60+ feared dead as Peruvian Amazon mining, oil protests descend into anarchy

Curfews and checkpoints have been imposed by Peru's army after clashes between police and indigenous protestors over mining, oil and gas exploitation in the Amazon erupted into a murderous rampage.

Author: Dorothy Kosich
Posted: Monday , 08 Jun 2009

RENO, NV -

In the worst violence Peru has experienced since the end of the Shining Path revolt in the 1990s, at least 22 Peruvian police officers and from nine to 30 civilians have died since security forces have tried to break up protests and blockades aimed at halting the flow of oil and gas, and stopping mining development in the Peruvian Amazon.

Peruvian cabinet chief Yehude Simon told reporters that 155 people had been injured; about a third of them had been shot. A curfew has been imposed by the Peruvian government in the region.

The situation exploded when Peruvian lawmakers refused to allow debate on President Alan Garcia's amendment to Decree 1090 to open up to 60% of Peru's jungles to mining, oil and gas exploration and development. The Peruvian Constitution says the government owns all subsoil rights across the country, prompting President Garcia to push for development of the mineral resources he considers necessary to help develop the country's economy.

Indigenous groups said Garcia failed to consult them in good faith before signing contracts that could impact at least 30,000 Amazon Indians across six provinces. The Indians feel the amendment will undermine their control over ancestral land by giving the Peruvian government the power to grant mining and energy concessions without consulting local residents.

Protestors held police officers hostage and threatened to kill them unless the police withdrew from the area. The government sent 650 police to clears protestors from the Fernando Belaunde Highway, a main highway in the Amazon region of the Bagua Province.

Interior Minister Mercedes Cabanillas said Indians took weapons from the police and used them on the law enforcement officers. There were reports of protestors dragging bodies of the police through the street.

The head of the armed forces joint command said the curfew is in effect in the provinces of Bagua and Utcubamba. Francisco Javier Contreras asked Indians to "return the 42 AKM rifles they seized from the police force." The policemen were also killed with spears.

Troops controlled the town of Bagua Grande while the police chief in nearby Bagua Chica said the situation is now normal.

In remarks made Sunday, Garcia claimed, "There is a conspiracy aimed at stopping us from using our natural resources for the good, growth and quality of life of our people."

"You have to ask yourself: Who stands to benefit from Peru not being able to use its gas? Who stands to benefit from Peru not finding any more oil," Garcia asked, "We know who. The important thing is to establish the ties in these international networks which have emerged to foment unrest."

It is believed Garcia will have to fire the Prime Minister and other senior cabinet members, and pull back on investment laws to end the violence.

Garcia claimed the protesters who killed policemen used "identical methods as those used by the Shining Path" guerrillas as unarmed police who surrendered to protestors had their throats slit and were attacked with spears.