THE WAR FOR WATER IN THE AMAZON: SOVEREIGNTY, HYDROPOLITICAL CONFLICTS, AND GOVERNANCE OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66104/9w055j50Keywords:
Hydropolitics; Amazon; Water sovereignty; Environmental governance; Strategic natural resources.Abstract
The growing centrality of water as a strategic resource in the 21st century has redefined power dynamics in the international system, intensifying territorial, economic, and political disputes surrounding its management and control. In this context, the Brazilian Amazon is configured as a hydropolitical space of high relevance, not only for its biodiversity but above all for the significant availability of water resources on a global scale. This article analyzes the relationship between sovereignty, hydropolitical conflicts, and the governance of natural resources in the Amazon, seeking to understand to what extent the so-called "war for water" manifests itself in the region. The methodology adopted is qualitative, of a bibliographic and documentary nature, based on references from political geography, political ecology, and environmental law. The results indicate that, despite the abundance of water, the region is marked by disputes related to the control, access, and use of water, involving the State, traditional communities, and national and international economic actors. These dynamics highlight the complexity of water governance in the Amazon and the challenges to the effective realization of sovereignty over strategic resources. It is concluded that strengthening environmental governance and water sovereignty is fundamental to mitigating conflicts and ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources.
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