Overview
- Ángel Manero said his Perumin 37 remarks were taken out of context and apologized, stressing that agriculture is the government’s top priority for water use.
- He explained the comments came during a presentation on 25 irrigation delegation projects intended to expand water access across 19 regions.
- Islay mayor Richard Ale demanded Manero’s immediate resignation and warned of possible mobilizations, citing longstanding tensions in the Valle de Tambo and the Tía María project.
- The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the Universidad Nacional del Altiplano called for his removal, with agrarian groups such as Conveagro and the Agronomy Chapter of the College of Engineers joining the demand.
- Authorities have announced no dismissal or policy change, while Peru’s legal framework prioritizes human consumption and agriculture over extractive uses, keeping the dispute active.