Three dead in extortion attack on combi in SJM, Peru

The streets of San Juan de Miraflores (SJM) were once again stained with blood after becoming the scene of a new crime that grieves several families. On the afternoon of Tuesday, March 17, criminals attacked a combi with bullets from the San Pedro de Pamplona company, whose vehicles are known as ‘Los Rojitos’.

According to preliminary information, three people were shot: the driver, the person in the co-pilot’s seat, and the person sitting behind the driver. Two died on the spot, while the driver lost his life in a local clinic. The case points to an extortionate attack against the company, which is demanded a weekly payment of between 15 and 20 thousand soles. Another company in a similar situation is E.T. San Pedro. Both have been the target of constant attacks since the last months of 2025. “My nephew’s name was Jorge Vargas, he was 22 years old and was driving the vehicle. He had gone into debt with the bank only 3 months ago to buy the van. They were extorting him, as well as several other companies. He was paying protection money to two criminal organizations. There are already 4 dead,” declared the victim’s uncle to Ocurre Ahora, a news program on ATV.

In an act of solidarity in the face of what happened, the transporters of ‘Los Rojitos’ decided to stop their operations and park their vehicles a few meters from the crime scene. They are evaluating demonstrating more actively.

We recommend reading:Ecuador destroys 129 illegal mining camps in a national park near Peru

How did the attack happen?

The van, which had all the seats occupied, was traveling along Miguel Iglesias Avenue, at the height of the German arch, around 6 in the afternoon, when it received the burst of bullets. According to the images from the security cameras in the area, a subject was on the central reservation waiting for the vehicle to approach. When it stopped briefly to pick up passengers, the attacker fired his gun at the unit and then escaped on foot, disappearing into the streets of the district. This way, the shots hit the driver and the other two people. It is speculated that one of them would be the unit’s fare collector, who was sitting behind the cabin. However, there is still no official information about it. Agents of the Peruvian National Police (PNP) informed the press that the criminal, who was wearing a cap along with a hood to hide his identity, had carried out his escape aboard a motorcycle.

Extortions on the decline, according to former prime minister

Before leaving office, Denisse Miralles, then-president of the Council of Ministers, announced that extortions decreased by 40% nationwide between January and March 15, 2026, compared to the same period in 2025, thanks to the National Citizen Security and Fight against Crime Plan 2026-2028.

You can also read:An agreement signed by 150 organizations warns of setbacks in human rights in Peru

It also reported a 7% decrease in homicides. According to the report, the National Police carried out focused operations, preventive patrols and inspection actions, in addition to strengthening intelligence and criminal investigation. Finally, it revealed that nearly 6,000 new police officers will be incorporated, with 2,000 specializing in investigation, to reinforce the state presence against crime.