In the last two weeks, Peruvians have faced, once again, the weakness of its environmental institutions and the enormous risks that are constantly present in different parts of our territory. First, the oil spill in the Marañon river in the district of Urarina in Loreto, followed by the collapse of a tailings dam in the district of Huachocolpa in Huancavelica, which is causing terrible contamination of three rivers in the area on top of economic and health impacts for the communities. 

Today, June 2nd, is the 10 year mark of the mercury spill that intoxicated thousands of villagers of Choropampa (Cajamarca). Demands for medical attention and compensation still have not yet been heard.

In memory of this tragic event, Guarango has put exceptionally the full HD version of its documentary "Choropampa, the Price of Gold" for free during one week on its YouTube page for you to view it. Watch it in Spanish or with English subtitels.

On April 27th, the Peruvian president Alan García, known for his love for mining investment, following his adagium 'el perro del hortelano' - or is there something in it for him as well? - instated a resolución suprema (supreme resolution) to dedicate, from this year onwards, the 5th of June to Peruvian Rum.

While the ‘Western’ media were dusting off their camera lenses, Evo Morales, the president of Bolivia, presented in Cochabamba the blueprints of the peoples’ answer to the failure of Copenhagen. From April 20th till April 22nd, over 35,000 people from 142 countries exchanged ideas and experiences on how to combat climate change and save our planet. This event came to a close on the International Day of Mother Earth, with traditional dances, festivities and speeches from Evo Morales, Hugo Chávez and other high dignitaries from socialist Latin America. The centre-piece of the closing event, however, was the Peoples’ Agreement, laying the foundations of a more unified reform movement, trying to save humanity and Mother Earth from destruction.