Wed Oct 22 07:22:57 UTC 2025: Summary:

Peru’s interim President Jose Jeri has declared a 30-day state of emergency in Lima in response to rising crime, including extortion and killings, and ongoing protests. The move allows the military to patrol the streets and restricts constitutional rights like freedom of assembly. The declaration follows the impeachment of Jeri’s predecessor due to her inability to tackle the crime wave, and comes after violent protests demanding Jeri’s resignation. Critics question the government’s strategy for gathering intelligence to effectively combat the escalating extortion problem.

News Article:

Peru Declares State of Emergency in Lima Amid Crime Surge, Protests

Lima, Peru – Interim President Jose Jeri has declared a 30-day state of emergency in Lima, Peru, citing a surge in extortion, homicides, and escalating protests. The decree, announced Tuesday, grants the military the authority to patrol streets and suspends constitutional rights, including the right to protest.

The move comes after weeks of unrest fueled by public frustration over rising crime and government inaction. The situation contributed to the recent impeachment of Jeri’s predecessor, Dina Boluarte, who was deemed unable to address the escalating crisis.

“Wars are won with actions, not words,” President Jeri stated in a televised address, outlining plans to shift from a defensive to an offensive approach in combating crime. However, critics point out the decree lacks concrete plans for gathering intelligence to tackle the extortion problem, which has seen a 30% increase this year.

According to Al Jazeera’s Mariana Sanchez, the state of emergency essentially nullifies the right to protest. This restriction follows a recent wave of protests demanding Jeri’s resignation, which turned violent last week resulting in one death and numerous injuries. Jeri has rejected calls to step down.

The declaration marks the latest attempt to curb crime in Peru. Boluarte previously declared a similar state of emergency in March following the murder of a famous musician, but the measure had little impact on crime rates.

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