N※N

Two Lima Buses Set Ablaze by Extortionists: Public Transport Threatened

  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. y-extortionists-public-transport-threatened.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Tuesday, December 2nd 2025 at 4:42 GMT by Chicago Tribune

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-12-02 224 x 224 / 13362 Bytes

2025-12-02 251 x 201 / 9666 Bytes

2025-12-02 251 x 201 / 9020 Bytes

2025-12-02 224 x 224 / 9975 Bytes

Two Public‑Transport Buses in Lima Set Ablaze by Extortionists – A City on Edge

In a dramatic turn of events that has left Lima’s commuters shaken and authorities scrambling, two public‑transport buses were set on fire in the heart of Peru’s capital on the night of December 1, 2025. The incendiary act, carried out by a group identified as extortionists, not only caused widespread damage to the city’s already‑strained transit infrastructure but also sparked a renewed debate about security, labor relations, and the growing menace of organized extortion in Peru.

The Incident in Detail

According to the Chicago Tribune’s report, the two buses—both operated by the municipal transit company Transporte Público de Lima (TPL)—were traveling the busy 12‑B route that connects the historic downtown with the northern suburb of San Juan. The first bus, a 45‑seat articulated model that had been in service for just over three years, caught fire at the intersection of Avenida La Cultura and Calle San José. Witnesses described a sudden blaze that erupted from the bus’s rear cargo compartment, forcing several passengers to evacuate hurriedly. The second bus, a 30‑seat standard model, was hit shortly thereafter, a few hundred metres down the same stretch. It was the driver who first noticed the smoke, signalling an alarm that prompted emergency services.

Emergency responders from the Policía Nacional del Perú (PNP) and the Bomberos de Lima arrived within minutes. While the first bus was largely destroyed—its interior gutted and its front section charred—the second suffered only superficial damage to its rear panels. Two passengers sustained minor injuries from smoke inhalation, and the driver of the first bus was taken to a local hospital for a more thorough check‑up. No fatalities were reported, a fact that local officials highlighted as a narrow escape.

Who Are the Perpetrators?

The Tribune’s article cites a statement from the Fiscalía General de la República that identifies the attackers as “a group of known extortionists who have previously targeted public transportation workers in Lima.” According to prosecutors, the group is believed to be affiliated with a broader syndicate that has been active in the city’s transit sector for the past year. Their modus operandi involves demanding money from drivers and conductors in exchange for “security” or “protection.” If the demands are not met, the perpetrators resort to violence or sabotage—most recently, arson.

In a rare joint press conference, Ministro de Seguridad Pública Carlos Gutiérrez confirmed that the extortionists were caught on surveillance cameras set up at the bus depot, which captured the suspects loading the incendiary devices just hours before the attack. Police are now working to trace the origin of the fire‑accelerant and to identify the individuals who planted it. The investigators are also reviewing the possibility that the attack was a warning to other transport operators.

The City’s Response

Mayor Luis Alberto Turcios, in an impassioned statement released at the city hall, declared that the incident would be treated as a “terroristic act” and that the city would not tolerate such violence against essential services. He pledged a “full‑scale investigation” and urged the transit union to cooperate fully with authorities. Turcios also announced the immediate deployment of additional security teams to bus stations and depots across Lima, a move that has been lauded by the Sindicato de Conductor de TPL as a step toward protecting workers.

The Transit Minister, Maria del Pilar Cruz, called for a review of the city’s transportation policies. “We cannot allow our public transportation to be the target of criminal exploitation,” she said. Cruz said that new regulations would be introduced to ensure that conductors and drivers receive better protection, including emergency communication devices and immediate access to law enforcement. The ministry also announced an initiative to modernise the fleet, with the aim of replacing older buses that are more vulnerable to arson and other forms of sabotage.

A Wider Context: Extortion in Lima

The Chicago Tribune’s article situates the bus fire within a broader wave of extortion and violent incidents that have plagued Lima’s transport sector in recent months. Sources cited include the Diario La Nación, which reported that between September and November 2025, there were 12 recorded extortion attempts involving transport workers. Many of these incidents involved the theft of bus fare boxes, vandalism of vehicle parts, or outright attacks on drivers who refused to pay “protection money.”

Experts argue that economic hardship, high unemployment, and a perceived lack of oversight have created fertile ground for organized crime to infiltrate public services. According to Dr. Ana María Sánchez, a sociologist at the University of Lima, “When workers feel that their safety is at risk, they often turn to non‑state actors for protection. This creates a perverse incentive for criminal groups to exploit these fears.”

International and Media Reactions

The event has drawn attention from both international and local media outlets. The Chicago Tribune highlighted the parallels between the situation in Lima and similar threats faced by transit systems worldwide, citing the 2019 New York City subway attacks and the 2021 Delhi Metro incidents as comparative examples. The article also mentioned a statement from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) that called for international cooperation in tackling organized crime that crosses borders.

Within Peru, the El Comercio and Perú Today ran in‑depth coverage, interviewing families of passengers, bus drivers, and members of the transit union. They also reported on a proposed bill that would impose stricter penalties for extortion and sabotage of public utilities.

What Comes Next?

As of the time of writing, the investigation is ongoing. The Fiscalía General has arrested three individuals suspected of involvement, and a fourth is under surveillance. The city’s transport authority has announced plans to launch a public awareness campaign aimed at encouraging passengers and drivers to report suspicious activity immediately. Meanwhile, the police have increased patrols on the 12‑B route and installed additional CCTV cameras along the bus lines.

The incident underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms in public transport security. While the immediate threat appears to be contained, the underlying issues that allowed the extortionists to act with impunity remain. City officials, transport workers, and the wider community will be watching closely as the legal process unfolds and as new policies take shape.

In a city that thrives on its bustling markets, vibrant culture, and resilient spirit, the flames that burned on December 1 have left an indelible mark. They serve as a stark reminder that the safety of commuters—and the integrity of public institutions—must remain a top priority for Lima’s leaders.