Peru Declares State of Emergency on Border with Chile as Migrant Crossings Rise

Peruvian President Jose Jeri announced a state of emergency along the border with Chile, saying the move is intended to restore calm amid a recent surge in crossings that officials fear could spark a humanitarian crisis.

Context

The announcement came just over two weeks before Chile's presidential runoff on December 14, where far-right candidate Jose Antonio Kast faces leftist Jeannette Jara. Kast has pledged that, if elected, he will detain and expel people in Chile who lack documentation. That rhetoric has been followed by an uptick in migrants — largely Venezuelans who had previously moved to Chile seeking better economic opportunities — attempting to re-cross into Peru.

What the Peruvian government says

Jeri, a former head of Peru's Congress who took office in October after the impeachment of Dina Boluarte, confirmed the planned state of emergency in a brief post on the social platform X.

"We ARE going to declare a state of emergency at the border with Chile to generate tranquility before the risk of migrants entering without authorisation," Jeri wrote, adding that the influx could "threaten the public safety" of Peru's population of roughly 34 million.

He also said additional troops would be deployed to the area to bolster border control and safety operations.

On-the-ground reports

Peruvian police General Arturo Valverde told local broadcaster Canal N that at least 100 people were at the border seeking to enter Peru on Friday. Local outlets have shown images of families attempting to cross from Chile in recent days, underscoring growing concern among authorities and aid groups about potential humanitarian needs.

Political reactions and risks

Candidate Kast filmed a campaign video at the border warning undocumented migrants to leave Chile before the December 14 election. In that video he said:

"You have 111 days to leave Chile voluntarily. If not, we will stop you, we will detain you, we will expel you. You will leave with only the clothes on your back."

Chile's current president, Gabriel Boric, is barred from consecutive re-election under Chilean law; the incoming president will be sworn in on March 11, 2026. Authorities estimate about 330,000 undocumented people live in Chile, though it was not immediately clear how many had crossed into Peru in recent days.

Chile's Minister of Security, Luis Cordero, criticized the hardline campaign tactics and warned journalists that "rhetoric sometimes has consequences," urging that migrants not be used as a political tool. Officials on both sides say their priority is to prevent a humanitarian crisis while maintaining public order.