Peru declares 60-day state of emergency on Colombian border

Lima: Peru declared a 60-day state of emergency on its Colombian border to ensure security from the menace of drug trafficking in a region.

As per a report published in the Voice of America, Peru President Martin Vizcarra said the decision was taken due to the "security problems" created by Colombian citizens crossing the border and it is was important to "reestablish the state's presence."

The state of emergency has been declared in Peru's Amazonian province of Putumayo, which is separated from Colombia by the river of the same name.

The president informed the first patrol was carried out by the Peru police and armed forces in coordination with their Colombian counterparts.

Five helicopters and three planes were used in the first joint operation and 50 people were arrested.

"More than 50 people were arrested, most of them Colombians involved in illicit drug trafficking," he asserted.

"We're firm, we're clear, we're going to defend our sovereignty and our territory," added Vizcarra.