Peru Min: Defense sector's commitment is to pacifying VRAEM, eradicating illegal mining

11:38 | Lima, Sep. 16.

Peruvian Defense Minister Jorge Moscoso on Monday affirmed that achieving the pacification of Valley of Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), as well as eradicating illegal mining in rainforest Madre de Dios region are the Defense Ministry's commitments to the country by its Independence Bicentennial.

According to the official, this effort responds to a work strategy of the Armed Forces, National Police, and Public Ministry.

"After the pacification, we must support other sectors so the State can have a sustainable presence in order to create development conditions in that area," he told El Peruano official gazette.

VRAEM had been considered a danger zone due to the presence of drug-traffickers and terrorists. To counter this, the government has engaged in conflict with insurgents and implemented a social inclusion policy to benefit residents.

Drug-trafficking flights

Concerning the anti-drug fight in VRAEM, Moscoso explained drug-trafficking flights have been reduced by 90%.

Likewise, the minister mentioned this effort will be complemented with the purchase of two radars that will be ready to operate in 2020.

Illegal mining

Furthermore, he addressed the progress made on the combat against illegal mining in Madre de Dios region, where crimes such as money laundering, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation, converge as well.

In this sense, the official informed the next steps —aimed at eradicating illegal mining— consist of "working on the rehabilitation of this space with the Agriculture and Environment Ministries, and assess how we will rehabilitate the land."

2020 Budget

Lastly, the Defense Ministry head indicated the budget for his sector in 2020 is around S/7.8 billion (US$2.35 billion).

"It is a figure slightly higher than this year's," he added.

(END) DOP/CCH/DTK/MVB

Published: 9/16/2019

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Peru Min: Defense sector's commitment is to pacifying VRAEM, eradicating illegal mining

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