The Road to the Land of the Mother of God: A History of the Interoceanic Highway in Peru

The Interoceanic Highway in Peru is a symbol of integration, a dream realized for an isolated region, a cause of political corruption, and a driver of ecological and cultural devastation. It connects the Andean highlands with the Amazonian lowlands in southern Peru, offering an outlet for Brazil's emerging economy. Its deeper history must be appreciated to understand why it was built and the impacts it has generated.

Format: Hardback
Length: 242 pages
Publication date: 01 May 2023
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

The Interoceanic Highway is a multifaceted project that holds different meanings for many people. It symbolizes integration efforts during a period focused on connectivity. It is a dream come true for an isolated region, representing a significant achievement. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of state institutions. Furthermore, it has been implicated in political corruption and has contributed to ecological and cultural devastation.

This highway connects the Andean highlands with the Amazonian lowlands in southern Peru, providing a vital outlet for Brazil's emerging economy. While it ultimately ended the isolation of Madre de Dios and other parts of southern Peru and the western Amazon, its existence was made possible by the political corruption exposed in the Lava Jato scandal. It also facilitated the proliferation of criminal business activities. However, to fully comprehend the reasons behind the construction of the Interoceanic Highway and the profound impacts it has generated, it is essential to delve into its deeper history.

The Road to the Land of the Mother of God delves into more than five hundred years of the history of Peru's Interoceanic Highway, shedding light on how the purposes, representations, and significance of roads evolve over time. By taking a deeper dive into infrastructure history, Stephen G. Perz and Jorge Luis Castillo Hurtado portray infrastructure as a powerful lens for understanding shifts in local livelihoods, regional development, and social conflicts.

The Interoceanic Highway has played a pivotal role in shaping the economic and social landscape of the region. It has facilitated trade and commerce, connecting remote areas with markets and opportunities. It has also brought about social and economic changes, as people have been able to access new jobs and services. However, the highway has also had negative consequences. It has led to environmental degradation, as the construction and maintenance of the road have caused soil erosion, deforestation, and pollution. It has also displaced communities, as people have been forced to relocate to make way for the highway.

Furthermore, the highway has been associated with human rights abuses and corruption. The construction of the road was often done with the use of forced labor, and many workers were not paid fair wages or provided with proper safety equipment. There have also been reports of human rights violations, such as the exploitation of indigenous communities and the displacement of people from their ancestral lands.

In conclusion, the Interoceanic Highway is a complex project that holds different meanings for many people. It symbolizes integration efforts, a dream realized for an isolated region, a symbol of the fragility of state institutions, a cause of political corruption, and a major driver of ecological and cultural devastation. Its history is a testament to the multifaceted nature of infrastructure and its profound impacts on society. By understanding the past and present of the Interoceanic Highway, we can better appreciate the challenges and opportunities it presents and work towards a more sustainable and equitable future.

Weight: 786g
Dimension: 159 x 238 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496225870