The announcement comes as undocumented people are fleeing neighboring Chile out of fear of immigration crackdowns.
Jerry’s statement on Friday comes just two weeks before Chile’s presidential by-election.
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Leading far-right candidate José Antonio Caste faces leftist Janet Jara on December 14 and has promised to detain and expel undocumented migrants living in Chile if he wins.
Campaign pledges have led to an increase in the number of immigrants into Peru, mostly Venezuelans who sought opportunity in Chile amid a long-running domestic economic crisis.
Jerry himself is a far-right leader. A former head of Peru’s Congress, he replaced his impeached predecessor, Dina Boluerte, in October.
He confirmed media speculation of a state of emergency in a brief post on the social media platform X.
“We are going to declare a state of emergency on the border with Chile to establish peace before the risks of migrants entering without permission,” Jerry wrote.
He further said that the flooding could “threaten the public safety” of Peru’s population of about 34 million.
Peruvian police General Arturo Valverde told local television station Canal N that at least 100 people were at the border on Friday trying to enter Peru.
For days, Peruvian media have been broadcasting photos of families seeking to cross the border from Chile.
It came after candidate Cast filmed a campaign video at the border warning undocumented people to leave ahead of the country’s December 14 elections.
The current leftist President of Chile, Gabriel Boric, is limited by law to one four-year term at a time, although non-consecutive re-election bids are allowed.
The new President will be sworn in on March 11, 2026. The cast is considered the frontrunner in the December poll.
“You have 111 days to voluntarily leave Chile,” Cast said in his campaign video, referring to the inauguration.
“If not, we will stop you, we will detain you, we will expel you. You will leave with only the clothes on your back.”
Earlier this week, Peruvian President Jerry also visited the border and announced he would increase troops in the area.
There are approximately 330,000 undocumented people estimated to live in Chile. It was not immediately clear how many people had come to Peru in recent days.
Chile’s Security Minister Luis Cordero criticized Caste’s campaign tactics, telling reporters that “rhetoric sometimes has consequences”.
“People cannot be used as a means to create controversy in elections,” he said.
“Our main objective is to prevent a humanitarian crisis.”
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