Peru's State Of Emergency 2023
On September 18, 2023 Peru announced a “State Of Emergency” that is scaring tourist even more. While the idea behind the state of emergency is actually meant to help not only tourist, but also the locals. However far worse damage is being created. Let me explain.
Dina Boluarte, the current president of Peru, declared a state of emergency as a measure to confront organized crime and delinquency.
The DECRETO SUPREMO Nº 105-2023-PCM started on September 19 begins; For a duration of sixty (60) consecutive days, an official State of Emergency is announced in specific areas. These areas include San Martín de Porres and San Juan de Lurigancho in Lima, and Sullana, Bellavista, Marcavelica, Salitral, Querecotillo, Ignacio Escudero, and Miguel Checa in Piura. During this time, the National Police of Peru, along with assistance from the Armed Forces, will oversee and maintain internal order. The police will identify the areas where this joint support is needed.
The areas have now expanded as of Oct 12, 2023 to include Lince and Lima Center. This is also clearly stated the actual increased nned for police or miliatry is from 12am to 4am.
Terrorism In Peru
Ok This makes me incredibly angry as a Expatriate living in Peru. Words oftentimes have a very profound affect on people and their thinking. Back in the US we purposefully look for words to prevent using words like terroist or terrorism. But we’re willing to call everything that happens in other countries terrorism. The news is looking for ratings and they get it when they use words like that. Here’s why.
When a person born in the USA hears the word “terrorist,” one of the first thoughts that may come to mind is the tragic events of September 11, 2001, often referred to as 9/11. This date marked a series of coordinated terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, primarily targeting the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The attacks resulted in a significant loss of life and had a profound impact on the nation’s sense of security, leading to substantial changes in U.S. domestic and foreign policies, including the War on Terror. As a result, for many people, especially those who lived through that period, “terrorist” is closely associated with those events and the broader fight against global terrorism.
Carfeully Crafted
A very unfortunate thing is that education in Peru is poor at best. Understanding of “the big picture” or how the world is becoming more and more connected is beyond most peoples imagination here. And just like a newspaper in the US is intentionally written at a 10th grade reading level, Peru uses words the overall populaton can understand, even if the word doesn’t discribe the reality 100% accurately.
Other countries such as the USA jump on the word for ratings. They know what is going on in Peru is 100% the exact same as what’s going on in their own Country.
They know the “terrorist” here are no more than “insurrectionist” unhappy with the results of a corrupt political system. But shout from the tree tops the words Terrorism or Terrorist for their ratings grab.
US Crime Rate 2021
Serious Assault: 280.05
Sexual Violence: Rape 41.77
Kidnapping: 16.81
Peru Crime Rate 2021
Serious Assault: 7.96
Sexual Violence: Rape 34.59
Kidnapping: 3.18
Source: https://dataunodc.un.org/dp-crime-violent-offences
Safety In Peru
Now let me share my story and a bit more information on whether Peru is safe or not.
I moved to Peru (Lima) in 2015 and have not once regretted moving here. I’ve learned that overall Peruvians area bit, shall I say paranoid. We actuall have a saying here, “The worst enemy of a Peruvian, is another Peruvian”. Talk about paranoia!
Anyways, I know that’s pretty “generalizing” of the population. I married a Peruvian 21 years ago, lived in Lima for 8 years now and am now a citizen here. I know the culture and beliefs here. I’m not a tourist who visted once 10 years ago for a week, then wrote a blog post on how wonderful Peru was.
Let me share this website with you. Its in Spanish but I’m trying to prove a point here. Go ahead open it. One of the first things you’ll see is the word “posibilidad” or possibility in English.
They base their fears on a “possibility” and not on reality here.
Is Peru Safe?
Overall I would say YES! Do we have political uprising? Yes. Does every other Country in the world also have Political uprising. A large portion, YES. Are tourist locations and destinations part of the State of Emergency? No. Can US Embassy employess go to tourist locations without restrictions? YES.
I’m not going to say your belongings are safe, I wouldn’t say that they would be safe in NYC either. Take basic precautions and you’ll be fine as a tourist in Peru.
