Peru imposes state of emergency for Lima and Callao because of the increase in crime

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Council of Ministers of Peru approved this Wednesday the state of emergency for Metropolitan Lima and the Province of Callao for 45 days due to the increase of crimes and criminal acts in the middle of the pandemic caused by Covid-19.

As of this Thursday, the measure comes into effect, which implies the control of internal order by the National Police and its request for support to the Armed Forces in case the situation requires it.

The request for the declaration was announced on January 19 by the Minister of the Interior, Avelino Guillen, who stated that the Council of Ministers would evaluate it.

For his part, the Minister explained that agents appointed in police stations will be placed in the streets, and administrative personnel will replace them to cover all the critical points of the city.

The official added: “We will propose that personnel from the Directorate of Special Operations patrol the cones of Lima and that the Armed Forces support our work in the center of the city. We need to establish action protocols”.

According to article 137 of the Peruvian Constitution, the Executive Power may declare a state of emergency in all or part of the national territory in case of disturbance of peace or internal order, catastrophe, or in severe circumstances affecting the nation’s life.

The state of emergency may not exceed 60 days; however, if the situation that caused the measure is maintained, the Executive may request the extension of the term, which must not exceed 30 days.

In view of the economic crisis caused by Covid-19, an increase in crime has been noted in several Latin American cities. In several cases, the police response has not been sufficient.