Peruvian President José Jarí has announced a state of emergency along the country's southern frontier, deploying additional armed forces to manage a significant surge of migrants moving north from Chile.
Political Rhetoric Sparks Migrant Exodus
The decision, formalised by the President's Cabinet on Friday 28 November 2025, comes in direct response to a growing humanitarian situation. A large number of Venezuelan migrants, who initially sought refuge in Chile, are now hastily exiting the country. This movement is largely driven by the heated presidential campaign in Chile, where anti-immigrant sentiment has become a central issue.
Ultraconservative lawyer José Antonio Kast, the favourite to win Chile's presidential runoff on 14 December, has built his campaign around fears of immigration from Venezuela and a rise in organised crime. In a stark campaign video filmed at Chile's desert border with Peru, Kast issued a direct warning to immigrants without formal status.
"You have 111 days to leave Chile voluntarily," he stated, referring to the period until a new administration succeeds the current left-wing President, Gabriel Boric. "If not, we will stop you, we will detain you, we will expel you. You will leave with only the clothes on your back."
Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds at the Border
Peruvian media was soon flooded with images of the consequences: migrant families, their belongings crammed into backpacks and bin bags, rushing northwards. The situation quickly escalated, prompting President Jarí to personally inspect border controls and dispatch security forces to the region.
Residents in northern Chilean border towns reported scenes of growing chaos. Crowds of people who had left Chile but lacked permission to enter Peru found themselves stranded in a legal limbo, exacerbating the crisis. While no precise figures are available for the number of people leaving Chile, the impact of Kast's threats is undeniable.
When questioned about how Kast's statements influenced the migrant outflow, Chilean Minister of Security Luis Cordero acknowledged that "rhetoric sometimes has consequences." He emphasised that "people cannot be used as a means to create controversy for the elections" and that the government's main purpose was to prevent a humanitarian crisis.
Regional Stability Tested
For years, Chile has been a magnet for hundreds of thousands of migrants escaping crises or seeking better opportunities, establishing itself as one of Latin America's most stable and prosperous nations. This recent reversal of movement highlights how quickly political climate can disrupt regional stability and human lives.
The state of emergency declared by Peru is a direct measure to manage the immediate security and logistical challenges on its border. However, it also underscores a broader regional issue, where the fate of vulnerable migrant populations becomes intertwined with domestic political campaigns.
