Executive Summary
The interprovincial transport sector in Peru is currently navigating an unprecedented security crisis, characterized by a surge in violent attacks that have paralyzed business operations and endangered the lives of thousands of passengers and drivers. Martín Ojeda, a leading spokesperson for the sector, has sounded a clarion call to national authorities, revealing that the number of criminal acts against transport companies in the first seven months of 2025 has already eclipsed the total figures recorded for the entire previous year. This escalating wave of insecurity, coupled with systemic issues regarding fuel subsidies and labor shortages, has prompted an urgent intervention from the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC).
The Anatomy of the Crisis: A Statistical Breakdown
The data provided by industry representatives paints a grim picture of the current landscape. According to Martín Ojeda, as of July 31, 2025, the transport sector has recorded 113 documented attacks. To put this figure into perspective, the total number of attacks for the entirety of 2024 stood at 107.
This statistical shift represents more than just a numerical increase; it signals a systemic failure in the state’s ability to protect the vital logistics arteries of the nation. In the last two months alone, over seven major interprovincial transport companies have been targeted by criminal elements. These incidents range from highway ambushes and armed robberies to targeted shootings against buses, such as the widely publicized attack on a Cruz del Sur vehicle in San Luis, which served as a catalyst for the current public outcry.
The Multi-Front Challenge
While insecurity is the primary focus, the sector is struggling under the weight of three interconnected crises:
- Security: The prevalence of organized crime syndicates targeting buses for extortion and cargo theft.
- Economic Policy: A persistent failure in the government’s administration of fuel subsidy returns, which has crippled the financial liquidity of many transport firms.
- Human Capital: A growing scarcity of professional drivers, exacerbated by the danger inherent in the profession, leading to a "brain drain" of qualified personnel.
Chronology of Escalation
The deterioration of public safety on Peruvian highways has not occurred in a vacuum. It is the result of months of unchecked criminal expansion.
- Early 2025: Initial reports of petty extortion against bus lines began to surface, initially dismissed by local authorities as isolated incidents of opportunistic crime.
- May–June 2025: The frequency of attacks spiked. The professionalization of these criminal groups became evident as they began using coordinated tactics to stop vehicles on major interprovincial routes.
- July 2025: The situation reached a breaking point. With the total number of attacks surpassing the 2024 annual record, transport guilds began to publicly demand direct meetings with the executive branch.
- The Current Moment: The Ministry of Transport, under the leadership of Minister Rafael Rey, has finally convened a high-level dialogue scheduled for this Friday at 4:00 p.m. to address the immediate cessation of violence.
Official Responses and Political Friction
The response from the executive branch has been met with both cautious optimism and pointed criticism from industry leaders. Minister of Transport Rafael Rey is set to hold a crucial coordination meeting to discuss the aforementioned three-point agenda.
However, the political landscape surrounding this crisis is fraught with tension. Martín Ojeda has publicly lamented the lack of inclusivity regarding upcoming presidential meetings. Reports suggest that President Keiko Fujimori intends to hold a summit this Saturday to discuss national issues, including transport security. Ojeda, however, notes that his guild has not been invited to the table.
The Risk of Politicization
Ojeda issued a stern warning to the administration regarding the selection of stakeholders. "When a guild institution becomes a political tool, it is a grave error; it becomes desnaturalized," Ojeda remarked during an appearance on RPP’s Las Cosas Como Son. He argued that by focusing solely on select groups—specifically the National Corporation of Transport Companies (CONET), led by Julio Rau Rau—the government risks ignoring the broader, more representative needs of the entire transport sector.
The industry’s stance is clear: they are not seeking the resignation of officials, but rather a tangible shift in strategy. They are calling for a fundamental improvement in the National Police’s (PNP) preventive operations, demanding that intelligence units prioritize highway security over reactive measures that occur only after lives have been lost.
The Economic and Social Implications
The implications of this crisis extend far beyond the balance sheets of transport companies. Interprovincial transport is the lifeblood of the Peruvian economy, connecting remote regions with major urban centers. When this system is compromised, the effects ripple through the entire national supply chain.
Impact on the Passenger Experience
The psychological toll on the traveling public cannot be understated. As headlines regarding bus shootings become a weekly occurrence, the public’s confidence in interprovincial travel has plummeted. This creates a negative feedback loop: reduced ridership leads to reduced revenue for transport companies, which in turn limits their ability to invest in private security or upgraded safety technology, leaving them even more vulnerable to criminal elements.
The Burden on the Logistics Chain
In addition to passenger transport, the insecurity threatens the movement of goods. If companies cannot guarantee the safety of their routes, insurance premiums for logistics firms will inevitably rise, leading to increased costs for consumers at the end of the supply chain. This inflationary pressure comes at a time when the Peruvian economy is already struggling to maintain stability.
Looking Forward: A Call for Structural Reform
As the Friday meeting with Minister Rafael Rey approaches, the transport sector is united in its demand for a comprehensive "National Highway Security Plan."
The Necessary Pivot
The industry is pushing for three specific policy changes:
- Enhanced Intelligence: Moving beyond mere patrol cars on highways. The guilds are calling for the use of intelligence units to track and dismantle the criminal networks that organize these attacks, rather than just reacting to individual incidents.
- Subsidy Transparency: A streamlined, efficient mechanism for the return of fuel subsidies, which would provide companies with the financial breathing room needed to implement internal security protocols, such as satellite tracking and onboard surveillance systems.
- Cross-Sector Representation: A demand for the government to maintain a "technocratic, non-partisan" approach to these meetings, ensuring that all major stakeholders—not just those with political connections—are included in the policy-making process.
Conclusion: The Path Ahead
The situation in Peru is a critical test for the current administration’s commitment to public order. With the 2025 statistics showing a clear and dangerous upward trend, the time for diplomatic delays has passed. The transport sector has made its position clear: they are ready to collaborate, but they are also prepared to hold the government accountable for the safety of the workers and citizens who keep the country moving.
The upcoming meetings represent a "make or break" moment. If the government can demonstrate a concrete, actionable plan to suppress the violence, the industry may find the stability it needs to recover. If, however, the meetings serve only as a venue for political posturing, the sector risks further volatility, potential work stoppages, and a deeper crisis of confidence that could have long-lasting consequences for the Peruvian state.
As the industry waits for Friday’s outcome, the message remains the same: the roads must be secured, the subsidies must be honored, and the voices of the transport workers must be heard, not as political tokens, but as the essential backbone of the national economy.
