He state of emergency decreed in the province of Lima and Callao since October 22, It has not managed to reduce the number of homicides or attacks on transporters, which persist with high levels of aggression. In the first days of the measure—which will end this November 21 and will be renewed immediately—at least 50 homicidesof which the majority occurred through the use of firearms.
The official figures of the National Computer System of Deaths (SINADEF)and disseminated by data analyst Juan Carbajal, indicate that, between October 22 and November 16, during the period of execution of the state of emergency, 50 homicides were recorded in Lime and Callao. Of them, 42 victims died from a firearm projectilewhich represents 84% of the cases.
Before the entry into force of the state of emergency, in an equivalent period of 26 days (from September 26 to October 21), the same official registry documented 53 homicides, also with a predominance of deaths by firearm (79%).
In the districts of Saint Martin de Porres, tie, Stone Bridge, Villa El Salvador, The Olive Trees and Carabayllo—all in Lima—the number of homicides increased during the state of emergency, reaching 31 victims compared to 18 in the previous period, according to statistics collected by SINADEF. In these districts, 90% of homicides were committed with firearms.
The northern area of Lima concentrated half of all homicides reported during the military and police intervention, registering a relative increase compared to the previous period. The profile of the events shows patterns of lethal violence with a significant presence of organized crime, where the use of firearm projectiles is the predominant method.
An aspect that generates observations in the official reports is the presence of 10 violent deaths, certified by autopsy as attributable to firearm projectiles, but registered as “ignored” in the SINADEF base; eight correspond to Lima and two to Callao. This data is subject to update as pending registrations are processed.
The impact of crime is also strongly felt on the public transportation system. Various sources describe a context of insecurity where gangs of extortionists keep drivers of urban transport vehicles in Lima under threats and attacks, forcing them to pay periodic sums to continue operating.
In places like Saint Martin de Porresthis phenomenon has prompted people to flee out of the city and, in some cases, the country, seeking to safeguard their integrity and that of their families. Updated data reveal a million-dollar extortion scheme, which only in the area of companies like “El Rápido” can mobilize up to 800 thousand soles a year in favor of criminal organizations.
The first state of emergency, enacted by the government of José Jerí and which ends this Thursday, will be succeeded from Friday, November 21 by a new 30-day extension. The measure poses challenges not only in the fight against common crime and organized crime, but also in the guarantee of rights and the balance of police and military actions in densely populated urban areas.
The updating of homicide reports by SINADEF could modify the final balance of the first period, while different organizations demand more effective responses to stop the escalation of lethal violence and attacks linked to extortion in the transportation sector.
