Peru has begun excavation works on its side of the border with Chile, near the Santa Rosa complex in Tacna. Regional authorities insist it is a project to organize heavy truck traffic. This comes amid Chile's border hardening measures.
In recent days, Peru has started excavation works with heavy machinery in the Santa Rosa border complex sector in Tacna, about 60 meters from the Línea de la Concordia. The planned trench measures around 200 linear meters, with about two meters in width and depth.
The Gobierno Regional de Tacna has clarified that these interventions are part of a maintenance and expansion project for a platform to control heavy trucks. The goal is to separate their inspection from bus and private car traffic, thereby speeding up passenger and tourist passage.
Peruvian authorities have insisted that the work is not for migration purposes and does not aim to replicate the barrier Chile began building in Chacalluta as part of the “Escudo Fronterizo”, started almost two weeks ago.
Tacna's governor, Luis Ramón Torres, had requested support from Peru's central government in Lima following Chile's actions. However, the Peruvian chancellor took a cautious stance, describing Chile's works as a sovereign decision that might even benefit Peru by hindering irregular crossings.