LIMA, Jan 11 (NNN-ANDINA) — .Prime Minister Alberto Otarola announced that a state of emergency will be declared along Peru’s entire northern border, given the acts of violence registered in Ecuador.
The Cabinet chief reminded citizens that there has been a state of emergency in force in northern Tumbes and Piura regions since November 2023 which will be extended to other regions.
“I remind you that a state of emergency was issued in November, which is already in force and covers both Tumbes and Piura, but we are (also) going to declare emergency in other border regions, which are Amazonas, Cajamarca, and Loreto,” he said in remarks to reporters.
Remarks were made on Tuesday evening following an extraordinary Council of Ministers session convened to address the crisis in Ecuador.
Similarly, the Cabinet chief reported that President Dina Boluarte has arranged for the immediate trip of Ministers Jorge Chavez Cresta (Defense) and Victor Torres (Interior) to Tumbes, so that they can coordinate security actions on the ground at border control posts.
Likewise, the government’s spokesman indicated that the deployment of a police contingent has been arranged to help the agents currently stationed in the border area for more intense control of the transit of people and migrants to our country.
“Tomorrow (Wednesday), the ministers themselves are going to take direct actions to protect our entire border and keep our citizens safe,” he stated.
The Cabinet chief reported that Foreign Affairs Minister Javier Gonzalez-Olaechea engaged in communication with Ecuador’s Foreign Affairs Ministry to convey solidarity and all support from the Peruvian people.
Regarding the information which indicates that weapons used by Ecuadorian criminals would have insignia of our armed forces, the Cabinet head responded that the case is under investigation.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Jorge Chavez Cresta and Victor Torres (Interior) on Wednesday held a meeting with military and police commanders of Tumbes region, in order to coordinate reinforcement of the Peru-Ecuador border area.
This event took place at the Army’s First Infantry Brigade facilities. Both Executive Branch officials arrived at the border region Wednesday morning.
Earlier Wednesday, a contingent of 50 Peruvian National Police (PNP) Special Forces Directorate (DIROES) agents was deployed to the northern area from Lima.
During the meeting in Tumbes, the Interior sector’s head reported that, in addition to police deployment by land on the border, other actions are being carried out to reinforce security.
Thus, Minister Torres announced that overflight of helicopters and drones has been planned, as a patrol activity in the area.
“The criminal gangs that have committed criminal acts in Ecuador remain there,” Torres said.
“No one is going to cross here (into Peru), because the control is going to be thorough, strict, and strong,” he pointed out.
Afterwards, at a press conference, he pointed out that last Tuesday 400 police agents were assigned this security task in the aforementioned area.
They were joined by another 50 from La Libertad region, plus another 50, who arrived from Lima Wednesday. The latter are attached to the PNP Special Forces Directorate (DIROES).
Moreover, the minister asked the Peruvian population for calm, since the Peruvian authorities “have been working intensely and jointly to guarantee security in the border area.”
Last Tuesday, Prime Minister Alberto Otarola indicated that the border districts with Ecuador will be declared in emergency so as to reinforce security on the bilateral borders.
Yesterday, various cities in the neighboring country were attacked by criminal gangs, causing a dozen deaths due to those violent acts. — NNN-ANDINA
