Peruvian Death Squad Commander Captured After Years on the Run

Raúl Prado Ravines, the former commander of a Peruvian death squad, was captured on June 5, 2025, in the district of Comas, Lima, after evading authorities for years. Ravines was sentenced in absentia to 35 years in prison in 2022 for his role in extrajudicial killings. A reward of 100,000 soles had been offered for information leading to his capture. According to the video, a half-brother of one of the victims provided crucial information that led to his arrest. The death squad operated between 2012 and 2015, targeting victims through deception and killing them without witnesses. The arrest marks a significant step in bringing justice to the victims and dismantling a criminal network operating within the Peruvian National Police. This case highlights the challenges of combating impunity and the importance of internal whistleblowers in uncovering criminal activity within institutions.