Cyanide contamination in Junín's Yuracyacu River devastates aquaculture

A massive ecological disaster has struck the Pariahuanca district in Junín, Peru, after cyanide contamination was discovered in the Yuracyacu River. On April 27, 2026, local aquaculture producers in Cabracancha reported the death of approximately 2 to 2.5 million trout, totaling roughly 120 tons of biomass.

Forensic reports from the National Police of Peru (PNP) confirmed the presence of hydrocyanic acid in both the fish tissue and water samples. Because cyanide is not naturally occurring in the basin and is widely used in gold mining, local communities and defense fronts have directed suspicions toward upstream mining concessions, specifically mentioning the Oro Negro project.

The economic impact is estimated to exceed 7.2 million soles, devastating local families. Beyond aquaculture, the contamination threatens the livelihoods of over 15,000 residents who rely on the basin for irrigation. Authorities have warned that the pollution poses an immediate risk to 90 hectares of export-grade avocado crops and coffee plantations in this recognized zone of agrobiodiversity.