The president of the Council of Ministers, Eduardo Aranaannounced that the Executive will send a protest note to Colombian government for the violation of Peruvian Air Space registered in Santa Rosa, Loreto Districtwhere a border control post operates. The decision was adopted after the explanations delivered by military and diplomatic authorities of Colombia They were qualified as “non -satisfactory” by Lima.
“The respective protest note that the Foreign Ministry will make in the course of the next minutes has been arranged immediately. Therefore, we should already take them to diplomatic channels,” he said.
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This new incident occurs in the context of the territorial dispute by the Santa Rosa Islandlocated in the Amazonas River, which intensified after the promulgation of Law No. 32403. Said Standard officialized the creation of the Santa Rosa de Loreto Districtincorporating the island and reaffirming the Peruvian sovereignty On this border area.
Colombia He maintains that the territory is part of its jurisdiction and has sent several official communications questioning the measure, which were rejected by Peru. The Colombian president, Gustavo Petrorecently accused Lima of “Copar Colombian Territory” and violating the Rio de Janeiro protocol of 1934which set the bilateral limits.
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Walter Astudillo, Minister of Defense: “Sovereignty is not under discussion”
Along the same lines, the Defense Minister Walter Astudillohe reaffirmed that the newly created Santa Rosa de Loreto District And their sovereignty are not under discussion, as they are part of the national territory. Mentioned that the visit made by the Council of Ministers To the border area was scheduled in advance to supervise a multisectoral campaign. He also supported the decision of the Council to issue a protest note to Colombia After the incursion of the military aircraft in Peruvian skies.
“The Peruvian district of Santa Rosa de Loreto It is not under discussion. Sovereignty is not under discussion either, it is Peruvian territory. Peru will issue a protest note of the Chancellery against Colombia. Wish the Government, we reaffirm that the commitment is to maintain our sovereignty, “he said.
Astudillo detailed, during the press conference, that the aircraft entered low height, approximately between 200 and 300 meters, and toured about two kilometers within the Peruvian airspace before returning to the Colombian territory. Although he ruled out that this action is an intentional provocation, he reaffirmed that he constitutes a clear violation of national sovereignty.
You can see: Border voltage between Peru and Colombia: They capture Colombian plane flying over the district of Santa Rosa
The representative of the Defense portfolio reaffirmed that the Army and Navy members will remain permanent in the area of Santa Rosaas part of the strategy to guarantee national sovereignty. He pointed out that the district, although it was recently formalized, was created more than 50 years ago and already has consolidated state infrastructure.
“The members of the Army and the Navy will remain in the area (…) Santa Rosa was created 50 years ago and has just been formalized (…) There are diverse public institutions. There is a health center, a curator. They have permanent personnel. There are also Diandro personnel, who perform anti -drug operations. We have a marine control point and we have a military unit with more than 100 men. What more samples can we give of Peru’s sovereignty? “He said.
Faced with the recent statements of Gustavo Petrothe minister said that these actions do not, but to strengthen the Peruvian thesis on sovereignty in Santa Rosa. In addition, he stressed that the Peruvian government seeks to avoid provocations, acting with seriousness and responsibility, but warned that it will respond firmly to any action that threatens the interests of the country.
Gustavo Petro discards visit to Santa Rosa Island
The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petroreported that he has no plans to move to the Peruvian district of Santa Rosalocated in Loreto, due to the delicate border situation between the two countries. In his words, going to that place could be considered an act of hostility, something that he wants to avoid so as not to climb the tension towards an armed conflict.
Petro He also announced that he plans to hold meetings with representatives of the Peruvian government in September, within the framework of the Rio de Janeiro Treaty of 1934that regulates the border between Peru and Colombia. These meetings will be the official route to seek a peaceful and respectful solution of international law in the face of territorial controversy.
Faced with the criticisms that accuse him of politicizing the dispute for electoral purposes, Petro He denied such intentions and emphasized that his position responds to the opposition to the unilateral decision of Peru to incorporate the island Santa Rosa As part of its territory, without prior consultation or bilateral agreement, which according to him affects the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
