A group of families trying to cross into Peru from Chile scuffled with police on Monday as they tried to evade immigration controls.

They reached the Santa Rosa migration checkpoint in Peruvian territory, hundreds of meters from the desert border, where they have been camping for the past few days.

The migrants are mainly Venezuelans, Colombians and Haitians.

Last Friday, Peru declared an emergency on its border.

The decree restricts freedom of movement and assembly and authorizes police and the armed forces to strengthen territorial control and conduct expanded operations in the area.

The move aims to curb irregular migrant crossings and crack down on crimes tied to human smuggling, contraband and other illegal activity.

Earlier on Monday, soldiers sent to Tacna were seen patrolling the area near the checkpoint.

The government says the actions are necessary due to migration pressure and will be carried out in accordance with international standards.

The tension along the Chile–Peru border is unfolding at a moment of political uncertainty in Chile, which will hold a presidential runoff on December 14.

Far-right candidate José Antonio Kast is seen as the frontrunner.

Kast, the leader of the Republican Party, has promised a hard-line approach to irregular migration and has said he will expel all undocumented people from the country if he takes office on March 11.

AP Video shot by Martin Rincon

Production Mauricio Muñoz