Puno migrants influence regional politics in southern Peru

Migration from the Puno region has evolved into a significant electoral force in southern Peru. For the 2026 regional and municipal elections, approximately twenty candidates born in Puno are leading lists outside their home department, with several competing for governorships in Arequipa and Tacna.

Data indicates a substantial Puno diaspora. While 2015 figures showed over 418,000 Puno-born residents living in other regions—primarily in Arequipa, Tacna, and Lima—current estimates suggest this number now exceeds 700,000. This demographic concentration makes Puno migrants a decisive voting bloc in regions such as Arequipa, Moquegua, and Tacna.

In Arequipa, the political impact is already visible. Jenry Federico Huisa Calapuja, a native of Juliaca, secured 122,503 votes to advance to the second round of the regional government race. Political leaders have noted that the ability to connect with this migrant community provides a distinct electoral advantage.