Investigation Reveals Corruption in Indigenous Land Contracts in Peru, Bolivia, and Panama
A January 2024 investigation revealed a corruption scheme involving companies in Peru, Bolivia, and Panama that falsely claimed U.N. support to secure contracts for over 9.5 million hectares of Indigenous land without proper community consent. The agreements, based on vague promises, prompted several Indigenous communities, including the Matsés people in Peru, to challenge and terminate these contracts. The investigation, conducted by Pallarès, received recognition for its impact on exposing corruption in forest governance.
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A January 2024 investigation uncovered a scheme involving companies in Peru, Bolivia, and Panama falsely claiming U.N. support to secure contracts with Indigenous communities for over 9.5 million hectares (23.5 million acres) of forested land. The agreements lacked proper community consent and were based on vague promises of jobs, local development, and financial returns from carbon credits.
Following the investigation, several Indigenous communities were able to challenge these contracts. Notably, the Matsés people in Peru terminated a contract with Get Life, which had claimed rights over 500,000 hectares (1.2 million acres) of their land. The investigation by Pallarès, recognized for exposing corruption in forest governance, received an ACE award and an honorable mention at the 2025 Trace Prize for Investigative Reporting.
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