Peru 2019 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru.

The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Peru at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions. Do not travel to the Colombian border area in the Loreto Region due to crime, or the area in central Peru known as the Valley of the Rivers Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro (VRAEM) due to crime and terrorism.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

The U.S. Embassy in Lima does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The American Citizen Services Unit cannot recommend a particular individual service provider or location and assumes no responsibility for the quality of service provided. All statistics provided derive from local law enforcement or government authorities.

Review OSAC’s country-specific page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.

Crime Threats

There is serious risk from crime in Lima. Armed robbery, assault, burglary, and petty theft are common in Lima and many parts of the country. Violence targeting foreigners is infrequent, and the rate of crime is level or decreasing in many areas, but everyone should exercise caution and maintain a heightened level of awareness in public.

Foreign visitors are vulnerable to crime; criminals may perceive them as carrying greater amounts of cash or other valuables, such as cameras, than the average Peruvian. While U.S. Embassy personnel and foreign residents normally reside in affluent areas with significant private security and local police presence, they are not immune. Residential burglaries are most common when houses are vacant, but thieves will also attempt to enter occupied residences via unsecured doors and windows, tricking domestic employees, or forcing access through residential perimeters.

In Lima, robberies are common along the routes from the airport to tourist hotels. Armed robbers occasionally target tourists with suitcases loading or unloading taxis at hotels; these are usually crimes of opportunity.

Vehicular vandalism and theft occurs throughout Lima. Criminals steal spare parts and sell them on the black market. Park in well-lighted areas, preferably in a paid parking lot.

Peru 2019 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

Counterfeit currency is a concern in Peru; only change money in reputable banks and exchange locations that use currency machines that, in addition to counting the money, detect most counterfeit currency. Criminals also target some ATMs to get card information, which allows them to clone cards and make unauthorized withdrawals. It is best to use ATMs in open banks during business hours. For more information, review OSAC’s Report, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud.

Credit cards are widely used in Lima. The employee processing the transaction will normally ask the customer for ID. The card reader (and credit card) should be in the presence of the customer throughout the transaction.

There have been some instances of persons drugged in bars and clubs for the purpose of robbery. Pay careful attention to drinks as they are poured, and do not leave them unattended. For more information, review OSAC’s Report Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad.

Post-Specific Concerns

Many areas of Peru are very remote. Medical assistance or search and rescue services are often unavailable. Weather conditions, especially in mountainous areas, can change quickly. Fully prepared for low temperatures and wet weather before venturing into the wilderness. Jungle travel can be extremely hazardous without an experienced guide.

The Embassy maintains two restricted travel zones within Peru due to possible terrorist and/or significant criminal activity. These are the Valley of the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM) and an area 20 km south of the Colombian border, except for travel on the Amazon River itself. The VRAEM consists of emergency zones as declared by the Government of Peru. There are virtually no facilities or tourist sites in these areas:

Ayacucho: Restricted: Most districts in the provinces of La Mar and Huanta.

Cusco: Restricted: Eight out of fourteen districts in the province of La Convención, especially those areas adjacent to the Apurimac River.

Huancavelica: Restricted: Many districts within the provinces of Churcampa and Tayacaja.

Junín: Restricted: Districts within the provinces of Satipo, Concepción, and Huancayo.

Under Peruvian law, all persons must carry one form of valid photo identification. Avoid carrying original passports whenever possible; locked them in a hotel safe or another secure location and carry a photocopy of the data/biographic page, the page containing the visa (if needed), and a copy of the Peruvian immigration form received at the port of entry.

Peru 2019 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

Several competent private security businesses operate in Peru, many of which offer a wide variety of services such as executive protection, private investigations, guard services for large events, armored car services, and physical security for work and residential locations. The Regional Security Office is available to discuss security concerns or to assist OSAC constituents.

Transportation-Safety Situation

For more information, review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.

Road Safety and Road Conditions

Due to poor infrastructure and some criminal activity, traveling by road at night is especially hazardous. The Embassy travel policy prohibits nighttime road travel outside of cities, except for the Pan-American Highway north to Huacho and south to Paracas. The Embassy does allow personnel to take night buses along the entire Pan-American Highway, to Huaraz, on the route to Arequipa, and from Arequipa to Cusco. Private bus companies have higher prices and are generally safer.

Many roads, especially in the mountains, are unpaved and narrow with sudden drop-offs. Landslides occur frequently during the rainy season. For more information on self-driving, review OSAC’s Report Driving Overseas: Best Practices.

Public Transportation Conditions

The Embassy recommends using a trusted driver or taxi services that have stands in the airport. Before paying for a service, ask if the car has “lamina,” or security film, which prevents windows from shattering if struck by thieves. For taking taxis around Lima, the Embassy recommends using app-based taxi services, such as Uber or Taxi Satelital. Arranging a taxi service known to or contracted by hotels is another good option.

Terrorism Threat

Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns

There is moderate risk from terrorism in Lima. Terrorism in Peru is now uncommon; remnants of the Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) terrorist group are only active in the VRAEM (Valley of the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers). In 2018, Sendero Luminoso successfully targeted Peruvian police and military forces in this area. International terrorism is always a concern, but there is little evidence of continued significant activity by known international terrorist groups.

Peru 2019 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

Civil Unrest

There is moderate risk from civil unrest in Lima. Protests are common throughout Peru, but are usually peaceful. Occasionally, police use tear gas to maintain public order if protests get out of control, but they usually use restraint. Avoid protest activity.

Anti-U.S. Sentiment

There is little anti-U.S. sentiment in Peru; however, certain sectors of Peruvian society, including illegal coca growers, resent U.S. counternarcotic policies.

Post-specific Concerns

Environmental Hazards

Earthquakes are commonplace; visitors should be prepared. Several devastating earthquakes have occurred throughout Peru’s history. Strong recent earthquakes have caused casualties and infrastructure damage.

Floods and landslides occur frequently during the rainy season, and may result in extended road closures. In 2017, heavy rains near the coast resulted in 62 deaths and 12,000 destroyed homes.

Personal Identity Concerns

Same-sex sexual activity is legal. A 2017 presidential decree prohibits all forms of discrimination and hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Drug-related Crimes

Narcotics production and trafficking continues to be a problem; Peru is one of the top two producers of cocaine. Peru exports the vast majority of the refined product, but the widespread production of cocaine in the VRAEM has contributed to a growing illegal drug presence in the cities.

Ayahuasca retreats, in which tourists use a traditional hallucinogen made from the Ayahuasca vine, are popular. Tourists have suffered severe medical problems, including brain damage, from Ayahuasca use. Unscrupulous purveyors of Ayahuasca may not be qualified in traditional preparation techniques. Tourists have reported sexual abuse while under the influence.

Peru 2019 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

Police Response

Peru’s national police force, the Policía Nacional del Perú (PNP), has nationwide jurisdiction. The PNP is modernizing, but officers often lack the training and resources for full effectiveness. Tourism police assist visitors in areas international travelers frequent. In general, police may be slow to respond and do not conduct effective investigations, although filing a police report after a theft may be useful for insurance purposes. Motorists report that some police ask for bribes during traffic stops.

In Lima and other towns, many municipalities supplement PNP presence through an unarmed security force known as Serenazgo. Crime Victim Assistance

Foreign victims of a crime should contact the Policía de Turismo (tourism police) whenever possible. The tourism police, found in major tourist areas, are generally helpful and are more likely to speak English. These officers receive training on how to interact with tourists. If tourism police are not available, ask for the nearest police station (comisaría).

Lima Tourism Police: 460-1060; North Downtown: 423-3500; Central 105; Office: 332-3222

Police Stations in Lima Chiclayo San Isidro: 440-0374 Region: 943897073 Orrantia: 264-1932 Turismo: (074) 238599 Miraflores: 445-4216 Monterrico: 435-0688 Chimbote La Molina: 368-1871 Police Department: (043)323380 Santa Felicia: 355-0451/348-7213 Chacarilla: 372-6614/265-7195 Cusco San Borja: 225-5184/226-8332 Region: (084) 231788 Barranco: 247-1160 Police Department: (084) 257359 Tourism Police: (084) 235123 Arequipa Command Post: (054) 252688 Huancayo Regional Director: (054) 251277 Region: (064) 200091 Tourism Police: (054) 282613 Police Department (064) 211637 Tourism Police: (064) 202022 Ayacucho Region: (066) 311907 Huánuco Police Department: (066) 319466 Region: (062) 512220 Tourism Police: (066) 315892 Police Department: 980122965 Tourism Police: (062) 513529/ Cajamarca 962628479 Sub Region: 980122992 Tourism Police: 980122406 Comisaria Baños Del Inca:976858772 Comisaria Central: 980122993 Comisaria San Jose: 976858647 (continues next page) Peru 2019 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

Huaraz Piura Tourism Police: (043) 422487 Region: 980121523 Region: (043) 421592 / Police Department: 980121525 422920 Tourism Police: (073) 323139 Police Department: (043) 427434 Puno Ica Region: 980122985/ (051) Region: (056) 224350 353988 Tourism Police: (056) 221900 Police Department: (051) 368436 Tourism Police: (051) 352303 Ilo Provincial: (053) 481110 Trujillo Region: (044) 232811 Iquitos Tourism Police: (044) 291705 Region: (065) 242224 Police Department: (065) 231852 Tumbes Tourism Police: (065) 242081 Region: 980122459 Police Department: (072) 523888

Medical Emergencies

Emergency medical service is generally reliable in Peru. The U.S. Embassy health unit recommends the use of private ambulance services whenever possible; find telephone numbers for these services in local directories. The quality of medical facilities also varies from location to location. U.S. health insurance is almost never accepted; for this reason, patients must provide cash or credit card to receive treatment.

The following is a list of clinics, many of which have staff who are familiar with U.S. healthcare and speak some basic English:

Hospital Name Telephone Numbers Physical Address Clínica Anglo American 511-616-8900 Av. Salazar s/n, Cuadra 3, San Isidro Clínica San Felipe 511-219-0000 Av. Gregorio Escobdeo 650, Jesus Maria Clínica San Borja 511-702-4300 Av. Guardia Civil 337, San Borja Clínica El Golf 511-631-0000 Av. Aurelio Miro Quesada 1030, San Isidro Clínica Anglo American Urgent 511-616-8990 Av. La Fontana 362, La Molina Care Center Clínica San Felipe Urgent Care 511-618-219-0000 ext. Av. Javier Prado Este 4841, La Center 718 Molina

Clínica Good Hope 511-610-7300 Malecón Balta 956, Miraflores

Peru 2019 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

Peruvian National Police High Mountain Rescue Unit ("USAM") Tel: 51-1-575-4696, 51-1-575-4698, 51-1-575-1555 Fax: 51-1-575-3036 E-mail: [email protected]

Lima, Cusco and Iquitos clinics and specialties: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/peru/5/resources/2012-10_doctor_list.pdf

Available Air Ambulance Services

For air medical evacuation services, consider purchasing private air medical evacuation (medevac) insurance before travel. Medevac costs can run into the tens of thousands of dollars without insurance. The Embassy can assist visitors with further information about available services. For more information, please refer to OSAC’s Report, “Medical Evacuation: A Primer.”

Insurance Guidance

Strongly consider purchasing international health insurance before travel.

Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance

The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Peru.

OSAC Country Council Information

There is an active OSAC Country Council in Lima that encourages all eligible companies to join. For further information, contact the Regional Security Office of the U.S. Embassy at 511-618- 2000 ext. 2308, or e-mail [email protected].

U.S. Embassy Location and Contact Information

U.S. Embassy Lima, Peru Telephone: (51-1) 618-2000 Avenida La Encalada cdra. 17 s/n Fax: (51-1) 618-2397 Surco, Lima 33 Security Office: (51-1) 618-2308 Marine Guard (24 Hours): (51-1) 618-2001 Monday–Friday 0730-1700 Website: http://pe.usembassy.gov

Embassy Guidance

U.S. citizens traveling to Peru should register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to ensure they receive pertinent security updates and notices.