After a decade of sustained economic growth, the World Bank forecasts that the Republic of Peru's GDP will fall 12% in 2020, as a result of the pandemic and strict containment measures, including one of the longest lockdowns worldwide. In spite of all measures, rates of contagion and death are high, which experts attribute to a weak healthcare system, especially in rural and harder to reach areas.
The political context has been unstable since 2018, when Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigned over graft allegations. His successor, President Martin Vizcarra was impeached in November 2020 over allegations of corruption in awarding government contracts. The Speaker of the Congress, Francisco Sagasti, took over as interim president in November 2020 following the resignation first of President Vizcarra and then his interim successor Manuel Merino, who resigned after 24 hours of intense turmoil resulting in two deaths. Following the protests, a five-day mission of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights visited the country to gather information on the effects of the latest political events on the rights of the Peruvian population.
Peru’s national policy toward the situation of Venezuela is of solidarity towards Venezuelan refugees and migrants, through regional initiatives as the Quito Process underlying the importance of coordinated policies and responses. In 2021, it is expected that the security and humanitarian situation in Venezuela will further deteriorate due to the economic and social impact of the pandemic and limited access to essential services. Venezuelan nationals will continue to leave their country of origin and face increasing risks, as well as specific protection needs. Though the pandemic will progressively be contained, its effects on the national economy will lead to many more losing their livelihoods, further impacting persons of concern. Borders will possibly be reopened but with more restrictive measures in place and the military presence in charge of monitoring entries, potentially increasing tensions between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior. In this context, the humanitarian and protection space may be hindered by overstretched national capacity and increasing xenophobia.
The Government of Peru remains committed to promoting solution-driven responses towards Venezuelans through its national asylum and migration system. However, the 2021 general elections could affect efforts to advocate for the inclusion of people of concern to UNHCR in national protection schemes. Under the regional coordination platform for the response to the situation of refugees and migrants from Venezuela (R4V), the refugee and migrant working group (GTRM) remains the inter-agency coordination response framework in Peru.
It is concerning that more border restrictions will increase irregular entries into the country, heightening people’s exposure to risks such as smuggling and trafficking. This will require increased efforts to monitor borders. As more people will lack access to regular stay and documentation, many refugees and migrants will be excluded from social protection schemes, particularly the national health system. In this context, state institutions and service providers will require capacity development activities supported by UNHCR and key stakeholders to ensure an adequate level and quality of response. There may be an increase in negative attitudes towards persons of concern in this environment.