Peruvians go to the polls Sunday for a presidential runoff, with crime and extortion as top concerns. - Extortion complaints in Peru increased fivefold in five years, reaching 28,948 cases in 2025.
- Killings doubled to 2,226 in 2025, driven by gangs funded by illegal gold mining. - In Trujillo, small businesses, schools, and transport workers are targeted; many pay monthly fees to avoid violence.
- Police lack resources and technology to track digital extortion payments, and laws hinder prosecutions. The election pits conservative Keiko Fujimori against progressive Roberto Sánchez, both criticized for supporting laws that weaken anti-crime efforts.