Peru declares state of emergency in capital Lima | DW News

Key Concepts

• State of Emergency: A temporary measure allowing the government to implement extraordinary powers, including deploying the military and restricting freedoms.
• Organized Crime: Criminal activities conducted by groups, often involving violence, extortion, and illegal trades.
• Corruption: Dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery.
• Impeachment: The process of removing a public official from office for misconduct.
• Gen Z: The demographic cohort succeeding Millennials, often characterized by their engagement with social and political issues.
• Intelligence-Led Policing: A policing strategy that emphasizes data analysis and intelligence gathering for crime prevention and investigation.
• Authoritarian Approach: A governing style characterized by strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom.
• Illegal Mining: Unlicensed and unregulated mining operations, often associated with environmental damage and criminal activity.
• Disapproval Rating: A measure of public opinion indicating a low level of support for a government or institution.

State of Emergency Declared in Lima

Peru's interim president, Josei, has declared a 30-day state of emergency in the capital, Lima. This measure grants the government the authority to deploy the army to patrol the streets and to restrict freedom of assembly. The declaration follows weeks of widespread and at times violent protests.

Rationale for the State of Emergency

The protests were fueled by public demands for an end to corruption and organized crime in Peru. The country has experienced a surge in killings, violent extortion, and attacks on public spaces in recent years. The interim president's predecessor, Dina Boluarte, was removed from office through an impeachment process, with lawmakers citing her failure to address the escalating crime wave.

Details and Skepticism Surrounding the State of Emergency

While the full details of the state of emergency have not yet been fully elaborated, it is understood that soldiers will patrol the streets alongside police. Additionally, conditions in prisons are expected to be tightened, as the government claims that a significant portion of extortion activities are directed from within correctional facilities. However, independent experts dispute this, suggesting that less than 1% of crimes are orchestrated from prisons.

The government has indicated that local police will determine the specific areas within Lima, a city of 10 million people, where curfews and raids will be implemented, and where the state of emergency will be most concentrated.

Despite these measures, there is considerable skepticism in Peru regarding their effectiveness. Localized states of emergency have been implemented for several years in response to rising violent crime, but they have not yielded positive results. Critics dismiss this approach as an outdated and authoritarian method of policing that lacks the necessary intelligence, prevention, and detective work required to effectively combat crime.

Government's Approach to Organized Crime and Public Perception

Protesters' Demands and Government's Effectiveness

Many of the protesters are young, identifying as Gen Z, and are demanding an end to violent organized crime in Peru. However, both the protesters and independent experts argue that the government is not effectively tackling the problem. Furthermore, some believe the government's actions are exacerbating the issue.

Congress's Role and Controversial Legislation

Josei became interim president as the speaker of Congress, representing an institution with an almost 90% disapproval rating. This low approval stems from numerous ethical scandals and, critically, the passage of laws that many believe favor organized crime.

Examples of Controversial Laws:

• Requirement for Defense Attorney Presence: Police are now required to have a defense attorney present when raiding a criminal suspect's home. This can grant suspects hours to dispose of evidence before police can enter the property.
• Restrictions on Seizing Explosives: Congress has removed police powers to seize unlicensed explosives, which are extensively used in illegal gold mining. Illegal gold mining is a massive industry in Peru, reportedly more lucrative than the cocaine trade, despite Peru being the world's second-largest producer of cocaine.

Impact of the State of Emergency on Protests

Intended Purpose vs. Perceived Purpose

While the state of emergency is officially intended to combat the crime wave, the public perceives its primary purpose as suppressing protests. The new regulations will require large public gatherings, including protests, to obtain written permits from the government.

Public Anger and Potential for Continued Unrest

Journalist Simeon Tegel notes that the anger and rejection felt by the public towards both Congress and the new government are profound and unlikely to dissipate soon. The extent to which this sentiment will continue to manifest in public protests is uncertain, partly due to the potential outlawing of such gatherings and the history of violence used by security forces against protesters in previous years, which has intimidated many citizens.

Conclusion

The situation in Peru is complex, with deep-seated political problems underlying the current unrest. While the state of emergency aims to address crime, its effectiveness in quelling protests and its potential to exacerbate public distrust remain significant concerns. The underlying political issues driving the protests are not expected to be resolved in the short term.