Peru 2015 Crime and Safety Report

The Regional Security Office (RSO) considers the following neighborhoods to be relatively safe: Miraflores, San Isidro, Barranco, La Molina, Camacho, San Borja, Monterrico, and the eastern section of Surco. There is no guarantee that crime will not occur in these areas and care must still be exercised, particularly at night. Crime is a constant problem in Lima and most other parts of Peru. Street crime is prevalent in most urban areas, especially in Lima. All U.S. and foreign visitors are vulnerable to crime, as they are often perceived to be wealthier than the local populace and more likely to be carrying greater amounts of cash and other valuables. Pickpocketing, purse snatching, smash-and-grab robberies, thefts from unoccupied vehicles, and thefts of vehicle parts (mirrors, lights, etc.) are common crimes. Electronics (especially cameras, laptops, GPSs, smart phones, I-Pods, etc.) rank high on the list of items that criminals target. Vehicle theft (including carjacking) and theft of parts from parked vehicles occur frequently. Sport utility vehicles and sedans with expensive upgrades are the most common types of vehicles targeted by carjackers. Counterfeit currency is a significant problem in Peru, to include Euros, Nuevo Soles, Bolivianos, and Pesos Chilenos. According to the U.S. Secret Service, Peru ranks as one of the top producers of counterfeit U.S. currency in the world. The PNP seized over $35 million in counterfeit U.S. currency between 2012-2014. Credit card fraud is rampant, and many travelers have reported the theft of their card numbers. Residential burglaries, mostly of single-family homes, occur on a regular basis. While U.S. Embassy personnel and foreign residents normally reside in affluent areas where private security and local police are more effective, they can still find themselves victims of crime. Residential burglaries are most common during the day, on weekends, or holidays when houses are left vacant. Thieves often gain entry by exploiting unsecured entryways, tricking domestic employees, or forcing access to perimeter doors when the home is vacant (or appears vacant). Armed robberies, assaults, express kidnappings, carjackings, burglaries, and petty theft are a daily fact of life in Peru. While gratuitous violence committed against foreigners is infrequent, according to Peruvian National Police (PNP) statistics, assaults and robberies involving violence have been on the rise over the last five years. Violent crime, especially crimes of opportunity (robbery, carjacking, vehicle thefts, kidnapping), has been on the increase over the last few years. Peru’s murder rate dropped slightly with 1,533 murders committed in 2014, approximately 136 less than 2013 and 112 more than 2012. Counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Items produced and distributed by counterfeiters are often substandard and can even be dangerous, posing health and safety risks that range from mild to life-threatening. These items may be illegal in the U.S. and contribute negatively to social and labor issues. Areas of Concern There is no standing travel restriction in Lima. Nighttime travel via road outside the greater Lima area and other cities is prohibited for government personnel and contractors due to poor highway safety and the threat of criminals. The only exceptions are: - Travel by commercial bus on the Pan-American Highway is permitted for official/personal travel during the nighttime hours. - Travel by personal/official vehicle on the Pan-American Highway south from Lima to Paracas or north from Lima to Huacho during nighttime hours. Many areas of Peru are dangerous due to potential domestic terrorist and/or criminal activity. The U.S. Embassy enforces a Restricted Travel Policy, which is based on the Peruvian government's declared emergency zones. This policy governs the travel of official U.S. government employees and restricts or prohibits their travel. The following areas have regular security problems and are restricted for Embassy employees, who need prior approval for travel, and should be avoided by prudent travelers: Ayacucho Restricted: Provinces of La Mar and Huanta. Road travel from Ayacucho City to San Francisco City. Permitted: Daylight road travel from Ayacucho City to Huanta City. Staying within the city limits of Huanta. Daylight road travel from Pisco City (Ica department) to Ayacucho City. Cusco Restricted: 20-kilometer swath of territory contiguous to the Apurimac River and Ayacucho department (specifically: the districts of Kimbiri, Pichari, Vilcabamba, and Echarate in the province of La Convencíon). Permitted: Everywhere else, including Machu Picchu and Cusco. Huancavelica Restricted: provinces of Churcampa, Acobamba, and Tayacaja. Permitted: Train travel from Lima to Huancayo City (Junin department) and Huancavelica City. Daylight road travel from Lima to Huancayo City. Daylight road travel from Pisco City (Ica department) to Ayacucho City (Ayacucho department). Huánuco Restricted: All zones; no ground travel is permitted without the approval of the DCM. Permitted: Flying into and staying within the city limits of Huánuco City and Tingo María City. Junín Restricted: province of Satipo. In Concepcion province, travel east of San Antonio de Ocopa and Santa Rosa (located northeast of Concepcion city). The districts of Santo Domingo de Acobamba and Pariahuanca in Huancayo province. Permitted: Daylight travel from La Merced City to the Satipo provincial boundary. Loreto Restricted:20-kilometer swath of territory contiguous to the Colombia border. Travel on the Putumayo River. San Martín Restricted: provinces of Tocache, Mariscal Caceres, Huallaga, and Bellavista. Permitted: Flying only into and remaining within the city limits of Tocache City, Saposoa City, Juanjui City, and Bellavista City. Ucayali Restricted: provinces of Padre Abad and Coronel Portillo west of Pucallpa City and west of the Ucayali River. Road travel from Pucallpa City to Aguaytia City and all cities west of Aguaytia. Permitted: Flying into and remaining within the city limits of Pucallpa City and Aguaytía City. The province of Coronel Portillo east of the Ucayali River. In Arequipa, express kidnappings have become such a problem that all U.S. government personnel are prohibited from hailing taxis off of the street. U.S. government personnel TDY or on personal travel to Arequipa must utilize cabs from well-established dispatch taxi companies. It is the RSO’s recommendation that all U.S. citizens visiting Arequipa also use dispatch taxi companies. Transportation-Safety Situation Road Safety and Road Conditions Highways and other roads in Peru are in overall poor condition, creating a serious safety threat to drivers. Information on road conditions and road safety can be found on Peru’s Consular Information Sheet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_998.html. Traveling outside of Lima by road at night is hazardous due to potential domestic terrorist and/or criminal activity. Crime occurs on roads, particularly at night and outside urban areas. Criminal gangs are known to use roadblocks and rob passengers in passing cars and buses. Clandestine, impromptu roadblocks can appear on major highways. The risk is even greater on rural roads after dark. There have also been numerous smash-and-grab incidents that victimize vehicles along the known routes to/-from Jorge Chavez International Airport, Lima’s main commercial airport. In such incidents, vehicles with no security window film are targeted by thieves on foot or on motorcycles; the robbery occurs when the perpetrator approaches the passenger window of a vehicle, smashes the window, and grabs any personal belongings that are unsecured and within reach. Peru has one of the highest road fatality rates in Latin America. Public Transportation Conditions Numerous Americans have reported the theft of passports, cameras, and other valuables on overnight bus rides by thieves taking advantage of sleeping passengers or accessing their stowed luggage in the cargo area when it is opened during scheduled stops. Tourists should use radio-dispatched taxicabs rather than public transportation. There are a number of radio-dispatched taxi services available in Lima, all of which provide generally reliable service in late model sedans. These “radio taxis” offer a higher degree of security since criminals have been known to pose as taxi drivers and prey on unsuspecting individuals. The use of taxi cabs with telephone/radio dispatch does not guarantee the safety of the passenger. It is a means of risk mitigation that will decrease the probability of being the victim of an express kidnapping or other crime associated with unlicensed taxi cabs. Some dispatch taxi companies in Arequipa include: Taxi Turismo Arequipa 054-45-8080 Taxi Alfredo Pimental 054-23-5050 Taxitel 054-45-2020 Taxi Megatur 054-40-4040 Taxi Maldonado 054-28-6933 Panataxi 054-42-7878 Taxi Turismo Cayma 054-45-8989 Fono Taxi 054-45-3737 Arequpa Movil Taxi 054-26-5959 Imperial Tours 054-27-3434 American Express 054-45-6464 Inca Tour 054-45-2121 Taxi Libre 054-45-1515 Aviation/Airport Conditions Particular care should be exercised when traveling to/from Jorge Chavez International Airport. The Embassy has seen a rash of crimes in which thieves smash the car windows of slowly passing or stopped vehicles and steal items of real or perceived value from unsuspecting travelers. Caution should be used when placing valuables (specifically electronic items) into checked luggage when traveling through the airports, as several U.S. visitors have reported items being stolen from their checked luggage. The best way to view the Nazca Lines in southern Peru is by plane. Due to safety and security concerns, the Maria Reiche Airport in Nazca has been declared off-limits to all personnel working at the Embassy. Consular and RSO advise U.S. citizens to use the airports in either Ica or Pisco. The Embassy is aware of at least 10 airplane emergencies, resulting in 17 deaths, since December 2007, with the most recent event taking place in October 2010. Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence Political Violence Rating: Medium Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns The government continues its campaign to eliminate violent terrorist groups. In 2014, the government arrested members of Sendero Luminoso (SL or Shining Path), Peru’s largest and most active domestic terrorist group, which is entwined with narcotics trafficking. There were no significant terrorist attacks in 2014. However, there were 24 documented terrorist activities, primarily focused in the department of Ayacucho. This is a drop from 54 in 2013. A majority of these activities consisted of raids of small villages for supplies or to proselytize for SL. Two police officers and one soldier were killed in counter-terrorism operations in the VRAE and another 15 were wounded. The last noteworthy SL terrorist attack in Lima occurred in March 2002, when a carbomb detonated in the parking lot of a shopping mall across the street from the U.S. Embassy in the Monterrico district. The government has made strides in its fight against domestic terrorism, but the threat of attacks in parts of Peru exists. The Embassy’s Regional Security Office (RSO) advises visitors to take every precaution to avoid traveling to these areas when possible. Terrorism Rating: Medium Civil Unrest Travelers are reminded of the possibility of spontaneous protests and that public demonstrations occur frequently in Lima and other cities in the interior of Peru. Transportation strikes can occur at a moment’s notice and can affect travelers for short periods. While demonstrations are often peaceful, they can quickly escalate into violent confrontations. American citizens are advised to avoid large crowds and demonstrations and are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, maintain awareness of local events and their surroundings, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security. It is illegal in Peru for foreigners to participate in demonstrations. American citizens who have been caught up in political demonstrations in Peru have been detained and expelled. Unrest and civil disorder usually last from a few days to a few weeks and are usually manifested by political demonstrations that, at times, become violent. In 2014, there were several national protests against the government or governmental policies by a wide variety of labor and indigenous groups. Most demonstrations in Lima take place in/around the historic downtown area near the Presidential Palace and the Congress, although some do occur elsewhere. Occasionally, demonstrators have forced the temporary closure of some of Lima’s busiest streets. Political demonstrations sometimes paralyze road traffic for a few days. Demonstrators often block the Pan-American Highway, the main north-south thoroughfare along the western coast. The RSO is normally notified in advance if the police expect road closures during protests. Post-specific Concerns Environmental Hazards Earthquakes are common, and visitors should be prepared to deal with these and other natural disasters. There have been several devastating earthquakes, and Peru has the highest rating for seismic activity assigned by the U.S. Department of State. In August 2007, the south experienced an 8.0 earthquake that killed 510 people and injured thousands. Telephone communications were disrupted, and drinking water and electricity services were interrupted in many cities, including several locations in Lima. According to the Instituto de Defensa Civil del Peru (INDICE), in 2014, there were 36 recorded earthquakes. In 2013, there were 219 recorded seismic events with the largest being a 5.1 magnitude earthquake in June with the epicenter in Lima. Floods, mud/landslides are another issue. They occur with frequency during the rainy season and often result in road closures for extended periods. Although the west coast does not receive much precipitation, the mountainous Andes and jungle regions to the east experience significant precipitation during the rainy season. Massive floods left thousands stranded in Aguas Calientes (base of the Machu Picchu Mountain) in January 2010. Drug-related Crimes Narcotics production and trafficking continues to be a problem; Peru is the world’s number one producer of cocaine. The vast majority of the refined product is exported, but the widespread production of cocaine in the Huallaga and VRAEM (Apurimac, Ene, Mantaro River Valleys) areas have contributed to a growing illegal drug presence. Moreover, the high productivity level has created a steady supply of the cheaper intermediate product, cocaine paste, for sale domestically. Cocaine paste (coca paste, paco, pasta de cocaína) is a collective name given to crude intermediate stages of the cocaine preparation process, their freebase forms, and crack cocaine that is prepared from pure cocaine hydrochloride. Often combined with marijuana and smoked like a cigarette, it provides a cheaper, shorter-lived drug-induced high. The increased drug use may contribute to a higher incidence of petty theft and violent crime. In 2014, the government eradication agency, CORAH, focused on the VRAEM region. Peru eradicated an unprecedented 31,205 hectares of coca in 2014, exceeding the 23,785 hectares eradicated in 2013. Law enforcement destroyed 1,158 maceration pits at eradication sites, far exceeding the 311 pits found in 2013. Eradication is underway in the VRAEM, a region accounting for as much as 40 percent of Peru’s total potential pure cocaine production. Kidnapping Threat The number of kidnappings for ransom is underreported, based on anecdotal information received at the U.S. Embassy. The targets are usually wealthy or assumed wealthy persons residing in affluent areas. Express kidnappings, primarily short-term and geared toward robbery of personal possessions and ATM/bank withdrawals, are also a problem. Often, these criminals are taxi drivers working as part of an organized criminal group. Police Response With the exception of several specialized units, the PNP lacks professionalism by comparison to U.S. standards. Many police are eager to serve but do not have training and equipment to do so effectively. Morale is poor, pay is low, and corruption is rumored to be extensive, all of which has created an overall negative image of the police. Police response to reported crimes is slow and in many cases largely ineffective. There is a police presence in all major cities and towns, but they are often unable to respond to calls for service, and they may be unable to deter, investigate and reduce crime. Any circumstance involving a violation of the law, including traffic accidents, must be reported to the local police station. Police will not initiate an investigation of any incident until a report has been filed. According to many crime victims, the police often limit their response to taking crime reports and are incapable or unwilling in most instances to conduct meaningful investigations, and rarely arrest perpetrators. Police have been known either to solicit bribes to supplement their salaries or to accept bribes when offered. There are allegations that payoffs to corrupt police officers can be a “get out of jail free card” for criminals who are arrested. Under Peruvian law, all persons must carry one form of valid, photo identification. Travelers should carry a photocopy of the data/biographic page, the page containing the visa (if needed), and a copy of the immigration form received at the port of entry. Additionally, some type of valid original photo identification, such as a driver’s license, must also be carried. Crime Victim Assistance Foreign visitors who become victims of a crime should contact the Policia de Turismo (tourist police) whenever possible. In case of emergency a 105 line (similar to the U.S. 911 system) is available 24 hours; however, the response time is not optimal due to the lack of personnel, vehicles, and coverage.

References

OSAC. (2015, June 10). Peru 2015 Crime and Safety Report. Retrieved from https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=17788

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