Peru's interim president declares state of emergency in Lima and Callao: Wars are won with actions, not words'

"With a very brief address to the nation, Peru's interim president, Jose Jeri, announced on Tuesday night the start of a state of emergency for Lima and Callao one of the country's most populated areas after the capital in response to the surge in crime. The measure had been known since last week, but it still needed to be made official."

"Wars are won with actions, not words, the president declared. Unlike on other occasions, this cannot simply be an abstract, subjective declaration that doesn't serve ordinary citizens, Prime Minister Ernesto Alvarez had said the previous week. But Jeri's speech, which lasted only a few minutes, left more than one question hanging in the air. When citizens expected to hear a set of concrete measures directly from him, Dina Boluarte's successor chose instead to deliver striking phrases without further explanation."

"Crime has grown disproportionately in recent years, causing enormous pain for thousands of families and also harming the country's progress, but this is over. Today we begin to change history in the fight against insecurity in Peru, Jeri said from the Government Palace, accompanied by his ministers. He explained that the state of emergency would take effect at midnight this Wednesday and remain in force for 30 days in Metropolitan Lima and Callao: We are moving from defense to offense in the fight against crime a fight that will allow us to restore peace, tranquility, and the trust of millions of Peruvians."

A 30-day state of emergency was declared for Metropolitan Lima and Callao, effective at midnight, in response to a surge in crime. The decree authorizes the Armed Forces to act, including against protesters, and signals a shift from defensive measures toward offensive actions to restore public safety. The president delivered a brief national address emphasizing decisive action, while the prime minister had earlier stressed the need for concrete measures that serve ordinary citizens. The announcement has prompted questions about specific policies and implementation as authorities seek to project a tougher stance on insecurity.

Read at english.elpais.com