Peruvian President José Jerí has announced plans to declare a state of emergency as migrants block the border with Chile. Many of these undocumented foreigners are reportedly fleeing Chile due to a looming crackdown on their migration status.
“Our borders must be respected,” Jerí stated in a post on X on Friday. He mentioned that an extraordinary Cabinet meeting is being convened to declare a state of emergency, as previously discussed, in order to enhance surveillance with the Armed Forces.
The President added that immigration and police authorities will intensify identity checks aimed at ensuring public safety, amid rising political tensions spurred by fears of a broader migrant exodus linked to those leaving Chile for Peru.
According to Peruvian broadcaster Canal N, dozens of undocumented migrants had blocked the Tacna–Arica border crossing on Friday, demanding entry into Peru to continue their journeys to their home countries. They indicated that they were compelled to leave Chile due to increasingly strict immigration policies.
The protest resulted in significant traffic delays on both sides of the border. Regional Governor of Tacna, Luis Torres, reported that there were between 70 and 80 Venezuelan migrants stranded on the Chilean side of the border.
“They’ve even blocked the road — they’re not letting cars, trucks, or anything pass,” Torres said.
Chile’s leading presidential candidate, José Antonio Kast, has recently urged undocumented migrants to leave the country or face expulsion, which has prompted some to move northward. This shift has captured attention in Peru, leading Jerí to reveal plans for a state of emergency that would allow the military to assume some police duties and suspend certain civil liberties, including the right to assemble.
As Chile approaches a runoff election on December 14 between Kast and communist contender Jeannette Jara, immigration policy has become a focal issue. Outgoing President Gabriel Boric, who is associated with the left, sent troops to reinforce the northern border in 2023, particularly at the porous frontier with Bolivia, to deter clandestine entries.
Recent estimates from Chile’s migration agency indicate that approximately 337,000 undocumented migrants were in Chile as of 2023, with the majority coming from Venezuela.
Kast has committed to implementing the strictest immigration measures in the country’s history, including the criminalization of irregular entry.
“The migration crisis continues to escalate at the border with Peru, and President Boric has yet to respond,” Kast posted on X early Friday. He warned irregular migrants in Chile, stating, “You have 103 days left to leave our homeland voluntarily.”
