Peruvian bus drivers are increasingly becoming more vulnerable to extortion gangs in the country's capital, Lima, due to the increasing number of murders and extortion cases. The gangs demand large sums of money in return for protection from attack, and at least 75 bus drivers were murdered in 2025, primarily in Lima. Most of the candidates vying for president have promised a crackdown on crime. The surge in crime has led to a race to the right on the campaign trial, with candidates promising hardline proposals to crack down on crime and television comedian Carlos Alvarez promising to bring back the death penalty for hitmen. The situation has led bus companies like Santa Catalina transport company to increase their defenses, including a video surveillance center installed to monitor buses in real time using closed circuit TV cameras.