Political situation in Peru

Old agreement and floating sediment complicate the dispute

A festering row has flared up between Peru and Colombia over who owns the small island of Santa Rosa in the Amazon River – and at its core there is a complicated and far-reaching conflict. BBC Mundo writes.

In 1922, the countries agreed on the demarcation of the Amazon River. The border was not drawn in the middle of the river, but along the deepest part, says Professor Walter Arévalo. This led to great anger and resulted in a brief war ten years later. But when the dust had settled from the conflict, the agreement was still in effect.

Complicating matters is that several new islands have emerged in the river in recent years as sediment masses have moved down the river from the Andes – islands that did not exist in 1922. Peru believes that Santa Rosa is part of the adjacent island of Chinería, which belongs to Peru, while Colombia believes that the countries should sit down and negotiate the agreement.

Santa Rosa Island causes crisis between Peru and Colombia

A dispute over the exact demarcation of the Amazon River is causing a diplomatic crisis between Peru and Colombia, reports CNN's Latin America editorial team.

The small island of Santa Rosa is at the center. The island in question is said to have been created after the allocation of islands that was made in 1929 and, according to the Colombian Foreign Ministry, a mutual discussion must therefore be held.

In early August, Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused the Peruvian side of seizing land that belongs to Colombia.

Peru considers the accusations unacceptable. The country points to various documents, maps and treaties that prove that the island is Peruvian.

“We will not give up even one centimeter of our territory,” said President Dina Boluarte during a visit to the island on Friday.