Peru launches crime-fighting offensive after bus drivers’ strike paralyzes Lima

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By Marco Aquino

LIMA (Reuters) -Peru’s government declared a 60-day state of emergency in districts around Lima on Thursday to fight a rise in crime, the nation’s prime minister Gustavo Adrianzen said, as striking bus drivers strangled traffic in a bid for more security.

Adrianzen announced the state of emergency in 12 districts of metropolitan Lima and the neighboring Callao province during a press conference. The measure will put Peru’s armed forces out on the streets and help police clamp down on a wave of extortions that has plagued the capital.

“Extortion, although more visible as a result of the recent problem with the transporters, nowadays we have different small businessmen and entrepreneurs who are also victims of this crime,” he said.

Public transport was scarce on Thursday as thousands of commuters were left stranded at bus stops and unable to go to work, local TV images showed.

The government suspended classes in Metropolitan Lima and urged firms to allow remote work or let employees show up late to their shifts.

“We’re striking because of the insecurity, and the lack of empathy from the government in regard to this wave of extortions,” said Hector Vargas, who heads a transportation union representing 63 companies.

A bus driver was killed on Sunday for refusing to fall victim to a shakedown, police said. A passenger also was wounded in the attack. Four drivers have been killed since the end of August.

At the press conference, Defense Minister Walter Astudillo said the government will send a bill to Congress to classify hired assassination, kidnapping, extortion and illegal possession of firearms as “urban terrorism,” to toughen penalties for these crimes.

He added that the capacity of a prison located at 4,600 meters (15,092 feet) above sea level for those sentenced for urban terrorism will be increased and that the government will evaluate if it is possible to extend the state of emergency to other areas of the country.

(Reporting by Marco Aquino and Carlos Valdez for Reuters TV; Editing by Sarah Morland and Bill Berkrot)