Indigenous communities in the Amazon are facing an unprecedented threat. As cocaine production expands beyond the traditional confines of the Andes Mountains into the Amazon lowlands, a new wave of violence and environmental devastation has taken hold. This dangerous trend has stretched all the way to the Peru-Brazil border, bringing with it a surge in deforestation and contamination in some of the most pristine parts of the Amazon.
Nearly 30% of the world’s cocaine is now produced in Peru. The Indigenous communities who have long been the guardians of this vital ecosystem are now on the front lines, resisting the encroachment of drug cartels that seek to seize their lands for expanding cocaine production fields.
In a recent 24-minute VICE documentary, the harsh reality of this conflict is brought to light. VICE reporters were embedded with drug traffickers to provide an inside look at the cocaine production networks that are wreaking havoc on the Amazon.
The documentary also features interviews with the Kakataibo people, one of our key Indigenous allies resisting these illegal activities. Their stories highlight the courage and resilience of Indigenous communities who are not only fighting for their land but also for the survival of the Amazon itself.
This growing crisis underscores the importance of the Amazon Underworld campaign, launched by Amazon Watch in collaboration with our Indigenous partners. This campaign aims to raise global awareness and provide direct support to Indigenous organizations that are at the forefront of this struggle.
As the Amazon faces increasing threats from illegal activities like cocaine production and illegal mining, it is more critical than ever to stand with these communities and support their efforts to protect their territories and preserve the biodiversity of the Amazon.
To learn more about this campaign and the broader context of these challenges, you can read the full report here.
