Gangs are targeting schools in poor neighborhoods of Peru for extortion. In one Roman Catholic elementary school on the outskirts of Lima, administrators received messages from gangsters demanding payment between $14,000 and $28,000. The demands are part of a broader crime wave in Peru that has gained traction during the COVID pandemic.
The country’s poor quality of public education has led to thousands of private schools springing up, many located in impoverished areas dominated by criminals. Gangs are now demanding a cut of their tuition fees, with at least 1,000 schools being extorted in Lima alone. Many schools have switched to online classes or closed down to avoid the threats.
Parents and teachers say that corruption among police officers is exacerbating the problem, as corrupt cops tip off gangs about pending raids. The lack of effective policing has allowed gang activity to thrive in areas with little presence.
Analysts say that political instability has made things worse, with six presidents in nine years contributing to a culture of corruption. The current president declared a state of emergency in March, but it has yet to make a significant difference.
Some individuals are pushing back against the extortion demands. A shop owner refused to pay weekly “protection” payments and had her three cats decapitated as a result. Others have taken similar measures, changing their children’s schools or switching to online classes, to avoid being targeted by gang members.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/07/07/g-s1-75023/peru-gangs-extortion-schools