Abstract

Vicunas and salt flats have been part of the biocultural heritage of the people living on the Altiplano since immemorial times. In recent decades, both common pool resources have undergone a commodification process for the extraction of lithium and production of vicuna fiber for the international market. Despite the high prices paid for manufactured products in the international market and the projects' intention of poverty alleviation and development, the local economic impact of the production (for both commodities) is quite limited. The commodification of lithium and vicuna fiber allow us to understand the different views on natural resources, as well as the unequal relationship between indigenous communities and the international market. The comparison of Andean countries examines the trajectories of production, consumption, socio-environmental impacts, appropriation of benefits along the value chain and unfulfilled narratives. We also discuss the implementation of collective action processes for the management of vicunas and the defense of salt flats.