A viral video circulating on social media claiming to show a civil war in Arequipa against Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori was actually filmed during protests in Ecuador.
The post presents footage of violent clashes between demonstrators and police officers as evidence of recent mobilization in the southern Peruvian city. On Facebook, the most widely shared version of the post accumulated 10,000 views, 341 likes, and more than 190 shares before fact checkers verified its origin.
A visual examination of the security personnel appearing in the clip provided the first indication that the video was not recorded in Peru. The tactical gear and uniforms worn by the officers in the video do not match those used by the National Police of Peru, but instead exhibit the specific features and markings of the National Police of Ecuador.
Reverse image search confirms origin
A reverse image search performed on individual video frames located the exact same material published across multiple online accounts in September 2025. Those earlier posts indicated that the recording captured an intervention by Ecuadorian law enforcement officers during public demonstrations held in Ecuador during that period.
A targeted keyword search subsequently confirmed the precise context and location of the original footage. Ecuadorian news outlet La Prensa published the identical video clip on September 15, 2025, reporting that it recorded police intervention during protests in Julio Andrade, a parish in the canton of Tulcan.
La Prensa reported that the violent demonstration occurred in Carchi province in response to government plans to eliminate state subsidies on diesel fuel. The confirmed location and date establish that the footage bears no connection to recent political events or demonstrations in Peru.
Background on regional tensions
Arequipa, located in the southern Andean region, is the second largest city in Peru and a major industrial and economic center. The city has a long history of political activism and civil demonstrations, making it a frequent subject of localized news coverage during periods of national political tension.
Keiko Fujimori is a prominent Peruvian political figure and leader of the conservative Popular Force party, known officially as Fuerza Popular. As the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, she has been a central figure in Peruvian politics and a frequent candidate in presidential elections.
Carchi province is situated in northern Ecuador along the border with Colombia, with its capital at Tulcan. Public protests in the region frequently center on transportation and border trade, particularly when national policy changes affect fuel costs for commercial carriers and local residents.
Fuel subsidies have historically formed a major component of government social spending across South America. Attempts to reform or remove fuel pricing supports in Ecuador have repeatedly triggered broad social movements, road blockades, and law enforcement interventions.
Verification of social media claims
Fact checking organizations regularly investigate misattributed video content circulated during political disputes. Misleading captions attached to real event footage remain one of the most common forms of online misinformation used to create false narratives about civil instability.
Verification experts confirmed that no civil war is taking place in Arequipa and that the viral video represents a mislabelled recording from a past protest in Ecuador. Digital monitoring teams continue to evaluate online video posts to identify recirculated footage and prevent the spread of false claims.
