Peru declared a state of emergency in seven border regions on Wednesday. A way, according to President Dina Boluarte, to better control immigration. This decision by the Council of Ministers is part of a context of tension on the border between Peru and Chile, where several hundred migrants, most of them in an irregular situation, have been stranded for almost 2 weeks, prevented from entering the Peru and return to Chile.
With our correspondent in Lima, Juliette Chaignon
The border between Peru and Chile is the only one experiencing tension. With 200 police deployed last week. But the 60-day state of emergency has also been declared on the borders with Brazil, Ecuador and Bolivia.
In her speech, President Dina Boluarte blamed migrants – mostly Haitians, Venezuelans and Colombians – for causing insecurity in Peru.
A statement based on no official figures. ” Violence and crime are increasing every day. In this sense, we aspire to have a better control of the foreigners who are in our country. »
Humanitarian Corridor in Chile
The state of emergency will therefore make it possible to send soldiers to the borders. ” The national police will maintain control of internal order with the support of the armed forces. »
The government has announced other measures aimed at curbing the arrival of migrants.
A respite of 6 months has been announced to allow 100,000 foreigners to regularize their expired residence permits. Those who do not do so in time or whose application is rejected risk being expelled.
On the Chilean side, the mayor of the border town Arica calls for the creation of a humanitarian corridor to allow migrants who say they want to return to their country of origin to pass.