Peru is a rather unattractive immigration goal for Europeans; consequently, until the early 1930s there are no immigration restrictions. In 1933, following civil war-like conditions, the right-wing candidate, General Óscar Raimundo Benavides, becomes president, serving through 1939. He appoints José de la Riva Agüero, a prominent fascist, as prime minister, suppresses political opposition and pursues an extremely pro-German foreign policy, which only ends under his successor, Manuel Prado, in 1939.

Benavides also changes Peru’s approach to immigration. No longer are European Jews recruited; instead, nationalism dominates. As of 1933, the government requires immigrants to bring a specific minimum amount of capital with them. In 1936 new restrictions are added, including a quota system and a ban on the immigration of “racial groups.” Moreover, all companies must now have at least 80 percent Peruvian employees. This new regulation – mainly aimed at curbing Asian immigration – is deemed important to Peru’s national interests.

Meanwhile, Peru’s Jewish communities have been campaigning for the admission of Jewish refugees from the Nazi regime; in 1935, they establish a society for the protection of German-speaking Jews. The founding of new Jewish organizations and congregations seems proof of a relatively unrestricted Jewish life. But xenophobia and antisemitism are a problem, especially among representatives of Peru’s business community. Shortly after the Évian Conference, the Benavides government’s Foreign Ministry instructs diplomats and consulates to stop issuing visas to people who identify themselves as Jews. According to the document, which is dated September 9, 1938, this concerns all persons “known to be of Jewish origin, whether on the basis of their name, ethnic characteristics or any verifiable information.”

Individual Jews try but fail to convince the government to welcome Jewish refugees in the framework of an agricultural colonization project. Due to the 1938 ban on immigration, very few Jews reach the country. Even before this ban, Peru has served primarily as a transit country for Jewish refugees on their way elsewhere.