ON Thursday, October 10, several associations of transport workers and companies in Peru began a work stoppage that lasted until Saturday, October 12, protesting against rising crime and extortion by criminal groups in Peru’s major cities.

In their industrial action, they were joined by hundreds of people from trade and business associations, as well as some citizen and student organisations.

Why? The security crisis that Peruvians are experiencing is worsening significantly. In fact, this is the first time that protests of this type and for this reason have taken place in Peru, which shows the severity of the situation and the uncertain consequences that this type of demand could cause, politically speaking, in Peruvian society.

Peru’s worsening security crisis directly affects transport workers, business owners, and ordinary citizens. The government of Dina Boluarte, as well as the legislative power, have not been able to reduce the high rates of extortion and blackmail imposed on significant sectors of society by criminal groups that have generated great unease and suffering in Peruvian society.

Neither the supposed improvement of the capacities of the security forces nor the creation of new anti-crime laws (such as Law 32108) proposed by the traditional political parties have been able to reduce a phenomenon that seems to be out of control.

Extortion, hired assassinations, and persecution

According to reports, in the span of two years, extortion complaints have increased fivefold. The transport sector is one of the most affected by this phenomenon, with reports indicating that both the informal and formal transport companies have to pay tolls to criminal groups in order to operate. More than 20 drivers have been murdered by criminal groups, often as retaliation for lack of payment.

On September 26, hundreds of transport workers from 30 companies in Lima and Callao (a neighbouring city) went on strike. The next day, the government of Boluarte declared a state of emergency in 11 districts of the capital, Lima, for 60 days.

The state of emergency means that there is an increased police presence across these areas and the deployment of members of the National Army. In the announcement, the president of the Council of Ministers, Gustavo Adrianzen, stated, “In the fight against crime, the executive and the carriers are on the same side.”

The next day, a fire mysteriously broke out at a bus depot in Lima and 25 buses were burnt. Many suspect it was retaliation by criminal groups. One week later, on October 7, a hitman boarded a bus in Callao and proceeded to shoot at the driver and several passengers, killing four. The incident ignited the growing anger of not just the transport workers but also society in general.

Small business owners have also been targeted in this rising wave of extortion as they, too are forced to pay tolls to criminal groups to operate.

Demands for security

Given this situation, several transport unions, merchants, students, and other social organisations called for a national strike in cities across Peru from October 10-12. The largest demonstrations took place in Lima in front of the national congress to demand more effective measures against organised crime, as well as the repeal of laws that allegedly hinder the action of security agents.

According to the demonstrators, Law 32108 makes it difficult for extortion investigations to be quick and effective. In addition, they complained that the law limits the application of the corresponding norms that sanction criminal organisations that practice extortion and contract killings.

The work stoppage affected millions of Peruvians who could not travel regularly to their workplaces or their schools and universities. The executive suspended classes and requested companies not penalise workers who, due to the lack of transport, could not get to work.

Repression by the Boluarte government

Despite having pledged that the state was on the side of transport workers, the executive did not seem to be very sympathetic to the 5,000 demonstrators who were stationed outside the national congress and in several streets of the capital, which was guarded by nearly 14,000 police and military personnel. Police responded forcefully to the protest to repress the demonstrators in Lima.

According to the Secretary of the Interior Juan Jose Santivanez, 16 people were arrested, and one demonstrator was seriously injured when he was run over by a police motorcycle on Thursday 10. Several demonstrators have complained about the extreme harshness with which the police acted against the demonstrators.

A new national strike

Talks between the strike leaders and some legislators were unsuccessful. After a brief meeting, Miguel Palomino, president of the National Association of Drivers, said, “The strike continues … It [Law 32108] must be repealed at all costs. The population has to understand that congress, in my opinion, does not have the political will [to resolve the security crisis]. Therefore, the strike continues for 72 hours, and we call on the entire population. This is a clamour of the people.”

In addition, Palomino denounced that secretary Santivanez referred to the demonstrators as “terrorists,” something that the Boluarte government has done in the past when faced with any kind of political resistance in the streets.

Faced with the refusal of the executive and the legislative, the protesters have announced the creation of a national co-ordination of struggle that brings together the different groups mobilised against crime.

They also called on all Peruvians to join a national strike and a massive mobilisation to demand the departure of President Boluarte and the members of congress who did not support the repeal of the aforementioned laws. The date was originally set for November 12, but according to reports, it may take place earlier.

This article appeared on PeoplesDispatch.org.