Cotuhé: The Forgotten Frontier in Peru

An investigation carried out by the Peruvian digital media outlet “Epicentro TV” reveals evidence of drug trafficking and illegal mining in the eastern tip of the country, in one of the border points with Colombia, 330 kilometers away from the city of Iquitos, in the Loreto region. The epicenter of these unlawful activities is the Cotuhé River, which originates in the Peruvian Amazon and flows into Colombia´s Putumayo River.

The audiovisual report “Cotuhé: The Forgotten Frontier” shows the deforestation of woodland areas, part of an extensive conservation concession in the Amazon borders. The deforested area is apparently used for coca crops in connection with gold dredging activity in the Cotuhé River. The investigation also warns of forays by Colombian criminal organizations operating in such a geographical scope.

Watch the story.

This story was produced with support from Internews' Earth Journalism Network. It was first broadcast by Epicentro TV Carta Capital on June 26, 2024.

Banner image: Cotuhe from the air / Credit: Daniel Yovera.