Peru’s interim president, Jose Jeri, has declared a 30-day state of emergency in the capital Lima and the nearby port city of Callao following weeks of violent anti-government protests over corruption and rising crime.
The announcement was made on Tuesday night during a televised address to the nation, where Jeri said the measure would take effect at midnight on Wednesday.
Under the decree, the government will deploy the military to patrol the streets and suspend certain constitutional rights, including freedom of assembly.
The move marks Jeri’s most significant decision since assuming office nearly two weeks ago after the impeachment of former President Dina Boluarte.
“The state of emergency approved by the council of ministers will take effect at midnight on Wednesday and will last for 30 days in metropolitan Lima and Callao,” Jeri said.
He added that the decision was necessary to restore order in a country that has been rocked by violent demonstrations and a surge in organized crime.
“Crime has increased disproportionately in recent years, causing immense pain to thousands of families and further hindering the country’s progress,” Jeri said in his national address. “But that’s over. Today, we begin to change the narrative of insecurity in Peru.”
He pledged to shift government policy “from the defensive to the offensive in the fight against crime,” promising to restore public safety and rebuild trust in state institutions.
The Daily National News reported that Lima and Callao have witnessed escalating street violence and widespread looting since early October.
Jeri said the armed forces would coordinate with the national police to secure key infrastructure, including airports, transportation hubs, and government buildings.
This is the second time this year Lima has been placed under emergency rule. Between March and July, a partial state of emergency was declared after the high-profile murder of a popular musician linked to organized crime groups.
The current crisis erupted earlier this month when lawmakers voted to impeach President Dina Boluarte over corruption allegations and her perceived failure to address the country’s growing insecurity.
Boluarte’s removal triggered outrage among her supporters and widespread protests led primarily by young Peruvians demanding systemic reforms.
Demonstrations have since spread to multiple cities, including Arequipa, Trujillo, and Cusco, drawing thousands of people into the streets.
Over the past month, more than 200 people have been injured in clashes between protesters and security forces, including police officers, demonstrators, and journalists.
The Daily National News confirmed that one protester was shot dead by police during a confrontation in Lima last weekend.
Witnesses said police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters, while human rights organizations have accused security forces of using excessive force.
The security situation has also taken a toll on Peru’s transportation industry. According to government data, at least 47 bus drivers have been killed this year in suspected extortion-related attacks.
Experts say these incidents reflect the growing power of organized crime networks that have infiltrated multiple sectors of Peruvian society.
Jeri has vowed to crack down on criminal groups and corruption within law enforcement, saying his government “will not tolerate complicity or silence.”
He also urged Peruvians to remain calm, promising that the military’s involvement would be “limited, disciplined, and fully accountable.”
Despite his assurances, many fear that the state of emergency will lead to further violence and repression. Civil rights organizations have expressed concern over the suspension of assembly rights and the use of military forces in domestic law enforcement.
Jeri, who previously served as speaker of parliament, is expected to lead the country until July 2026, when new general elections are scheduled.
Peru has faced years of political instability, cycling through seven presidents in just a decade. Analysts say this instability has eroded public trust and weakened the state’s ability to combat corruption and crime.
As the new state of emergency takes effect, Peruvians are bracing for another turbulent chapter in the country’s political history.
