The open wound of Block 8: Environmental consequences and structural inequalities in the Peruvian Amazon

Abstract

This article explores the impact of more than five decades of oil exploitation in Block 8, located in the Peruvian Amazon, and its consequences on the region's indigenous communities. The studies reveal how the oil industry in the Loreto region of Peru, over 52 years of activity, has failed to implement effective measures to mitigate its environmental impacts and reduce structural inequalities. Through this analysis, the issues arising from contamination, the response of affected communities, and potential solutions —such as increasing the social fund to restore the land and reduce historical social gaps— are presented. Finally, the article reflects on the recent reactivation of oil exploitation in 2024, under a new agreement with 79 specific commitments, raising questions about the balance between economic development and the protection of the rights and well-being of indigenous peoples.