Peru declares state of emergency in five prisons over gang threat

Peru has declared a 60-day state of emergency in five high-security prisons, giving police and military forces authority to take control of the facilities amid growing public concerns over security.

The measure, announced in a government decree on Saturday, was introduced under President Keiko Fujimori, who assumed office in late July. It is aimed at disrupting criminal organisations that are allegedly coordinating activities from within the prisons and directing them from there to the outside.

The government said the five facilities covered by the emergency order hold about half of all inmates believed to have links to criminal organisations.

Under the measure, security forces will also have the authority to take action to protect the airspace and electromagnetic spectrum in the areas immediately surrounding the prisons.

Peru’s homicide rate increased to 10.7 deaths per 100,000 people last year, compared with 10.1 in 2024, according to official figures.

Security concerns have intensified following an incident the previous Sunday, when armed men posing as police officers reportedly killed four people and abducted a businessman in the mining sector in northern Peru. Police said the businessman was released several hours later after a ransom was paid.

The government has also requested temporary legislative powers from Congress for 120 days to classify criminal organisations as “terrorists.” However, opposition lawmakers have expressed reservations about the proposal.

Source: Reuters