ISTANBUL

Peru's interim president, Jose Jeri, declared a 30-day state of emergency in Lima and the port city of Callao late Tuesday, authorizing military support for police operations as the country grapples with rising crime and unrest.

“Wars are won with actions, not words,” Jeri said in a brief televised address from the Government Palace, El Pais reported on Wednesday.

“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 decree, which takes effect at midnight on Wednesday, authorizes the armed forces to assist police in maintaining order and combating criminal activity.

It also permits joint operations to suppress demonstrations—a move some analysts warn could be aimed at curbing dissent following weeks of protests demanding Jeri’s resignation.

Crime as top national concern

Since taking office on Oct. 10 after Dina Boluarte’s removal, Jeri has emphasized a tougher approach to public security, visiting prisons, participating in police operations, and appearing in protest areas in downtown Lima.

According to Peru’s National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI), 59% of citizens identify crime as the country’s most pressing problem, with extortion-related violence resulting in at least 180 deaths this year.

The decree does not include a curfew but bans two people from riding together on motorcycles and strengthens security measures in prisons. “The National Police will maintain control of internal order, with support from the Armed Forces,” it states.

Jeri’s announcement comes amid ongoing scrutiny following the police killing of rapper Eduardo Ruiz Saenz, an incident that has drawn public attention as the country prepares for elections scheduled for April 2026.