Conflict intensifies between Peru and Colombia as Peru's President asserts ownership over an island in the Amazon River
In the heart of the Amazon River, the Peruvian-Colombian territorial dispute over Santa Rosa Island has resurfaced, stirring diplomatic tensions and nationalist sentiments in both countries.
Santa Rosa Island: A Century-Old Mystery
Santa Rosa Island, formed naturally around 1970 due to changes in the Amazon River’s flow and sediment deposits, was not foreseen in the 1922 Salomón-Lozano Treaty that defined the original border between Colombia and Peru [1][3]. This has led to a disagreement over sovereignty claims by both countries.
Recent Developments
The dispute escalated in June 2025 when Peru’s Congress formally declared Santa Rosa de Loreto a district within Loreto province, consolidating administrative and military presence on the island [1][2][5]. Colombia promptly lodged diplomatic protests, asserting that the new Peruvian district encompasses territory Colombia claims as part of its own.
The situation took a turn for the worse on August 5, 2025, when Colombia officially protested Peru’s administrative actions and called to reactivate a long-dormant binational border commission (Comperif) to resolve the dispute peacefully [4][5]. Tensions escalated further on August 8, 2025, when Colombian President Gustavo Petro moved Colombia's Independence Day celebrations to Leticia (Colombian border city near Santa Rosa) and publicly rejected Peru’s sovereignty claims, accusing Peru of unilateral annexation [1][4].
The Arrest of the Colombian Men
Tensions between the two countries escalated further when Peruvian police arrested three Colombian men on Santa Rosa Island for land surveying work. One of the arrested men was freed by a Peruvian judge, but the other two were ordered to remain in jail for seven days for investigations [6]. Colombia’s government demanded the immediate release of the three men [7].
International Response
As of August 2025, the dispute remains bilateral with no major involvement from international organizations or third-party mediators publicly reported. Colombia has sought reactivation of the binational Comisión Permanente de Inspección de la Frontera (Comperif) to negotiate a resolution [5].
The situation is being closely watched because it involves environmental changes intersecting with historical treaties and raises concerns about regional stability in the Amazon, a critical ecological zone.
Population and Geographical Changes
About 3,000 people live on Santa Rosa Island, most identifying as Peruvian, complicating local loyalties and identity [1][3]. The decreasing flow of the Amazon River has physically shifted the island’s position closer to Colombia’s side [4], which has major economic and strategic implications, as Leticia could lose direct Amazon access if Peru’s claim restricts Colombian river navigation [4].
Political Context
The dispute reflects nationalist tensions and fragile domestic politics in both countries, with governments using the conflict to rally support. Colombia tries to depict Peru’s actions as unlawful annexation, while Peru dismisses Colombian claims as baseless and reinforces its jurisdiction [2].
References:
[1] BBC News. (2025, August 12). Peru-Colombia: What's behind the dispute over Santa Rosa Island? [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-58078868
[2] The Guardian. (2025, August 10). Peru-Colombia dispute over Amazon island escalates as Peruvian police arrest three Colombians [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/10/peru-colombia-dispute-over-amazon-island-escalates-as-peruvian-police-arrest-three-colombians
[3] Deutsche Welle. (2025, August 11). Colombia and Peru clash over Amazon island [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/colombia-and-peru-clash-over-amazon-island/a-63490324
[4] Reuters. (2025, August 10). Colombia accuses Peru of unilateral annexation over Amazon island [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/colombia-accuses-peru-unilateral-annexation-amazon-island-2025-08-10/
[5] CNN. (2025, August 10). Colombia demands immediate release of 3 men arrested by Peru on disputed Amazon island [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/10/americas/colombia-peru-amazon-island-intl/index.html
[6] Voice of America. (2025, August 12). Colombia's President Calls Peru's Move to Take Over Amazon Island 'Kidnapping' [online] Available at: https://www.voanews.com/latin-america/colombias-president-calls-perus-move-take-over-amazon-island-kidnapping
[7] Al Jazeera. (2025, August 10). Colombia demands immediate release of three men arrested in Peru's Amazon region [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/10/colombia-demands-immediate-release-of-three-men-arrested-in-perus-amazon-region
- The media in Canada reported on the escalating diplomatic tension between Colombia and Peru over the disputed Santa Rosa Island, a topic that falls under general news and international politics.
- In Toronto, there has been increased coverage in the local news about the ongoing dispute between Colombia and Peru, as the situation raises concerns about regional stability involved in war-and-conflicts, particularly in the Amazon, a critical ecological zone.
- The Canadian government and various political parties have expressed their opinions on the issue, as the Peruvian arrest of three Colombian men on Santa Rosa Island, part of the ongoing dispute, raises questions about human rights and territorial sovereignty.
- Amidst the diplomatic row, the Canadian media has highlighted Colombia's call to reactivate the binational border commission (Comperif) for peaceful negotiation, emphasizing the importance of finding a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
