(MENAFN) Peru’s interim president, Jose Jeri, announced a 30-day state of emergency late Tuesday in Lima and the crucial port city of Callao, authorizing military support for police amid escalating crime and unrest.

In a concise televised message from the Government Palace, Jeri declared, “Wars are won with actions, not words,” as reported by media on Wednesday.

He added, “We are moving from defense to offense in the fight against crime—a fight that will allow us to restore peace, tranquility, and the trust of millions of Peruvians.”

The emergency decree, effective at midnight Wednesday, empowers the armed forces to assist police in maintaining public order and combating criminal elements. It also permits joint operations to suppress protests, a move some experts caution could target dissent amid ongoing demonstrations demanding Jeri’s resignation.

Crime tops national concerns
Since assuming office on October 10 following the removal of Dina Boluarte, Jeri has adopted a hardline stance on security. He has visited prisons, joined police operations, and been visible in protest zones in downtown Lima.

Data from Peru’s National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) reveals that 59% of Peruvians rank crime as the country’s most urgent problem. Extortion-related violence has already claimed at least 180 lives this year.

While the decree stops short of imposing a curfew, it bans two people from riding together on motorcycles and ramps up security protocols in prisons. “The National Police will maintain control of internal order, with support from the Armed Forces,” the decree states.

The announcement follows heightened public scrutiny after the police killing of rapper Eduardo Ruiz Saenz, an incident that has intensified tensions as Peru prepares for elections slated for April 2026.

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