In a press conference held in December of last year, the governor of the La Libertad region, César Acuña Peraltamade a mea culpa for the lack of leadership in the fight against crime and pledged to make a change in 2024. However, in light of the facts, there is little difference in how to confront the crime wave and, therefore, the spiral of violence continues over time.
SEE MORE: Mayors of La Libertad demand death penalty for criminals
Blood and gunpowder
Indeed, according to cold statistics, the La Libertad region continues to be one of the most violent in the country. In 2023, from January to October, 283 murders were recorded and in 2024, in the same period, 239 homicides have been perpetrated. There are a little more than two months left until the end of the year and the trend allows us to infer that this last figure will continue to rise.
To date, the bloodiest month is February, with 34 murders. They are followed by January (33), May (33), September (28), August (26), March (25), June (18), July (18), April (13) and so far in October (11) .
READ MORE: Trujillo: They demand that the Government stop the criminal wave in El Porvenir
Emergency
Now, despite the states of emergency due to insecurity and their respective extensions decreed in Trujillo, Pataz and Virú, these provinces in the La Libertad region continue to lead the homicide statistics, both last year and in 2024.
According to the 2023 consolidated report, Trujillo recorded 159 murders; while Virú, 59 and Pataz, 45. The three lasted the year as the most violent provinces in the La Libertad region.
YOU CAN READ: La Libertad: Seven skeletons found in a common grave in Pataz
No Exit
Unfortunately, this harsh reality remains. And so far in 2024, Trujillo has already been the scene of 102 homicides; Virú, 40 and Pataz, 30. They are followed by Pacasmayo (23), Ascope (16), Chepén (9), Sánchez Carrión (6), Gran Chimú (4), Otuzco (4), Santiago de Chuco (2), Bolívar (2) and Julcán (1).
READ HERE: La Libertad: Mayor of Pataz asks for the death penalty for kidnappers and extortionists
salute to the flag
The mayor of the Provincial Municipality of Pataz, Aldo Carlos Mariños, maintains that the states of emergency decreed in his area of operations do not give results because they are not properly implemented and focused.
“We have been in a state of emergency for almost a year and there are no results. The criminal gangs have not been found. In Pataz, the only thing they have done is send police to defend the Poderosa mining company, not the town. The State is at the service of private companies. The state of emergency is a salute to the flag,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Trujillo, Mario Reyna Rodríguez, has been clear in his position regarding the issue of the crime wave and has proposed drastic measures such as Peru withdrawing from the Pact of San José in Costa Rica and approving the death penalty. death for hitmen, kidnappers and extortionists.
Curfew
For his part, the mayor of El Porvenir, Juan Carranza, has proposed decreeing a curfew in the state of emergency, since many commercial and entertainment activities continue to be held as if we were not in a state of emergency.
SEE HERE: La Libertad: The state of emergency is extended in the provinces of Trujillo, Pataz and Virú
Emergencies
So far this year, the Executive has issued six supreme decrees declaring an emergency due to insecurity in the province of Trujillo, four in Pataz and three in Virú.
