The Colombia–Peru dispute focuses on Santa Rosa de Yavarí, a 1.5 km² island situated in the Trapecio Amazónico formed by sedimentation of the Amazon River. Santa Rosa de Yavari is in an area that was ceded to Colombia by the 1922 Salomón–Lozano Treaty, but Peru exercised sovereignty over it since the formation in the 1970s based upon the thalweg. Colombia argues that the treaties do not include new formations and asserts that the island, henceforth is their island; Peru argues they have always exercised sovereignty over Spanish territory.
Tensions were once more inflamed in 2024–2025 after flag-raising incidents, the detention of Colombian contractors, and military display. President Gustavo Petro accuses Peru of annexation while Peru denies this and has removed Colombian symbols from the island. Narratives are influenced by historical grievances from the Leticia Conflict (1932–33), as nationalists in both countries reference their territorial losses in the past. Despite escalating rhetoric, the two sides are proceeding with a September summit, and analysts expect that cooperation will prevail over conflict due to shared interests in the Amazon, which include the forest, waterways, security arrangements, and trade.
