The communities make reference to the environmental risks and the irregularities around the project. Members of the Regional Coordination of Communities Affected by Mining (CORECAMI) denounced this situation a few days ago at the Forum “In defense against mining attacks”, held in Islay.

According to the National Radio Coordination (CNR), community leaders agreed that next year will be key to stop the mining project, and they are also considering to strengthen measures.

One of the illegalities denounced by the local organizations is that the authorization granted to Southern Peru to use lands was signed only by 33 members of the community, despite the fact that the regulation in force establishes that the authorization should be signed by 2/3 of the population involved.

The opponents to the project also say that the Peruvian government has not complied with the promises made to the population of Islay, including the passing of a law to establish the “intangibility of underground and superficial waters”, according to the website of the National Coordination of Communities Affected by Mining (CONACAMI).

This organization, a leader in the struggle against mining projects in the continent, also denounced the increasing criminalization of protests by Alan Garcia’s administration.

For instance, they make reference to the decision by Huancabamba authorities to recommend 13 years in prison against leader Mario Tabra Guerrero, an opponent to the Rio Blanco mining project.

Photo: National Radio Coordination