分类： world

In a landmark decision, the Andean Community, a South American trade bloc comprising Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia, has ruled that Peru is failing to meet its commitments to combat illegal gold mining and mercury trafficking. The ruling, issued on Monday, comes in response to complaints from Indigenous groups who allege that their Amazon rivers and food supplies are being poisoned by mercury contamination. This marks the first time the bloc has formally ruled against a member country in such a case, signaling a heightened effort to address the escalating environmental and health crisis. The Andean Community has ordered Peru to urgently reform its laws, confiscate mining equipment, and cease extensions of a registry for informal miners, which critics argue facilitates illegal activities. Peru has 20 working days to comply and report its actions, or face potential binding trade sanctions from the bloc’s Tribunal of Justice. Illegal gold mining has proliferated across the Amazon due to soaring global demand and rising gold prices, with analysts predicting gold could reach $4,000 per ounce by 2026. Mercury, used extensively in gold extraction, contaminates waterways, accumulates in fish, and poses severe health risks, particularly to children and pregnant women. The complaint was filed in June by Indigenous and rural communities from the Nanay River basin, where hair samples have revealed mercury levels far exceeding World Health Organization safety limits. Peruvian environmental lawyer César Ipenza emphasized the ruling’s significance, stating it sends a message to other countries to respect the right to a healthy environment. He warned that non-compliance could result in economic sanctions, such as tariffs on Peruvian products within the bloc. Despite occasional crackdowns, including the 2019 “Operation Mercury” and a record seizure of contraband mercury earlier this year, enforcement remains inconsistent, with corrupt networks enabling the illegal trade. The ruling also calls for stricter due diligence mechanisms to ensure gold traded internationally does not originate from environmental destruction or human rights violations.

PENÍNSULA VALDÉS, Argentina — Southern right whales, once teetering on the edge of extinction, are now flourishing in the waters off Argentina’s Patagonian coast, captivating tourists and conservationists alike. Peninsula Valdés, a globally significant marine mammal conservation site in the Chubut province, serves as a critical breeding ground for these majestic creatures, alongside elephant seals and sea lions. This year, the region has witnessed an unprecedented surge in whale sightings, with over 2,000 individuals spotted during the peak whale-watching season from August to September. The actual number is believed to be even higher, according to scientists. The Southern right whale population, which plummeted to around 600 due to rampant hunting in the last century, has now rebounded to approximately 4,700 in the Peninsula Valdés area. Tourists like Tino Ventz, a German visitor, have described the experience as unparalleled. “I’ve seen whales in Canada and California, but this was the best and probably the largest number of whales I’ve ever seen,” Ventz remarked. The whales’ acrobatic displays, particularly breaching, have left an indelible mark on observers. Some tourists prefer to watch from the shore, such as at El Doradillo Park in Puerto Madryn, where whales often linger close to the coast with their calves. Biologist Santiago Fernández, part of a long-term research project, noted that the whale population has been growing at an annual rate of 3% since 1999. However, this expansion brings new challenges, as whales increasingly encounter human-related hazards like fishing nets and boat propellers. Ongoing research, including the “Following Whales” project, aims to better understand their migration patterns and mitigate these risks.

In the tranquil village of Icacos, Trinidad, Kenrick Modie, a local fisherman, recently expressed his fears about the escalating geopolitical tensions between the United States and Venezuela. Living just 11 miles from Venezuela, Modie and his community are increasingly anxious about the potential fallout from U.S. military strikes targeting suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean. U.S. President Donald Trump has declared an ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels, alleging they are attempting to bring ‘deadly poison’ to U.S. shores. This has led to heightened military activity in the region, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordering multiple strikes on small boats accused of carrying drugs off Venezuela’s coast.

Venezuela, in response, has accused the U.S. of military aggression, prompting President Nicolás Maduro to place the country’s military and civilians on high alert. Caught in the middle is Trinidad and Tobago, a nation heavily reliant on its multimillion-dollar fishing industry, which employs thousands of fishermen. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has voiced support for U.S. actions against drug cartels, even offering access to Trinidad and Tobago for U.S. forces to defend Guyana from Venezuelan territorial claims. However, Maduro views this as a declaration of war, further straining relations.

For fishermen like Modie, the stakes are personal. They fear being mistaken for drug smugglers and killed in U.S. strikes, with no way to prove their innocence. The tension has already forced fishermen to stay in shallower waters, reducing their catch and threatening their livelihoods. The situation has drawn international concern, with Caribbean leaders at the United Nations General Assembly calling for dialogue to avoid war and describing the militarization of the region as ‘exceedingly troubling.’

As the U.S. and Venezuela continue their standoff, the fishermen of Trinidad and Tobago are left to navigate a precarious existence, praying for peace while grappling with the harsh realities of their new, fear-filled fishing routines.