Peru: Indigenous people start indefinite strike against illegal mining in Loreto

Published at: 18/08/2025 12:18 PM

Since Sunday night, residents of 20 Peruvian communities in the lower Tigre River basin, in the province of Loreto (north), began an indefinite strike against illegal mining and the government's inaction against the pollution of their waters and living spaces.

In the complaint, the community points out that more than 20 dredges owned by illegal miners operate in the area and contaminate water channels with mercury.

In this regard, the president of the Federation of Communities of the Lower Tigre Basin (FECONABAT), César Moreno Culqui, denounced that “from dawn to dusk they are releasing mercury and we consume that water. That's why we started this fight until the authorities show up and expel illegal miners.”

They also demand the presence of de facto president Dina Boluarte in the government area and that she take concrete actions to stop illegal mining and, with it, prevent the damage that mercury is causing to human health, food security and ecosystems

The communities decided to block access to the Tigre River, which directly affects the supply and operation of oil lots 8 and 192, located in this basin.

In addition, they will prevent navigation until the government removes the dredges and implements other territorial control actions, Telesur explained.

Mazo News Team