LatinNews Daily - 26 February 2026

*Peru’s government has declared a state of emergency in 14 of the country’s 24 regions due to heavy rains. The state of emergency, which enables the authorities to take urgent measures to protect lives, infrastructure, and public services, covers four provinces in the Amazonas region, seven in Áncash, six in Arequipa, eight in Cajamarca, five in Ica, one in Junín, 12 in La Libertad, three in Lambayeque, nine in Lima, two in Madre de Dios, six in Piura, seven in Puno, five in San Martín, and two in Tumbes. According to national daily La República, at least 52 people have died in the rains, which have intensified since mid-February.