Water as a fundamental right in latin america: realities, conflicts, and opportunities
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8654-0164
This study analyzed the realities, conflicts, and opportunities of the recognition of the human right to water and sanitation in Latin America between 2019 and 2024. It took into account that water transcends its function as a resource and is positioned as a pillar of human dignity and sustainable development. This study was based on the need to determine the explicit incorporation of this right in the different constitutional frameworks of the region, which has been translated into practice. The methodology employed was a documentary review that allowed me to cover academic databases, repositories of international organizations, and civil society publications. The selected documents had to meet criteria of temporality and content. Keywords in Spanish, English, and Portuguese were used. It can be stated that the constitutional recognition of the right to water constitutes a notable legal advance in certain regions, but it has not eradicated deep inequalities in access. The active participation of citizens and Indigenous peoples is an essential driver for the enforceability of this right, with the goal of proposing more inclusive and sustainable water governance models. Effectively realizing this right requires strong political will, as well as adequate resources and genuine participation mechanisms that go beyond the formal declaration.
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