The Asociación de Transportistas del Servicio Urbano de Transporte del Perú is planning a major protest this week, citing a lack of government action to address escalating violence and extortion targeting transport workers.
The Asociación de Transportistas del Servicio Urbano de Transporte del Perú (ATSUPER), representing over 100 formal public transportation companies, has called for a march on Thursday, March 5. The demonstration is intended to pressure national authorities to address the growing wave of crime and extortion impacting Lima and Callao.
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Frank Gómez Santillana, a spokesperson for ATSUPER, stated that the planned “man-machine” march will focus on the Congress of the Republic and the Presidential Palace in downtown Lima. The protest stems from the failure to implement Law No. 32490, which provides for preventative measures and compensation for the families of murdered drivers.
The lack of effective measures to protect transport workers is raising serious concerns about safety in the region. According to figures from the International Chamber of Transport, six transport workers have been killed in Lima and Callao so far this year in attacks linked to extortion.
The association alleges that promised preventative measures and the Inter-Institutional Group against Extortion and Homicide (GIES) have not been put into action. Gómez Santillana detailed that the GIES, which should include representatives from the National Police, the Judiciary, and the Prosecutor’s Office, “is not functioning,” leaving transport workers vulnerable to criminal organizations.
Protesters are expected to gather in Plaza 2 de Mayo or Plaza San Martín before marching through the historic center to voice their demands to the executive and legislative branches.
ATSUPER members are seeking the full implementation of Law No. 32490, which aims to provide support to the families of drivers killed as a result of extortion and violence. The case underscores the challenges facing Peru’s transportation sector and the need for stronger security measures.
