Peru's interim president José Jerí announced an emergency state on the country's borders to combat crime and curb irregular migration, sparking reactions in Chile. Arica's governor Diego Paco and presidential candidate José Antonio Kast demanded President Gabriel Boric's presence in the northern zone to take urgent measures. From the officialism, Senator Tomás de Rementería criticized the calls as a politicized alarm.
On Sunday, during a visit to Tacna, Peru's interim president José Jerí declared an emergency state in the 28 provinces bordering Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile. The goal is for the Armed Forces to support border security to prevent irregular immigrant entry and combat crime.
In Chile, the announcement drew strong responses from the opposition. Arica and Parinacota's governor Diego Paco (RN) urged President Gabriel Boric to travel to the region and make on-the-ground decisions. “Chile must advance on two paths: the first is to strengthen the border and the second is to generate all possible disincentives so that people entering irregularly do not want to come to Chile or stay in the country”, Paco stated. He proposed more technology at the Chacalluta Border Complex, greater Army presence, intersectoral coordination, and eliminating social benefits like the Junji decree prioritizing children of irregular immigrants in kindergartens. He also criticized that the border crossing modernization, due by the first semester of 2024, has not yet started.
Republican presidential candidate José Antonio Kast linked Peru's measure to his campaign promise to expel irregular immigrants. “Peru took a determination and decreed an exceptional state on its border because the migratory outflow from Chile had increased”, he said. Kast demanded that Boric take charge and visit the area, urging neighboring countries to facilitate foreigners' return to their origins.
From the officialism, Senator Tomás de Rementería (PS) rejected the calls on social media: “Kast's call for Boric to go to Arica is an unnecessary and politicized alarm. Peru's decree covers ALL its borders (Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, not just Chile). Using a state matter to create panic is irresponsible. Security is not a show”.