Threats in Focus: Peru

Introduction

Home to a wealth of natural resources, Peru is located in western South America and spans over a 1,285,220km² area. The boundaries with Colombia and Brazil traverse lower ranges or tropical forests, whereas the borders with Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador run across the high Andes. The name Peru is derived from a Quechua word implying land of abundance, a reference to the economic wealth produced by the rich Inca civilization that ruled the region for centuries. One of the most popular locations for tourists is Machu Picchu, a location of historic Inca ruins located approximately 80 kilometres (50 miles) northwest of Cuzco.

In 2022, Transparency International scored Peru 36/100 (the closer to 0, the more corrupt), indicating Peru continues to struggle in their push to combat corruption. However, although we have seen spikes in 2017 and 2020, its corruption score has decreased over the last 10 years. Despite efffforts to address the issue, the government’s credibility has been eroded by numerous corruption scandals, leading to a decrease in public trust. Furthermore, allegations of abuse of power and election irregularities persist, causing disturbances in the democratic process.

Crime is a major concern in the country, with large economic disparities within the country, often leading to civil and labor unrest. Environmentally, the coastal areas of the country are particularly vulnerable to signifificant earthquakes and tsunamis, while the wet season poses a high risk of intense rainfalls and thunderstorms. These weather events have the potential to cause catastrophic flfloods and landslides.

This high-level report is intended to provide an insight into the most significant security risks in Peru at present, and a forecast of how these risks may evolve.