Community Justice in Southern Peru: Characteristics, Legitimacy, and Effectiveness in the Puno-Region

Abstract

This study examines, through a documentary analysis of prior research—primarily from the repository of the Universidad Nacional del Altiplano de Puno—the characteristics, legitimacy, and effectiveness of communal justice administered by rondas campesinas in the southern Peruvian Andes, specifically in the Puno region. The text highlights that this form of justice is characterized by its peacebuilding orientation, educational nature, accessibility, and its ability to resolve conflicts in a quick, simple, and contextually grounded manner. Its legitimacy stems from a deep connection to the Andean worldview and the sense of belonging it fosters among community members, who regard the rondas as a legitimate authority grounded in social cohesion and shared norms. The system's effectiveness is reflected in the high compliance rate with agreements, driven not by external coercion but by mechanisms of social pressure, moral authority, and collective participation. Among the main contributions of the study is the identification of an alternative justice model to the state system, which not only facilitates the effective resolution of local conflicts but also strengthens social stability and community governance. Furthermore, communal justice encourages the reintegration of the offender, prevents impunity, discourages violence, and reinforces the social fabric without relying on formal resources such as prisons or police, making it a legitimate expression of legal pluralism in rural and culturally diverse contexts.