Peru: Fighting a corrupt business
The sell-off of farmland in the Peruvian rainforest to foreign multinationals has led to the establishment of huge palm oil and cocoa plantations as well as mass deforestation.
Profitable plant
The oil palm bears around 6000 fruits. As the demand for palm oil increases, so has its economic importance.
Palm oil plantation in Ucayali, Peru
Rainforest is being increasingly cleared to make way for huge palm oil plantations.
At the border
The indigenous “Santa Clara de Uchunya” community in Ucayali, Peru. Around 200 people live in the main village.
The president
Community leader, Carlos Hoyos, fears for the future of the villagers. The palm oil plantations have spread right to village's periphery. Indigenous community representatives fighting for the land have their lives threatened.
In danger
Indigenous villagers are not equipped to grapple with palm oil multinationals. With threats and misinformation, they are being forced to leave and sell their land for little money. Shootings of indigenous people have been traced back to the conflict over land.