A Peruvian cardinal has called a $150m out-of-court settlement for more than 1,300 people allegedly poisoned as children by a toxic smelter a 'historic milestone', capping a campaign that drew death threats against him.
Key facts
- The Doe Run Company, a subsidiary of Renco Group, agreed to pay $150m (£111m).
- The settlement covers 1,373 Peruvians who suffered health impacts since childhood.
- Cardinal Pedro Barreto, 82, campaigned for almost 20 years against the smelter's operations.
- Barreto received death threats and harassment during his campaign.
- He learned of the settlement while in Rome in June meeting Pope Leo XIV and other cardinals.
A Peruvian cardinal who endured death threats during his nearly two-decade campaign against a US mining company has hailed a $150m (£111m) out-of-court settlement for more than 1,000 people allegedly poisoned as children by a toxic smelter as “a historic milestone”, according to the Guardian.
Cardinal Pedro Barreto, 82, learned of the settlement in June while he was in Rome meeting Pope Leo XIV and other cardinals, the Guardian reported. The agreement will see the firm that ran the smelter, the Doe Run Company, a subsidiary of Renco Group, pay $150m to 1,373 Peruvians who have suffered health impacts since childhood.
The settlement resolves claims out of court, meaning the payment was agreed without a final court ruling. The Guardian reported that those covered by the agreement were allegedly poisoned as children by the plant in the Andes.
Barreto’s involvement in the case spanned almost 20 years. During that time, according to the Guardian, he received a barrage of death threats and faced harassment as he challenged the company behind the toxic smelter.
The cardinal’s description of the outcome as a “historic milestone” reflects the significance of the agreement for the affected community, many of whom have lived with health impacts since their childhood.
Why it matters
Lead exposure in childhood can cause lasting health harm, and this settlement represents a rare financial outcome for a large group of affected people in the Andes. The case also highlights the personal risks faced by campaigners who challenge powerful industrial operations.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the lead poisoning settlement worth?
The Doe Run Company, a subsidiary of Renco Group, agreed to pay $150m (£111m) in an out-of-court settlement.
How many people are covered by the settlement?
The agreement covers 1,373 Peruvians who have suffered health impacts since childhood, according to the Guardian.
Who is Cardinal Pedro Barreto?
He is an 82-year-old Peruvian cardinal who campaigned for almost 20 years against the smelter's operations and received death threats and harassment during that time.