Peru declares state of emergency in prisons over gangs operating outside

Peru has declared a 60-day state of emergency in five high-security prisons, giving the police and military control of the facilities as the government moves against gangs operating from inside them.

The measure was ordered by President Keiko Fujimori’s government, which took office at the end of July. Police and soldiers will be authorized to monitor and secure the airspace above the prisons, as well as mobile phone and internet communications inside and around them.

The government said the five prisons hold about half of all inmates linked to gangs. It is also asking Congress to classify the gangs as “terrorist organizations,” a proposal opposed by the opposition.

The emergency action follows a violent incident last week in which armed attackers disguised as police officers killed four people and kidnapped a mining businessman, according to police. Official figures show Peru’s homicide rate rose from 10.1 per 100,000 people in 2024 to 10.7 last year.