Peru Grapples with Corruption, Organized Crime, and Human Rights Concerns

Corruption Remains a Persistent Issue in Peru

Despite efforts to investigate and prosecute high-level politicians, corruption remains a significant problem in Peru. The country has ratified various international conventions against corruption, but enforcement is weak.

• Corrupt practices continue to thrive due to inadequate institutional capacity and lack of effective oversight.
• Investigation and prosecution of high-level politicians are often hindered by political interference and resource constraints.
• Corruption undermines trust in institutions and hinders economic development, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and inequality.

Organized Crime Groups Flourish in Peru

Organized crime groups have taken control of certain areas along the borders with Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile, engaging in human smuggling and other illicit activities. The Shining Path and drug trafficking clans continue to flourish due to Peru’s strategic location for the cocaine trade.

• Organized crime groups exploit weaknesses in the justice system and law enforcement agencies.
• Corruption and bribery facilitate their operations, further entrenching their influence.
• The presence of organized crime groups has severe consequences for human rights, including violence against civilians and journalists.

Judicial System Fails to Deliver

The judicial system is slow and lacks trustworthiness, particularly in organized crime cases that are not high-profile. Budget cuts and transfers of officers have raised concerns about political retaliation and weakened investigations into corruption and organized crime.

• Inadequate resources and infrastructure hinder the efficiency of the justice system.
• Corruption and political interference compromise the independence and impartiality of judges and prosecutors.
• The lack of trust in the judicial system erodes public confidence and perpetuates a cycle of impunity.

Police Effectiveness is Minimal

Police effectiveness in crime prevention and control is minimal due to budget constraints, limiting their ability to combat organized crime and drug trafficking.

• Limited resources hinder the police’s ability to gather intelligence, conduct investigations, and engage in effective community policing.
• Corruption within the police force further undermines its credibility and effectiveness.
• The lack of effective policing perpetuates a culture of impunity and enables organized crime groups to flourish.

Human Rights Concerns Mount

Journalists face judicial harassment, physical and verbal abuse by political activists, and inadequate protection despite press freedom guarantees. Environmental defenders have been killed by actors linked to drug trafficking, illegal logging, and mining, leading to human rights abuses.

• Journalists are targeted for their investigative reporting on corruption and organized crime.
• Environmental defenders are killed for exposing the environmental impact of illicit activities.
• Human rights abuses are perpetuated by a culture of impunity and lack of effective oversight.

Informal Economy Thrives

The informal economy in Peru has grown and become more prevalent in multiple economic sectors, with organized crime particularly prevalent on the north coast of the country.

• The informal economy thrives due to inadequate regulation and enforcement.
• Organized crime groups exploit weaknesses in labor laws and regulations.
• The informal economy perpetuates a culture of impunity and undermines trust in institutions.

Money Laundering Remains a Concern

Despite adequate legal frameworks and policies on money laundering, there is a need to prioritize investigations and increase resources to strengthen the operational and management capacity of the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

• Inadequate resources hinder the effective investigation and prosecution of money laundering cases.
• Corruption within financial institutions facilitates money laundering operations.
• The lack of effective oversight perpetuates a culture of impunity and enables organized crime groups to flourish.