Latin America | Peru | Activism

Peruvian Farmer Wins Monumental Battle Against U.S. Mining Giant

Acuña’s inspiring story is proof that activists’ efforts do matter, and that even the world’s largest companies will be held to account. Peruvian activists knew they were entering a David-and-Goliath battle when they decided to shut down the creation of a $5 billion open-caste gold and copper mine next to a pristine lake, but they have so far succeeded. However, much of the community’s success in this endeavor can be credited to Maxima Acuña, a farmer who owns a 60-acre plot of land on the exact site where the giant Newmont Mining Corporation desires to dig. Earlier this yea

Latin America | Peru | Corruption

Peruvian women haunted by forced sterilisation seek state apology

Source: Channel NewsAsia

Government health workers spent hours going from door to door to coax, cajole and bully women in a farming community in Peru's highlands to come with them for free medical treatment. Esperanza Huayama, then three months pregnant, was one of scores of women who clambered onto buses that morning 20 years ago for the three-hour ride to a clinic. Lying in a hospital bed, Huayama soon realised something was wrong - but it was too late. Moments later doctors administered anaesthetic and when she woke up, Huayama had been sterilised - victim of a birth control campaign targeting mostly indig

Latin America | Peru | Corruption

Peruvian Prime Minister Ana Jara Velasquez Resigns Following Espionage Scandal

Source: Latin Post

Peruvian Prime Minister Ana Jara Velasquez will resign her post after the Peruvian congress censured her over her handling of an espionage scandal. Without control of congress, the ruling coalition could not save the embattled politician. The Peruvian congress censured Prime Minister Jara on Monday following a no confidence vote, according to the BBC. As per the Peruvian constitution, she must now resign and a new prime minister must be chosen. The prime minister's troubles began earlier in March when the magazine Correo Semanal published an article in which it claimed the country's Inte