Transport strike cripples Peruvian cities as crime rates soar

LIMA (Reuters) - Schools across Lima are closed, armed forces are transporting citizens and the government asked employers to encourage remote work as public transit companies began a strike on Thursday to demand more action against rising crime and extortion.

This is the second transport strike in two weeks, and this time unions around the country have called for a 72-hour strike. Shopping centers and markets around Lima also closed their doors in support of the protests, with business owners saying they are also facing extortion from organized crime.