Peru’s longest and costliest bridge remains without a destination

The longest bridge ever built in Peru stretches over the Nanay River, connecting Iquitos to the district of El Estrecho, covering a total of about 188 kilometers. However, the project is facing opposition from indigenous tribes who fear the negative impacts it may bring, such as land grabbing, deforestation, and drug trafficking. Members of indigenous communities along the route of the highway have expressed concerns about the lack of consultation and potential threats to their way of life.

The Ministry of Transport has already completed the construction of the bridge, which is a massive 2.3 kilometers in length, without proper consultation with indigenous communities. Communities like Centro Arenal and Sucusari, located near the future route of the highway, fear the loss of their land, animals, and traditional way of life. The potential contamination of water sources and increased drug use are among their biggest concerns.

Indigenous leaders and members of these communities have raised their voices against the construction of the highway, citing the lack of consultation and the negative impacts it might have. The government argues that the project aims to connect people, boost local economies, and enhance security in border areas. However, reports from environmental organizations indicate instances of land grabbing and deforestation on indigenous lands.

Those affected by the project, such as Zoila Ochoa Garay from Centro Arenal, express their frustration over the invasion of communal lands and the lack of justice in addressing their concerns. The road construction project has created tension between the government’s development goals and the protection of indigenous rights and environmental conservation in the Peruvian Amazon.