Peru’s President, Jose Jeri, has declared a 30-day state of emergency in the capital city, Lima, and the neighbouring province of Callao in response to rising crime rates and growing public unrest.
The announcement, made in a televised address on Tuesday, follows a week of violent protests that left one person dead and more than 100 injured. Jeri stated that the emergency measure, which takes effect just after midnight, was approved by the Council of Ministers and authorises the deployment of the armed forces alongside the national police to maintain public order.
“We are moving from defence to offence in the fight against crime — a fight that will allow us to regain peace, tranquillity, and the trust of millions of Peruvians,” the president said.
Jeri, who assumed office earlier this month after the ouster of former President Dina Boluarte, has made tackling insecurity a central focus of his administration. Last week, he unveiled a new cabinet and faced his first major protest, organised by civil society groups and young activists from the so-called Generation Z, who demanded urgent measures to address the country’s worsening crime problem.
This latest emergency declaration is not the first of its kind in Peru. Former President Boluarte had imposed a similar 30-day measure in March, but analysts note that repeated emergency orders have so far done little to reduce crime or strengthen public confidence in the country’s security institutions.
The government, however, insists that this latest move marks a renewed, coordinated effort to restore order and safety in one of South America’s most troubled urban centres.
Melissa Enoch
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