07 Dec 2023 | 11:04 PM UTC
Peru: Government declares state of emergency amid major Dec. 7-9 protests /update 1
Peru declares state of emergency as activists stage nationwide protests Dec. 7-9.
The government of Peru declared a state of emergency on all national, regional, and departmental highways through at least Jan. 5 after activist groups announced they would hold major nationwide protests Dec. 7-9. The state of emergency also covers all areas within 500 m (1640 feet) of a highway. Under the state of emergency, some rights are suspended, including the rights to assembly, transit, and freedom from warrantless searches, and the armed forces are authorized to engage in law-enforcement activities such as policing protests. Police and military personnel are likely to deploy to all major highways, and officials said that 7,000 police officers have been deployed in Lima to monitor protests.
Despite the measures, some protest groups have said that they plan to block highways. As of late Dec. 7, protesters in Lima are concentrated in the Plaza Dos de Mayo, from which they will likely attempt to march to the Plaza San Martin and Congress building on Avenida Abancay. Activists have said demonstrations will also be held through at least Dec. 9 in Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao, Cusco, Ica, Junin, Huanuco, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Piura, Puno, San Martin, and Tumbes, where protesters will likely gather in major plazas.
The protests are likely to cause significant transport and business disruptions. Disruptions will be particularly severe if demonstrators block the Pan-American Highway. Police are likely to heavily deploy in response to the protests. Clashes are possible, especially if police and military forces attempt to forcibly disperse protesters.
Avoid all protests as a precaution. Allow for additional travel time. Heed the directives of the security forces. If violence erupts, immediately depart the area and seek shelter in a secure, nongovernmental building. Do not attempt to cross any roadblocks that materialize; wait for security forces to dismantle them instead.
Dec. 7 marks the one-year anniversary of President Dina Boularte coming to power following an abortive coup attempt led by then-president Pedro Castillo. It is also one day after former president Alberto Fujimori, who had been imprisoned on human rights and corruption charges, was freed following a controversial court order. These events come amid a major corruption scandal within the Public Ministry, and the confluence of controversial events and anniversaries is likely to motivate a variety of anti-government activists to take to the streets.
