MAY 04, 2024

Pipeline Threatens Peruvian Amazon

WRITTEN BY: Kathryn DeMuth Sullivan

Dark demons seep into the river and its tributaries. Oil spills from the PetroPeru Pipeline in the Peruvian Amazon have left damaged crops, massive contamination, unsafe drinking water and intoxicated fish.

The indigenous from the area have been complaining about unsafe living conditions caused by oil spills for decades, but in recent news, many have gathered in the country's capital to protest the tenth oil spill to have happened just this year and demand accountability for human rights from their government. Along with these protests, indigenous peoples also blocked the MaraƱon River, which is a main transportation route. Through these actions, the communities have been able to begin a dialogue with the government, though the groups still face many challenges ahead in the process of protecting their waters and land.