“You can't build electric cars with raw materials that destroy our communities.”
November 06 2025
5 minutes
In Peru, communities defending their water, land, and environment are under severe pressure. New mining projects without consultation, repression of protests, pollution with impunity, and an authoritarian regime: Peru is under intense pressure.
Jaime Borda has been working in the environmental and human rights field for over 18 years. He currently leads Red Muqui, a network that supports communities threatened by large-scale mining. In this conversation, he discusses the devastating impact of mining, the risks for those who resist, and the dark side of the global energy transition. He also discusses the hope that remains alive as long as people continue to resist together.
What motivates you to continue doing this work?
“The situation in Perú It's particularly difficult: politically, socially, ecologically, and in terms of human rights. Working with communities motivates me: coming together with people who defend their water, their land, and their natural environment. That collective struggle gives me the strength to keep going.
“We live in a special time, characterized by major setback in the defense of human rights, environmental rights and the collective rights of indigenous peoples, and the rule of law and democracy. Not only in Peru, but throughout Latin America and the world. That's why it's more necessary than ever for us to engage. Despite everything, I believe that together we can build a more just world.
We are experiencing a brutal decline in democracy. Now is the time to engage.
What is the situation in Peru today?
"We lived for a long time under a authoritarian regime, led by the alliance between President Dina Boluarte and the Congress of the Republic. They have made many laws to serve their own interests. They have no agenda regarding human rights or the common good.
"In terms of exploitation, we see a aggressive mining expansionThere's a lot of pressure to extract more copper, gold, silver, and now lithium, nickel, and cobalt—all in the name of the energy transition of the Global North. But that transition must not come at the expense of the rights and habitats of our communities.
What are the consequences of that mining?
“We have had large-scale mining for more than 35 years, with serious consequences: pollution of rivers and river basins, environmental damage which is not resolved, and diseases by heavy metals such as lead, arsenic and mercury — which mainly affect children.”
"There are also social consequences: divisions within communities, weakened organizations, and rising living costs. Some benefit from mining, but many others end up poorer than before. Informal and illegal mining is also increasing, with its own forms of violence and pollution, further complicating the problem.
What does a just energy transition mean to you?
“It is clear that the global North needs to move away from fossil fuels — that is true. But this cannot happen at the expense of the global South. You cannot build wind turbines or electric cars with raw materials that destroy our communitiesIf they want an energy transition, they have to do it with their own resources, without the extractivism we have.”
In Peru, we haven't even begun the debate about our own energy transition. We're technologically dependent and don't have our own industry. With Red Muqui, we're trying to open that debate: connecting local struggles with the national and regional levels, and taking a critical stance toward what the global North wants to impose on us.
How does Red Muqui support communities?
“We are a network of 32 organizations spread across the country. We support communities through training, technical assistance, environmental impact assessment analysis, water quality monitoring, and so on. We also help to share the stories and voices of affected communities to make it visible at national and international level, and stimulate exchange between communities.”
“We also facilitate studies, campaigns, and consultations for organizations and communities affected by extractivism. Always with one important principle: the communities themselves are the voices of their own story. We only support and strengthen their voice.”
The energy transition in the North must not come at the expense of our communities.
Have you already been able to realize concrete changes?
“In such a hostile context, every step forward is important. We have succeeded National Platform of Victims of Toxic Metals to be established, together with families who carry lead, mercury, arsenic, or cadmium in their bodies. There is now a law that recognizes their situation and should offer assistance, but implementation is still lacking.
“We have also built a strong national network to to protect environmental defenders In the Amazon, the Andes, and along the coast. And the network of community environmental stewards is growing. These are achievements we are proud of, although much work remains to be done.
What challenges are you facing today?
“First of all: an increasingly more authoritarian regime that restricts fundamental rights and freedoms. Second, the unbridled growth of extractivism — both legal and illegal — which geweld caused in the habitats of communities. And thirdly: the total lack of attention to environmental policy.That is simply not on the agenda of those in power in Peru today.”
In addition, the work of NGOs is hampered By a new law that aims to silence us. This government will not tolerate criticism from civil society. With this law, the state also prohibits us from continuing to support victims of the serious human rights violations committed by that same regime.
What do you expect from international actors such as the European Union or Belgium?
“Our national channels of influence are being shut down. We therefore hope for clearer signals from the international community, signals that go beyond mere economic interests. The EU and other institutions must human rights, environmental rights and the rights of indigenous peoples above trade interests places. And they must monitor the behavior of mining companies in our countries much more strictly.”
And despite everything… what gives you hope?
"It resistance by the people themselves. The solidarity, the collective organization, the wisdom of our indigenous peoples who have been resisting for more than 500 years. And also the voice of young people From Peru, Latin America, and across Europe, people are speaking out for human rights and environmental justice. As long as there are people who keep fighting, keep resisting, and keep dreaming, there is hope.
Support Jaime's work with a donation
Red Muqui fights in Peru for water, land, democracy, and the right of communities to live free from poisoning and violence. As the global energy transition accelerates, the most vulnerable people in Peru are paying the highest price. Support the protection of people and nature.
