Junín Earthquake: Municipalities Suspend Festivities in Mourning

Junín, Peru, is observing a period of mourning following a magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck the region on Saturday, July 18. In solidarity with the victims and their families, several municipal and provincial governments have suspended planned cultural events and national holiday parades. The tremor has claimed at least six lives, injured over 21 people, and left around 300 individuals displaced, according to Peru's National Civil Defense Institute (Indeci).

The Provincial Municipality of Huancayo announced the suspension of key events associated with the Santiago Wanka festival, including "Buscando la Voz del Santiago Wanka," "Shacatán Wanka," and "Santiaguito Wanka," as well as the "Santiago Wanka 2026" parade, originally scheduled for July 23 and 24. The municipality stated that this decision reflects a commitment to solidarity, respect, and sensitivity towards those affected by the disaster, prioritizing unity and support for displaced families.

Similar measures were taken in other districts. Organizers of the traditional Fiesta de la Morenada in Chongos Bajo also canceled their event. In San Jerónimo de Tunán, the municipality suspended the Santiago Chalaysanto 2026 contest, planned for July 26. The district of Chupaca, where the earthquake's fatalities occurred, saw its multisectoral civic committee decide to suspend the Protocolary Ceremony and Parade for Fiestas Patrias as a sign of respect for the victims and those who suffered losses of homes, businesses, and livestock.

The District Municipality of Chongos Bajo also canceled its Civic Parade for Fiestas Patrias and Patronal Festivities. The institution emphasized that in this time of pain and solidarity, the municipality's priority is to provide support to the affected families, acknowledging the difficult situation the district faces as a consequence of the recent earthquake.