The removal of anti-personnel landmines along the border between Chile and Peru will be completed next week, said Ambassador Claudio de la Puente, Director for the Americas at Peru's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"During the week of Dec. 17, the demining team will conclude operations and the area designated by the two governments will be declared free of mines, marking the completion of work," he told Andina.
Oslo's non-government organization Norwegian People's Aid was commissioned by the governments of Peru and Chile to de-mine their common border. A team of 29 international experts from the NGO began the work in mid-October this year.
According to information provided by the Norwegian NGO, around 300 mines have been removed from the border area.
Ambassador Claudio de la Puente said the border is expected to be declared a mine-free zone on Thursday, Dec. 20, following a visit by Peruvian and Chilean government officials to the designated area.
Last February heavy rains and mudslides swept some mines in Chilean territory to Peruvian soil next to an outpost which is has a heavy traffic between the two countries.
(END) JCP/GCO/RZZ/EEP