Canta Community Rejects Reconciliation with Businessman Over Land Seizure
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Community members in Canta have rejected a reconciliation offer from a businessman accused of fraudulent land acquisition.
- The businessman, Aniceto Argüelles Loayza, allegedly acquired 10,000 hectares of community land for 600,000 Peruvian soles, far below its estimated market value of 10 million soles.
- The community accuses Argüelles of appropriating their land to build a landfill.
Communal landowners in Canta have firmly rejected an offer of reconciliation from businessman Aniceto Argüelles Loayza, whom they accuse of fraudulently seizing 10,000 hectares of their ancestral land. The community is standing united against any attempts to appease Argüelles, who they claim illicitly acquired the vast tract of land for the construction of a sanitary landfill.
The alleged fraudulent acquisition is highlighted by the stark disparity in the land's valuation. Argüelles reportedly paid 600,000 Peruvian soles for the property, a sum the community asserts is drastically lower than its actual market value, estimated to be around 10 million Peruvian soles. This significant difference underscores the community's claims of exploitation and unfair dealings.
Community leaders and members have voiced their refusal to engage in any reconciliation talks with Argüelles, emphasizing their determination to reclaim their land and challenge the legitimacy of the transaction. Their stance reflects a deep-seated grievance and a commitment to protecting their communal assets against what they perceive as predatory business practices. The situation remains tense as the community seeks legal recourse and public support to overturn the land transfer.
Originally published by La República in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.