus-transit-workers-demand-action-against-crime-surge-2025-04-10/
↩︎ - https://www.facebook.com/cgtp.peru/posts/pfbid02eE8t7VqFZTzh8FJigYxkHKRSKTtdjSVqu6rnpygbgX8wDEx3jyod6Rmw9VSNSJsxl
↩︎ - https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20250514-peru-s-battle-against-organised-crime-lima-gripped-by-rampant-violence
↩︎ - https://www.osac.gov/Content/Report/9b562a75-e082-4641-9167-1d336aa494c2
↩︎ - https://ocindex.net/country/peru
↩︎ - https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/lima-grinds-halt-perus-transit-workers-demand-action-against-crime-surge-2025-04-10/
↩︎ - https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/03/14/ffwy-m14.html
↩︎ - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2dk735nzlo
↩︎ - https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters/peru ↩︎
