Communities Confront State Failures as Mercury Crisis Undermines Trust

On June 27, 2025, 33 Indigenous and rural communities along the Nanay River filed a complaint with the Andean Community, accusing Peru of failing to uphold a regional anti–illegal mining pact. The complaint cites rising mercury contamination from illicit gold operations, which has tainted local food and water sources. Community leaders argue that the government’s inaction has deepened health risks and eroded trust—turning a public health emergency into a governance crisis.