Peru declared a state of emergency

The surge of migrants reportedly accelerated after a far-right presidential candidate in Chile, José Antonio Kast, threatened mass deportations of undocumented immigrants if elected. That led many undocumented migrants — mostly Venezuelans — to leave Chile and attempt to enter Peru.

Some crossings have turned chaotic: media reports show long queues of families, including children and elderly people, waiting near border posts between Chile and Peru.

In response, Peru’s interim president, José Jerí, convened his Cabinet and issued the emergency decree.

What the decree does

The state of emergency authorizes increased deployment of the military alongside the national police to patrol the border and enforce immigration and public-order measures.

It grants authorities broad powers to prevent unauthorized border crossings and aims to “protect public order and security” as migration pressures build — especially given the potential effects if the situation worsens.

The decree is slated to cover the southern border region notably around the border city of Tacna for an initial period of 60 days, encompassing the time before and after Chile’s upcoming presidential election.

Voices on the Ground

At the border crossing point near Arica (on the Chile-Peru border), dozens of migrants including families with children were seen waiting to cross after reportedly leaving Chile in fear of imminent deportation. “We don’t know where to go,” said one mother, clutching her child’s hand and carrying only a backpack. Local authorities described the situation as “precarious.”

Meanwhile, government officials defended the decision: Peruvian interior ministers said the move was “necessary to prevent a humanitarian crisis,” and to safeguard national security amid what they described as “unpredictable mass movements.”

Humanitarian organizations though cautious urged Peru to ensure that border enforcement does not compromise migrants’ human rights, including access to shelter, food, and legal asylum procedures. Some worry that militarization could lead to abuses or leave vulnerable migrants stranded.

Context: Not the First Time

This is not the first time Peru has used emergency powers in 2025. In October, authorities declared a 30-day state of emergency in the capital region covering Lima and the port area Callao amid rising violent crime and widespread protests over insecurity. That decree empowered the military to patrol streets and suspended certain civil liberties, such as freedom of assembly.

The dual use of emergency powers once for internal security, now for border control and migration underscores a pattern: the government is increasingly relying on extraordinary legal frameworks to respond to layered crises.

What Happens Next and What’s at Stake

Over the coming weeks, military and police presence along the border is likely to increase sharply, with border checkpoints, identity checks, and stricter entry requirements. Migrants already en route may face delays, detentions, or even forced returns if they lack proper documentation.

Humanitarian concerns may mount: families may be left stranded between countries; local social services (in border towns) could be overwhelmed by inflows; and Peru may need to coordinate with international agencies if refugee-scale movements occur.

Politically, the move may fuel tensions between Peru and Chile. If a new Chilean government does enact aggressive deportation policies, deportees might flood neighboring countries putting pressure on regional solidarity and testing border-management capacity.

For Peru’s government, the emergency status may offer a short-term sense of control but it also raises questions about long-term solutions: how to manage migration humanely, ensure security without violating rights, and build institutional capacity to address root causes (poverty, migration flows, social instability).