Peru to impose state of emergency, block Chile border crossings
Peruvian President José Jeri announced on social media that he will declare a state of emergency on the border with Chile, raising concerns of a potential humanitarian crisis.
Jeri’s statement on Friday comes just more than two weeks before a presidential run-off takes place in Chile, News.Az reports citing foreign media.
Leading far-right candidate Jose Antonio Kast is facing leftist Jeannette Jara on December 14, and he has pledged to detain and expel migrants who are in Chile without documentation if he wins.
The campaign pledges have led to a surge in crossings into Peru, mostly by Venezuelans who long sought opportunity in Chile amid economic woes at home.
Jeri is himself a far-right leader. Formerly the head of Peru’s Congress, he succeeded his impeached predecessor, Dina Boluarte, in October.
He confirmed media speculation of the state of emergency in a brief post on the social media platform X.
“We ARE going to declare a state of emergency at the border with Chile to generate tranquility before the risk of migrants entering without authorisation,” Jeri wrote.
He further added that the influx could “threaten the public safety” of Peru’s population of about 34 million.
At least 100 people were at the border seeking to enter Peru on Friday, Peruvian police General Arturo Valverde told local television station Canal N.
Peruvian media have for days broadcast images of families seeking to cross the border from Chile.
This came shortly after candidate Kast filmed a campaign video at the border, warning undocumented people to leave before the country’s December 14 election.
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