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A broad coalition of organizations has dealt a major setback to a Peruvian government plan to privatize water. Under the plan, 13 municipal water utilities were slated for privatization. But pressure from the Frentes de Defensa del Agua y la Vida (Fronts for the defense of water and life) forced the government to cancel the bidding process in the town of Huancayo.

The proposed contract for the town had already been downsized twice before being dropped altogether. The coalition is calling on the government to end further privatization, saying the plan lacks popular support and isn’t transparent or accountable. The coalition is calling for a new national policy to protect water and sanitation services.