Andina

Peru: Executive Branch and communities agree to lift blockade, to continue dialogue

18:14 | Cotabambas (Apurimac region), Apr. 11.

Peru's Executive Branch and Cotabambas Province's Challhuahuacho communities —based nearby Las Bambas mining project— on Thursday agreed to lift the forceful measures and institutionalize dialogue to boost development in that area of the country.

In this sense, Peruvian Episcopal Conference (CEP) President Monsignor Miguel Cabrejos read the accords that indicated the talks will continue without forceful measures. 

"That means: no state of emergency, army and police withdrawal, no road blockade," Cabrejos expressed.

Thus, a meeting will be held on April 16 in Challhuahuacho to set up a technical roundtable on the requests submitted by the Cotabambas districts' communities. 

Likewise, human rights will be addressed on the occasion. For that reason, the Public Ministry's and Judicial Branch's representatives will be summoned to participate in the audiences. 

Furthermore, Prime Minister Salvador del Solar noted the reached agreements and reaffirmed the Government's commitment to continuing with the dialogue. 

Previously, the cabinet chief announced a bill to modify the distribution of canon and royalties will be submitted to Congress, so the financial income received by the Peruvian State —from natural resources exploitation— can also reach communities, not only regional and local governments.

Meeting

As is known, Prime Minister Del Solar today assured southern Andean Cotabambas Province residents that the State will be present permanently in this area to guarantee the population's well-being and development

Within this framework, the cabinet chief admitted the State has not had a remarkable presence in this zone over recent years. 

The Prime Minister —along with the Executive Branch Commission— held a meeting with representatives of Cotabambas communities residing in the influence area of Las Bambas mining project.

Last weekend, Del Solar affirmed he would visit the province's Challhuahuacho district soon, thus complying with the accords adopted by the Executive Branch, MMG mining company, and Fuerabamba community leader Gregorio Rojas.

The project faced problems due to the Fuerabamba community members' decision to block the road used by the mining company to transport its production to Matarani Port (Ilo region).

(END) SMA/CCR/DTK/MVB


Published: 4/11/2019