The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has published its first Country of Origin Information (COI) report on Peru, providing an overview of the relevant key issues for international protection claims from the country. 

Peru has been experiencing successive political crises, culminating recently in the December 2022 removal of President Pedro Castillo and his replacement by interim President Dina Boluarte. Protests against Castillo took place in early 2022 against the administration’s economic policies in the context of rising inflation and an increased cost of living. However, after Castillo’s ousting, large-scale protests erupted nationwide. Clashes between security forces and protesters have injured over a thousand people and killed more than sixty.

Human Rights-focused organisations have reported on the use of excessive force by security forces, with investigations rarely leading to punishment. The country is characterised by a lack of trust in the government, problems of corruption, and repeated political turmoil.

Several criminal organisations operate in Peru with drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, human trafficking for sexual exploitation and contract killings, being the most common crimes. Security forces remain hampered by resource challenges. Indigenous leaders, environmental activists, and human rights defenders have all been targeted by criminals linked to drug trafficking and illegal resource extraction. In addition, journalists have also been frequently attacked. Finally, the national economic situation in Peru remains a key challenge, as the government struggles to regain political stability.

International Protection situation for Peruvian nationals

In relation to Peruvian claims for international protection in the EU+, between January and June 2023, Peruvians lodged 12 000 applications in the EU+ making them the twelfth largest group of applicants for international protection. The level of Peruvian applications doubled compared to the first half of 2022. Indeed, during this period, Peruvian applications increased from 1 400 in January to 2,300 applications in June, which forms part of a longer-term trend of increased applications going back five years, only interrupted by COVID-19. During the first half of 2023, the majority of applications were lodged in Spain (65%).

The EU+ recognition rate for international protection was around 4 % during the first half of 2023, and 5 % in 2022. At the end of June 2023, there were 20 000 Peruvian cases awaiting first instance decisions, which represents a significant 170 % increase compared to the end of June 2022.