Nueva Italia–Puerto Breu Road: An Ongoing Concern

The information has been updated as of December 2024. Traffic initiatives such as the Nueva Italia–Puerto Breu road, promoted by Ucayali authorities, pose a threat to the ecosystems and indigenous communities of the Peruvian Amazon. While these initiatives are said to promote economic development and international trade with Brazil, they lack the technical studies necessary to support their social and environmental viability. Similar projects, such as the Pucallpa-Cruzeiro do Sul road, have been halted following claims by indigenous and civil organizations regarding the lack of prior consultation and environmental impact assessments. This new project is proceeding illegally and contradicts national commitments to combat deforestation and climate change.

Topics of interest:

• Location

• Monitoring

• Fieldwork

• Transboundary Commission

Ucayali and the Yurúa, Juruá, and Alto Tamaya Borders

The illegal Nueva Italia–Puerto Breu road poses a serious threat to tropical forests, indigenous communities, and protected areas along the borders of Ucayali and Acre. Lacking legal support or prior consultation, this initiative has already led to territorial invasions and threats against environmental defenders, according to reports from the Yurúa/Juruá/Alto Tamaya Transboundary Commission. Furthermore, specialists warn that in a context of increasing deforestation and drug trafficking, the social and ecological impacts could be devastating.

The construction of an illegal road threatens the untouched ecosystem of Yurúa, one of the last pristine areas of the Amazon, home to six indigenous ethnic groups and a tribe living in voluntary isolation. Timber and drug traffickers, aided by forest tractors, are violating Peruvian laws to exploit the region's natural resources. The road would provide easier access for outsiders to protected areas such as the Alto Purús National Park and the Murunahua Indigenous Reserve, accelerating the destruction of a vital ecological corridor spanning approximately 10 million hectares. In October 2021, Mongabay published an exposé on the threats facing the Purús–Manu complex, including an article highlighting the risks posed by the road to Yurúa.

Territorial Monitoring and Vigilance

Since 2020, UAC has supported community vigilance efforts in Yurúa in collaboration with indigenous leaders. In August 2021, the vigilance committee from the Sawawo-Hito 40 community reported an invasion by illegal loggers, leading to an intervention that successfully expelled the invaders. Following this, a formal claim was filed with authorities to protect the territory.

Complaints Regarding Logger Invasions in Sawawo

In August, illegal loggers entered the Sawawo native community lands in Yurúa using clandestine roads. Concerned for their territory, community members traveled by boat to confront the loggers and halt their activities. They filed a criminal report against the timber company, accusing it of invading their lands and destroying forests, including areas designated for planting mahogany and other valuable species. While Pucallpa authorities initiated two field investigations, these were questioned due to the involvement of the company’s lawyers, raising concerns about the impartiality of the investigations.

Satellite Monitoring

Satellite monitoring shows that in the area where the Nueva Italia–Puerto Breu road was projected, new roads are being opened, and deforestation is increasing. This trend aligns with the expansion of coca cultivation and the construction of clandestine airstrips, as reported by investigative journalism and organizations monitoring drug trafficking.

Field Patrolling and Explorations

The UAC technical team collaborates with community vigilance committees during field inspections in Yurúa. Additionally, in 2024, the team conducted a flyover and a field expedition to assess the state of the Nueva Italia–Puerto Breu road.

Nueva Italia–Puerto Breu Road Flyover

The UAC team performed a flyover to evaluate the environmental impacts and risks associated with the road project. During the flight, deforestation, airstrips, and illegal roads were identified. The images captured provide clear evidence of the road’s condition and its impact on the surrounding forests.

Field Recognition

In November 2024, an inspection was conducted along a section of the road between Bolognesi and the Shatanya Pass to evaluate its progress. During the inspection, data was collected on the types of transportation, pedestrian activities, trail conditions, and the presence of machinery. This evaluation offers critical information for managing and protecting the territories and ecosystems in the area.

Transboundary Commission: Indigenous Organization for the Defense of Territory

Indigenous leaders from Peru and Brazil meet regularly to discuss issues related to the development and protection of their communities along the shared border. In 2021, UAC helped facilitate the formation of the Yurúa/Juruá/Alto Tamaya Transboundary Commission (CT), composed of indigenous communities and their organizations, such as ACONADIYSH and OPIRJ. The CT, with the support of civil society organizations, monitors the threats posed by the Nueva Italia–Puerto Breu road project. That same year, ACONADIYSH, ACCY, and AACAPPY formed an alliance to address the risks associated with the road. They visited communities in Yurúa and organized an emergency assembly to present their concerns and complaints to the government.

The Indigenous Alliance Formed

In March 2021, Upper Amazon Conservancy facilitated the creation of an alliance between three indigenous organizations from Yurúa: ACONADIYSH, ACCY, and AACAPPY. The alliance aimed to educate communities about the risks associated with the road. Over the course of two weeks, the alliance organized a trip to visit the 16 communities of the river basin to inform them, discuss concerns, and develop strategies to defend their territory. In April, the communities decided to organize an indigenous congress to present their perspectives to the authorities.

Emergency Community Assembly

On September 15th, 2021, ACONADIYSH organized the second emergency community assembly to address the threats posed by the road and to update their complaints to the government. Representatives from the river basin indigenous communities participated, along with authorities from the forest sector, the Ucayali environmental district attorney, and members of the Apiwtxa indigenous community from Brazil. During the event, information was presented regarding the road’s progress, deforestation, and the related legal issues. The indigenous representatives drafted a document outlining their complaints, demanding that any road improvements or construction be carried out with prior consultation and in compliance with environmental and indigenous protection laws.

CT Pronouncement and Complaints to the Ucayali Regional Government

Since 2021, the Transboundary Commission (CT) has organized seven meetings to evaluate the situation of indigenous communities, promoting forest conservation and sustainable development. Strategies for defending the territory against emerging threats have been a key focus of these meetings, with public declarations from the indigenous peoples of Yurúa/Juruá/Alto Tamaya. At the CT's sixth meeting, held on May 2nd, 2024, in Marechal Thaumaturgo, Brazil, concerns were raised about the government's intention to advance the Nueva Italia–Puerto Breu road project. It was emphasized that the project lacks technical studies and prior consultation, posing a direct threat to the indigenous peoples' territorial rights. This project would exacerbate illegal resource extraction and drug trafficking, undermining efforts to combat deforestation and climate change, particularly in light of Bill No. 6960/2023, which aims to declare national interest in paving the Pucallpa–Nueva Italia–Sawawo–Breu road.

Sustainable Development vs. Road Construction

Despite facing the impacts of past extractive activities, such as rubber, shiringa, and timber exploitation, the transboundary area of Yurúa, Juruá, and Alto Tamaya retains a landscape of critical importance for biodiversity conservation, the financial sustainability of indigenous communities, and cultural survival. The construction of the Nueva Italia–Puerto Breu road could have significant negative consequences, becoming an obstacle to the sustainable development model the communities have been fostering with the support of the CT, ACONADIYSH, UAC, and other allies.

Additional Information

• Transboundary Assessment

• IDL Video

• News Published in SERVINDI

• News in Collaboration with “Kaos en la Red”

• Instagram Post in Collaboration with “Hiperactiva Comunicaciones”