The Government regulated Law No. 32490, which establishes extraordinary measures against crimes of extortion and hitmen, through the approval of Supreme Decree No. 009-2026-PCM, published today in the official newspaper El Peruano.
The rule strengthens the legal framework aimed at protecting public transportation and freight companies, one of the sectors hardest hit by criminal organizations, and seeks to guarantee the continuity of an essential service for the national economy, employment and mobility of millions of Peruvians.
The supreme decree provides for the immediate implementation of comprehensive actions that cover prevention, police response, protection of victims and economic recovery, consolidating a State strategy against extortion and contract killings.
Among the main provisions, the control of financial flows related to extortion payments is reinforced, under the supervision of the Superintendency of Banking, Insurance and AFP (SBS), in coordination with the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) and the National Police of Peru (PNP), with the aim of detecting and dismantling the economic networks of organized crime.
Likewise, police intelligence mechanisms are implemented, such as the preparation of georeferenced crime maps, which will allow identifying critical areas and optimizing the planning of preventive and dissuasive operations.
The standard also empowers the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to evaluate and certify safe routes, stops, terminals and vehicles, progressively incorporating security technologies such as video surveillance cameras and panic buttons integrated into police command and control systems.
Police response and victim protection
On the other hand, the supreme decree establishes the deployment of command centers and focused patrolling, with the participation of units specialized in extortion and hitmen, articulated with the video surveillance systems of local and regional governments.
Victim protection mechanisms are also reinforced, which include identity reservation, guidance channels, panic buttons and focused patrolling, guaranteeing timely and comprehensive attention to those who suffer these crimes.
Blow to criminal assets
As part of the post-crime strategy, the law contemplates the creation of a fund for the economic recovery of affected companies, psychological care for victims and job reintegration programs.
In addition, asset forfeiture is strengthened to directly affect the assets of criminal organizations and an Interinstitutional Group against Extortion and Hiring Contractors is created, which will coordinate joint investigations between the PNP, the Public Ministry, the Judiciary and the FIU.
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