Peru oil spill: Years on, damage persists along Ventanilla Coast
Years after the disaster, communities and ecosystems along Ventanilla’s coast are still dealing with its consequences.
In January 2022, a major oil spill struck the coast of Ventanilla, near Lima, Peru, when around 11,900 barrels of crude oil were released into the Pacific Ocean during operations at the La Pampilla refinery. The incident is considered one of the most severe environmental disasters in the country’s recent history, contaminating kilometres of coastline and affecting marine ecosystems, wildlife, and protected natural areas.
The impact has extended far beyond the immediate spill. Coastal communities, particularly artisanal fishers, have faced lasting economic and social consequences as fishing activities were disrupted and biodiversity declined. Even years later, traces of contamination remain, raising ongoing concerns about environmental recovery, public health, and the effectiveness of accountability measures.
This story is part of Global South Voices, with footage and interviews captured by Eugenio Albrecht.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
