Latin America
Latin America is a vast and ecologically diverse region known for the power and beauty of its river systems – the Amazon, the world's largest river basin; the Paraguay and Paraná rivers and their associated wetland ecosystems; the Usamacinta River flowing through the Mayan rainforests; and the crystaline waters of the rivers of Patagonia. These magnificent rivers are fountains of life for an incredible diversity of plant and animal species and the source of well-being for traditional indigenous peoples and riverbank dwellers.
The rivers of
Dams have left a terrible legacy in the region, such as in Guatemala where indigenous opponents of Chixoy Dam were massacred, and at Yacyretá, where communities have been plunged into poverty while corrupt authorities embezzled hundreds of millions of dollars destined for social and environmental programs.
Through these struggles, the people of
International Rivers is campaigning with our partners throughout Latin America to stop plans for more than 60 new dams in the Brazilian Amazon region, including the Tapajós
We are working with a broad coalition of partners to keep the threatened rivers of Chilean Patagonia flowing freely.
In
- Visit our interactive Dams in Amazonia database to see planned dams for the Amazon Basin
- Las Nuevas Grandes Murallas: Una guía de la industria de las represas de China en el exterior
- The New Great Walls: A Guide to China’s Overseas Dam Industry
- Check out our newest campaign: Magdalena River