Peru Interim President José Jerí launches Crime Crackdown and calls for a 30-day State of Emergency, as Peruvian soldiers prepare to patrol Lima amid growing violence and protests. Image credit: Current Affairs-Adda247
Speaking to state television Tuesday night, Jerí announced the emergency measure goes into effect at midnight Wednesday and will enable the government to send soldiers and restrict civil rights, including freedom of assembly and movement.
“We are shifting from defence to offence in the fight against crime,” Jerí stated. “This will enable us to restore tranquillity and restore Peruvians’ confidence.”
Violence and Protests Shake Peru
Violent crime in Peru has soared in 2025. Between January and September, authorities reported 1,690 killings, compared with 1,502 in the first nine months of last year. Extortion-related robberies, particularly against buses, have increased dramatically. At least 47 bus drivers have been killed this year, most presumed victims of extortion gangs.
Anger over the government’s failure to combat organized crime has led to widespread protests, most of which have been convened by Gen Z activists. Protests erupted in violence last Thursday when police shot and killed one protester and wounded nearly 100 others, including journalists and law enforcement officers.
Congress removed former President Dina Boluarte on October 10, charging her with allowing crime and corruption to flourish. Legislators instantly named Jerí, who was Parliament’s speaker then, acting president until July 2026.
Boluarte also declared a state of emergency in March after extortionists murdered famous cumbia singer Paul Flores, but her crackdown failed to quell violence. Jerí’s new approach promises a tougher tack.
Wars are fought with actions, not words,” Jerí told the nation. “Today, we begin to change the history of insecurity in Peru.”
Even while he was being criticized and new calls were made for his resignation, Jerí holds that he will not step down. The government has yet to issue an elaborate plan on the operations of intelligence or attacking the source of organized crime.
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