Peru mobilizes hundreds of soldiers to the border with Chile before the arrival of migrants

The Peruvian government confirmed yesterday the transfer of 300 soldiers from the armed forces to the Line of Concord, the name given to the border demarcation with Chile in the southern region of Tacna, to support the work of the National Police (PNP) and reinforce surveillance in the area before the arrival of hundreds of migrants, mostly Haitians, Venezuelans, Colombians and Ecuadorians.

The border areas were declared an emergency so that the army could support the Peruvian National Police, especially in surveillanceassured the Minister of the Interior, Vicente Romero, who confirmed that the transfer of soldiers took place during the day.

In an interview with the RPP network, the official added that the authorities are not going to allow no irregular entry or attacks against police elementsand defended that the security forces and border agents work together.

Romero specified that the troops will be located in second linewith the aim of reinforcing operations and supporting the nearly 400 police officers, who will remain in charge.

Defense Minister Jorge Chávez explained to the private radio station Radio Exitosa that his troops will be in charge of enforcing safety cards and regulations between bordering countries. Our action is from 100 meters backwards from the border line, establishing patrols at critical points where the entry of foreigners without documents is verified.indicated and ruled out flat out a militarization of the border strip.

In addition, Romero announced that the authorities of Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Venezuela are considering opening a humanitarian corridor so that the hundreds of migrants who have left Chilean territory in the last two weeks can cross into their countries.

Peru prevents them from passing alleging lack of documentation, even decreed a 60-day state of emergency on its borders on Wednesday and ordered the dispatch of soldiers to reinforce surveillance and face insecurity associated with foreigners, said President Dina Boluarte.

The Venezuelan government reported yesterday that, after four years, it reopened its consulate in the Colombian city of Cúcuta, a country with which there is high border activity.