Peru Country Report

Political instability is a major issue in Peru. A number of corruption scandals continue to shake the public's faith in government, and tensions between the legislature and the presidency have also undermined the government’s capacity to pursue its reforms. Furthermore, intermittent accusations of abuse of authority and electoral irregularities underscore prevailing flaws in the democratic system.

Crime is a major concern, while civil and labor unrest can cause significant disruptions and devolve into violence. In remote areas, remnants of the Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) sporadically launch ambushes of security forces, kill civilians, and resort to criminal activities as part of their ongoing insurgency. The levels of corruption and weak observance of rule of law are expected to affect business operations.

The country is prone to powerful earthquakes and tsunamis, notably in coastal areas, and a lack of a comprehensive emergency management system raises the risk of devastation. Episodes of torrential rain and thunderstorms occur with high regularity during the monsoon season. High-quality healthcare is available, although hospitals and clinics with modern facilities are mainly located in urban centers.

The main threat that foreigners face generally stems from petty and opportunistic crime, notably in urban centers. However, it is worth noting that the country’s overall crime rates are high, and travelers can also fall victim to violent crime. There is also a conflict in the remote VRAEM region where the Maoist Shining Path group launches armed attacks on security forces and, occasionally, civilians. In addition, protests - including anti-mining demonstrations - have the potential to devolve into clashes.

There are no major safety concerns over air travel, though there are safety risks with flights originating from Nazca’s Maria Reiche Neuman Airport (NZC).

There are concerns over overland travel due to poor road conditions and reckless local driving habits.

The ports are considered relatively efficient.

Mobile communications coverage and internet connections are considered stable and reliable in urban centers, though a considerable percentage of rural households lack stable connections.

Cybercrime is a growing threat.

The climate in Peru ranges from arid on the coast to tropical in the east, with rainfall levels varying greatly depending on the region. Heavy downpours and thunderstorms can lead to devastating floods as well as landslides. This is a more common occurrence in eastern regions, especially during the rainy season (September-May), but can be more impactful in areas that usually receive little precipitation. In addition, the northern coast and southern regions are particularly at risk of being affected by changes to climate conditions resulting from the El Nino and La Nina phenomena. The country is susceptible to powerful earthquakes and major tsunamis, notably in coastal regions.

Mosquito-borne diseases are common, notably in northern and eastern regions, although the risk of infection can be significantly reduced by following basic safety precautions. Adequate medical care and well-stocked pharmacies are present in Lima and in major cities, although access is lower in rural areas.

Peru follows a presidential, representative democratic republic system. The president serves as both the head of state and government, leading the executive branch of government. Dina Boluarte was sworn into office in December 2022 after Pedro Castillo was removed from office and arrested for announcing that he planned on illegally dissolving Congress and ruling by decree. Castillo assumed the presidency following years of volatile political dynamics. His predecessor, Francisco Sagasti, had been in the presidency for less than a year following the resignation of President Manuel Merino, who served for only five days following the impeachment of President Martin Vizcarra, himself an interim leader who took power after the resignation of President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.

An independent judiciary interprets both laws and the constitution. Elections have been regularly held and have been assessed as relatively fair and transparent, though losing candidates have sometimes refused to recognize the results of elections.