Peru: Clashes with criminal group near Colombian border

Event

On Tuesday, November 27, three Peruvian soldiers were wounded in clashes with gunmen in the district of Teniente Manuel Clavero (Loreto region), near the Colombian border. Various criminal groups and cocaine producers are known to operate in this area, including former members of the Colombian FARC guerrilla group, which officially disbanded in 2017. Border patrols have been stepped up in recent months on the Putumayo River, which separates the two countries

Context

A peace deal between the FARC and the Colombian government was ratified in November 2016, officially ending an armed conflict that killed more than 220,000 people over five decades. However, hundreds of dissident ex-FARC militants who refused to demobilize remain operational in various parts of Colombia and neighboring countries, involved in drug trafficking, kidnapping, and other organized crime activities.

Advice

Individuals in the above region are advised to closely monitor the situation and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities. Due to security concerns, some foreign governments advise their nationals against travel to areas along the Colombian border, in addition to the VRAEM and Huánuco regions.