Overview

• At Perumin 37 in Arequipa, Ángel Manero argued that in scarcity the state should prioritize water for mining to maximize short‑term fiscal revenue to fund future irrigation.
• He later told RPP that his statement was an academic scenario taken out of context and emphasized that it does not imply depriving agriculture of water, reiterating that household supply would come first.
• Congressman Alejandro Cavero and Arequipa governor Rohel Sánchez criticized the stance, with Sánchez invoking the law’s order that places people, animals and agriculture ahead of extractive activity.
• Business and farm groups including ComexPerú and AGAP called the announcement misguided and urged balanced management plus the unblocking of Majes Siguas II, Chavimochic and Chinecas.
• Mining executive Roque Benavides backed advancing projects with responsible water stewardship, while ANPE Perú deemed the position unacceptable and called for Manero’s resignation.