Peru declares state of emergency along Ecuadorian border

The Peruvian government has declared a state of emergency in the entire northern border region of Peru with Ecuador.

The move is in response to the 60-day state of emergency declared in Ecuador on January 8 amid internal armed conflict and military action against organised criminal gangs.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office updated its advice for Peru, saying the Peruvian government is taking “preventive measures to avoid the infiltration of subversive groups into Peru”.

As well as the Peruvian state of emergency along the border, there are also plans to deploy Peruvian national police forces and army “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”, said the FCO.

More: Tourists in Ecuador no longer advised to stay indoors

Tourists urged to stay in hotels as Ecuador state of emergency is declared

“Travellers will notice an increased security presence and should comply with any local instructions, avoid crowds and monitor the situation closely, and take this into consideration whilst planning to travel to that region or cross the various land border checkpoints.

“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.

“There are no restrictions in place for anyone flying into Ecuador: the above restrictions apply only to land borders.”

Meanwhile the FCO is now also advising against all but essential travel to coastal region provinces of Ecuador.

These are Esmeraldas, Manabí, Santa Elena, Guayas, El Oro, Los Ríos and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas.

“This does not apply to transit within Guayaquil Airport in Guayas province, including onward or return travel to the Galapagos Islands,” added the advisory notice.

Image of Peru-Ecuador border by Libin Jose/Shutterstock