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Why do the people of Petorca not have water? The answer to this simple question is complex and requires a deep analysis of Petorca´s water crisis in all its dimensions. This thesis studies the causes and effects of the crisis to unfold the impact of the neoliberal legacy and the extractivist model, as well as the social response to water privatization and commodification. Since the 1980s, Chile has managed water as private property constitutionally protected, allowing large agricultural companies, particularly avocado producers in Petorca, to gain legal control of most of the water, leaving rural communities without enough to survive. The situation worsened with the megadrought that began in 2011, which provoked a strong community response. This thesis argues that the privatization and commodification of water generate inequality, foster social resistance, and demonstrate how neoliberal systems ignore environmental and social needs in pursuit of economic growth. Petorca's experience serves as a lens for understanding similar struggles in regions such as Mexico, Colombia, Uruguay, and Bolivia. This thesis explores key questions: How did neoliberal water policies contribute to Petorca’s water crisis? How has the avocado industry deepened the crisis? How have local communities resisted, and what strategies have they employed? What policy changes, if any, have resulted from this conflict? Lastly, what does Petorca reveal about the intersection of neoliberalism, agribusiness, and social resistance?
