Overview
- At PERUMIN 37’s Water Forum in Arequipa, Minister Ángel Manero said that in scarcity the state should prioritize water for mining over agriculture, adding, “agriculture can wait, but a mining project cannot.”
- Responding to the outcry, Manero told RPP his line was a theoretical, academic scenario, reiterated that human consumption comes first, and highlighted a MIDAGRI portfolio of 25 irrigation projects to store more than 8 billion cubic meters of water.
- Regional authorities and legislators, including Arequipa governor Rohel Sánchez and Congressman Alejandro Cavero, cited legal norms that prioritize people, livestock and agriculture ahead of extractive activity.
- Agrarian groups such as Conveagro and ANPE rejected the minister’s framing and called for a public correction or his resignation, arguing it threatens food security and ignores established priorities.
- Business and sector voices like ComexPerú and AGAP urged avoiding a false choice between mining and farming, pressing for efficient water management and stalled irrigation works to move forward, and no formal policy change has been announced.