Peru declares state of emergency in five high-security prisons to combat criminal gangs

Key facts

• Peru declared a 60-day state of emergency in five high-security prisons.
• Police and military forces will take control of the facilities.
• The measure aims to combat criminal organizations operating from within prisons.
• Military and police will secure the airspace and electromagnetic spectrum surrounding the prisons.
• Peru's homicide rate rose to 10.7 per 100,000 inhabitants last year.

Peru has declared a state of emergency in five high-security prisons for 60 days, empowering police and military forces to take control of the facilities. The government's decree aims to combat criminal organizations that operate from within the prisons and extend their influence outwards. This measure comes amid rising security concerns, with Peru's homicide rate increasing to 10.7 per 100,000 inhabitants last year. The affected prisons house approximately 50% of inmates linked to criminal organizations. Security forces will also be authorized to secure the airspace and electromagnetic spectrum immediately surrounding these facilities. The government has further requested legislative powers from Congress for 120 days to designate criminal organizations as 'terrorists,' though the opposition has raised objections.