Echoing the state of emergency declared in Ecuador on 8 January 2024, Peru has now announced a state of emergency in place along the northern border with its neighbour.
Close to 1,000 people have been arrested in Ecuador since Tuesday 9 January, as the government faces off against organised crime in the South American country only recently considered a relative beacon of peace between narco states like Colombia to the north and Peru to the south and east. Those two countries are the world’s top two cocaine producers.
Background
Home to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador saw rapid development and progress in health, education and housing following the discovery of oil in the sixties. But more recently, the nation has become unstable as its ports became key export zones for cocaine gangs.
Its youngest ever President, Daniel Noboa, was elected in autumn 2023 following the dissolution of parliament due to the impeachment of the former leader. Another Presidential candidate, Fernando Villavicencio, a former journalist and anti-corruption activist, was assassinated during the campaign.
State of emergency
Violence has since escalated, with explosions, kidnappings, and prison escapes – including that of notorious gang leader Adolfo “Fito” Macías from a prison in Guayaquil. In response, Noboa declared a state of emergency and internal armed conflict, and ordered the military to wipe out the gangs behind the violence, with 22 of them designated terrorist organisations.
Peru, as well as declaring a mutual state of emergency, will assist Noboa’s efforts through the deployment of police and military. The aim is “to provide support to those already stationed at the Ecuadorian border, ensuring more intense control over the regular entry and exit of Peruvians and foreign nationals”, according to the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCO).
Travel advice
The FCO has also updated its travel guidance for the region. Tourists had previously been advised to stay inside their hotels. Now non-essential travel to coastal areas of Ecuador (Esmeraldas, Manabí, Santa Elena, Guayas, El Oro, Los Ríos and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas) is to be avoided.
As for Peru, the FCO notes that authorities are undertaking “preventive measures to avoid the infiltration of subversive groups” into the country. Advising travellers to avoid crowds and stay alert, the FCO notes that while there are “no restrictions in place for anyone flying into Ecuador”, crossing the land border between the two countries will entail “an increased security presence” and various checkpoints.
In addition, “If you wish to enter Ecuador via a land border from Peru, you must present a criminal record certificate from the country where you lived for the last five years,” the FCO has pointed out.
