Lima, Peru – Peru has implemented a 60-day state of emergency along its border with Chile, authorizing military intervention as officials anticipate a potential increase in migrants attempting to enter teh country. The measure, enacted Friday, responds to concerns over both rising cross-border crime and the possibility of a migrant influx spurred by Chile’s recent presidential election and the potential policies of frontrunner José Antonio Kast [[1]]. The deployment focuses on the Tacna region, where migrants have already begun gathering, and follows reports of protests as individuals attempt to cross the border and return to their home countries.
Peru has declared a state of emergency along its border with Chile, deploying military personnel to bolster customs controls in anticipation of a potential surge in undocumented migrants. The move, approved by the Peruvian government on Friday, November 28, 2025, also aims to address rising concerns about cross-border crime.
The 60-day measure will be enforced in the border districts of Palca, Tacna, and La Yarada-Los Palos, all located in the southern Tacna region. Officials are preparing for a possible influx of migrants seeking to leave Chile following the potential victory of Chilean presidential candidate José Antonio Kast, who has pledged to expel undocumented immigrants. This development underscores the potential for regional instability linked to shifting immigration policies.
The Peruvian Foreign Ministry had previously indicated it was monitoring “the migratory crisis unfolding” along the southern border, noting the presence of numerous migrants attempting to cross into Peruvian territory.
Peru’s transitional President José Jerí convened the Council of Ministers to declare the state of emergency, authorizing the intervention of the Armed Forces in border control and surveillance.
According to reports from Peruvian media, dozens of migrants believed to be residing in Chile irregularly had reached the border with Peru, attempting to enter the country. Police officers reportedly prevented their entry.
The situation escalated when some of the migrants, traveling on foot, blocked a section of the Pan-American South Highway and the border crossing, creating a significant backlog of trucks and buses on both sides.
Speaking to Canal N, the migrants stated they were seeking to return to their countries of origin due to the anticipated tightening of immigration policies in Chile.
On Sunday, Jerí stated that his country’s insecurity was largely attributable to a lack of attention to border security, and announced he would request support from the Armed Forces in the border regions.
The announcement could influence future diplomatic talks between Peru and Chile regarding border security and migration management.
gs (efe, afp)
