The transport company ‘El Dorado’ has suspended all operations indefinitely following two armed attacks on its buses along the Panamericana Norte in Lima’s Puente Piedra district. The incidents, which occurred within minutes of each other, resulted in one driver being wounded and have prompted the company to cite a persistent “wave of extortions” as the reason for the total service shutdown.
Details of the Attacks in Puente Piedra
The first attack occurred near the Los Sauces pedestrian bridge. A bus carrying 43 passengers from the Plaza Norte terminal to Trujillo was intercepted by two individuals on a motorcycle. The assailants fired directly into the driver’s cabin while the vehicle was moving. The driver, identified as Santos Corrales Rodríguez, sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was transported to the Hospital de Puente Piedra for emergency care. According to the bus’s copiloto, the crew waited approximately 20 minutes for assistance following the shooting.
A second attack targeted another ‘El Dorado’ bus moments later near the Fundición stop in the Zapallal sector. The driver of this unit observed three motorcycles, each with two occupants, following the bus. As the vehicles drew alongside, a passenger on one of the motorcycles fired five shots at the bus. No injuries were reported in this second incident. The National Police have since arrived at both scenes to conduct forensic investigations.
Did You Know?
The company ‘El Dorado’ reported that a total of three of its buses have been targeted by armed individuals, including an incident that occurred this past Saturday in similar circumstances.
Operational Suspension and Security Concerns
In a formal statement, ‘El Dorado’ confirmed the indefinite suspension of its fleet to ensure the safety of both personnel and passengers. The company cited a lack of security guarantees for its operations and has called upon the National Police of Peru to intervene. This decision follows a pattern of violence that has disrupted transit along the Panamericana Norte, where criminal investigations into the shootings forced the restriction of two lanes earlier in the day, causing significant traffic congestion.
Expert Insight:
The pattern of these attacks—involving multiple assailants on motorcycles and occurring in rapid succession—aligns with the police hypothesis that organized extortion mafias are targeting the transport sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of ‘El Dorado’ operations?
The company has suspended all operations indefinitely due to the ongoing wave of extortions and the lack of security guarantees for its staff and passengers.
Are there any known casualties from the attacks?
One driver, Santos Corrales Rodríguez, was injured when a bullet grazed his head during the first attack. No injuries were reported during the second incident.
Why does the police suspect extortion?
The police are investigating the attacks as acts of extortion, a hypothesis reinforced by the fact that three buses from the same company have been targeted under similar circumstances in recent days.
How will these security concerns impact the future of public transportation services in the region?
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