Colombia’s new leftist President Gustavo Petro has already launched a spectacular charge against Peru. He argues that Peru has annexed Santa Rosa Island, a contested territory in the Amazon River that has caused disputes for almost one hundred years. To help the impoverished island, Peru recently made Santa Rosa a federal district to guarantee federal money and increase tax revenue for the island. This decision greatly affects the region, an ecologically significant land, abundant in forested lands and farmland as well as the village of Santa Rosa de Yavari.
The uninhabited island, located in the disputed maritime border between Colombia and Peru, has been claimed by both countries for decades. Peru has claimed this territory, relying on largely forgotten treaties from 1922 and 1929. Over the years, Peru has been managing Santa Rosa Island, thus bringing it fully under the jurisdiction of Peru. Santa Rosa de Yavari rests on the island and is home to under 1,000 inhabitants. Tourism is a major source of income for most of the villagers, due to their proximity to the Amazon rainforest.
On his recent visit to Washington, DC earlier this month, President Petro made clear Colombia’s position on Santa Rosa Island. He claimed that the island had not even come up from the Amazon River when the treaties were ratified. He contends that it shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of Peru’s demands. Petro was unequivocal about the impacts of Peru’s recent departure from the norm. He cautioned that these territorial claims could interrupt both travel and trade to Leticia, the Colombian port city of almost 60,000 inhabitants.
“Islands have appeared north of the current deepest line, and the Peruvian government has just appropriated them by law and placed the capital of a municipality on land that, by treaty, should belong to Colombia,” – Gustavo Petro.
We are encouraged that Peru’s government is moving quickly to bring its actions in line with international law. Through these actions, they are upholding long-standing bilateral treaties about Santa Rosa Island. To that end, they continue to assert that their management of the island is legal and lawful.
“Peru is complying firmly with its obligations under international law and with valid bilateral treaties,” – Peruvian government.
As tensions continue to rise over this territorial contest, both countries will be the worse off if diplomacy collapses. President Petro warns that if Peru continues to assert claims over Santa Rosa Island, it “could make Leticia disappear as an Amazonian port, taking away its commercial life.”
