12:43 | Tambopata (Madre de Dios region), May. 20.
U.S. Ambassador to Peru Krishna R. Urs on Friday handed to Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra a donation —worth almost US$200,000 in equipment— destined for the National Police (PNP) to
support Mercury Operation, which is aimed at
fighting illegal mining in rainforest Madre de Dios region's La Pampa area.
The equipment donated by the
U.S. Government —through the
Lima-based U.S. Embassy's Anti-Narcotics and Law Enforcement Division— is composed of 10 tents, 20 air-conditioning systems, 8 power generators, 4 vessels, 4 GPS devices, 50 flashlights, anti-poison kit, 50 sleeping bags, and mosquito nets.
This donation is part of the assistance —amounting to around US$50 million— provided by the United States to Peru, within the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2017 to support the South American nation in the fight against criminal organizations and the environmental impacts of
illegal gold mining.
Likewise, Ambassador Urs pointed out illegal mining —mainly of gold— has resulted in the loss of over 9,000 ha of Amazon forests in the Inca nation in 2018, and has created other illegal activities —controlled by organized crime groups— such as
human trafficking, forced child labor, and chemical inputs trafficking.
"Operation Mercury
against illegal mining and related crimes in La Pampa is a clear example of the Peruvian Government's commitment to protecting the Amazon jungle from deforestation and fighting transnational organized crime," the U.S. diplomat expressed.
"In recent years, the figures of illegal gold exports have surpassed those of cocaine," he added.
(END) NDP/DTK/MVB
Publicado: 20/5/2019