The decades-old "Wall of Shame" dividing wealthy neighborhoods in Lima, Peru, from poorer communities is finally being taken down, reports Reuters. This barrier, up to three meters high and lined with barbed wire, symbolized stark inequality in the country. Its removal comes after a four-year legal battle that ended with a ruling from the constitutional court.
The wall was originally built in the 1980s by affluent residents of La Molina district for security during violence caused by the Shining Path, a rebel group. This group's insurgency led to a brutal two-decade conflict, resulting in an estimated 69,000 deaths or disappearances. Despite the group's defeat in the 1990s, the wall remained, separating La Molina from the less privileged Villa Maria del Triunfo and even expanding over time.
While residents of La Molina will follow the court's decision to dismantle the wall, the process may take time due to unforeseen expenses. However, there is no plan to establish direct access from Villa Maria del Triunfo to La Molina.
The situation has raised concerns among La Molina's residents about outsiders encroaching on their properties. La Molina features expansive parks and luxurious residences, some worth millions of dollars. On the other side of the wall, modest homes are being built on hilly terrain, with residents navigating steep slopes to get around.
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