How did rising violent crime contribute to protests in Peru in 2025?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Francisco Goya, Saturn — Generation Z protests In Greek and Roman myth the old god consumes his children to preserve his power. In many countries today the young face a version of the same fate: priced out of housing, burdened by debt, and taxed to sustain the pensions and property wealth of older generations.

In 2025, a sharp rise in violent crime—characterized by an increase in killings, extortion, and attacks on public spaces—intensified public anxiety and served as a primary catalyst for widespread, youth-led protests in Peru.1

This surge in insecurity exacerbated existing public distrust in the government, which was already strained by chronic political instability and corruption. The situation reached a critical point in October 2025, when President José Jerí declared a state of emergency in Lima in response to the violence. This move occurred shortly after the impeachment of former president Dina Boluarte, whose own tenure had been marked by rising insecurity.1

While the immediate trigger for the 2025 demonstrations was public anger over this crime wave and government corruption, the movement evolved into a broader demand for genuine political renewal, higher wages, and reforms to the pension system. These protests were notably organized by members of Generation Z, who utilized digital platforms to coordinate their efforts and demand accountability from the state.1