The growing movement of Migrants trying to cross from Chile to Peru Setting off alarms at the border and It led the Peruvian government to declare a state of emergency on Friday In the Tacna area. It provides resolution Military deployment In support of the National Police and seeking to contain the increasing flow of people trying to leave Chile in a climate of political tension.
According to the Peruvian authorities, this action is expected as a possibility A wave of illegal aliens seeking to leave Chile Anticipating the victory of far-right candidate José Antonio Cast, the favorite in the runoff scheduled for December 14, who promised to expel illegal immigrants, Most of them are Venezuelans.
On Friday, dozens of them were stranded along the 150-kilometre border that covers the two countries Takna and Arika. A video posted by the regional governor of Arica showed entire groups trying to leave Chile via the Chacallota-Santa Rosa corridor, carrying bags and even children in their arms.
The decision came later Dozens of migrants appear to be in an irregular situation In the neighboring country, they arrived at the border point with Peru with the intention of entering the territory, but the police prevented them.
Peruvian President Jose Jiri had anticipated the decision. Hours later, the decree was approved at an extraordinary cabinet meeting.
The procedure will be valid for 60 days In the border areas of Palca, Tacna and La Yarda-Los Palos, he contemplates Restrictions on freedom of movement, assembly and inviolability of the home. The rule specifies that “the police maintain control over internal order, with the support of the armed forces.”
Interior Minister Vicente Tiburcio traveled to the region and confirmed that fifty soldiers would be deployed immediately to the Santa Rosa border post, while another 50 soldiers would join in the first days of December.
Radio Tacna broadcast images of families walking along the road, some carrying children in their arms, trying to reach the international border.
On the Chilean side, Security Minister Luis Cordero admitted that there was a “concentration of people” trying to leave the country and facing difficulties entering Peru, although he avoided specifying numbers.
The crisis also forced the activation of diplomatic channels. Peruvian Foreign Minister Hugo de Zella announced that Lima and Santiago will form a bilateral committee for cooperation in the field of migration, starting Monday, to manage the situation.
He stressed that the state of emergency would allow “an immediate increase in police and military presence,” and he was categorical: We will not allow illegal immigration, and we do not have the capacity to receive more immigrants.”
Peru has received more than 1.5 million Venezuelans since 2015 and faces strong institutional and social erosion due to migration pressures. This is not the first time it has militarized this area: in April 2023, it already declared a state of emergency due to the influx of illegal migrants, also on the border with Chile.
On this occasion, the advance of groups seeking to cross to the north led to the blockade of the Panamericana Sur area, truck and bus lines in both countries, and an increased climate of tension at the border crossings.