Peruvian Schoolchildren Facing Threats from Extortion Gangs
Extortion gangs in Peru are increasingly targeting private schools, threatening violence if their demands for protection money are not met. This has led many schools to suspend in-person classes. President Dina Boluarte has declared a state of emergency due to rising violence linked to extortion. Citizens live in fear for their children’s safety, reflecting a deteriorating security situation in the country.
In Peru, extortion gangs have escalated their threats, now targeting fee-paying schools. These criminal organizations are pressuring school staff and parents to pay considerable sums or face violent repercussions. As a result, hundreds of private educational institutions have resorted to online classes, underscoring a deepening insecurity crisis in the nation.
The beginning of the new school year in March brought heightened anxiety to San Vicente primary and secondary school in Lima. A gang attacked the school with explosives, demanding $27,000 in protection money. Although no injuries occurred, over 1,200 students were forced to remain at home for a month as a safety measure.
Students, accompanied by anxious parents, returned to find military personnel stationed outside to ensure security. Extortion has proliferated across Latin America, particularly in Peru, with local gangs and international crime syndicates profiting significantly from this criminal activity.
The situation compelled President Dina Boluarte to declare a state of emergency in Lima to combat the rising tide of violence associated with extortion. Attacks on institutions like San Vicente, which charge substantial tuition fees, are increasingly commonplace, prompting widespread cancellations of in-person learning across private schools.
Giannina Miranda, of the Freedom to Educate Collective, reported that 325 private schools halted classroom activities indefinitely due to extortion risks. Victims remain hesitant to report threats to authorities, fearing retaliation, exacerbating the crisis.
Victims of extortion are living in constant fear. Parents express trepidation for their children’s safety amid a climate likened to the historical terror faced during Peru’s insurgency in previous decades. Public dissatisfaction with President Boluarte is growing, as reflected in polls indicating that 93% of Peruvians are dissatisfied with her leadership.
The extortion crisis in Peru has reached alarming levels, particularly affecting educational institutions. As schools cease in-person learning due to threats, the safety of children remains at paramount risk. With public dissatisfaction towards the government rising, immediate action is crucial to restore order and protect citizens from the rampant violence instigated by extortion gangs.
Original Source: www.france24.com
