Peru has declared a 60-day state of emergency on its Colombian border in order to ensure security from the menace of drug trafficking in the region. President Martin Vizcarra on July 16 reportedly said that the measure was “because there are security problems” created by Colombian citizens crossing the border and there was a need to “reestablish the state’s presence.”
The state of emergency has been declared in Peru’s Amazonian province of Putumayo, which is separated from Colombia by the river of the same name.
“Police and armed forces used five helicopters and three planes in joint operations with their Colombian counterparts in the first patrol in the area, President Vizcarra said.
“More than 50 people were arrested, most of them Colombians involved in illicit drug trafficking,” president informed.
President further said, “We’re firm, we’re clear, we’re going to defend our sovereignty and our territory.”
