Ninth Soldier Killed In New Shining Path VRAE Attack

A non-commissioned army officer was killed in a new attack by remnants of the Shining Path insurgency in the Apurimac and Ene river valley, known as the VRAE, daily El Comercio reported.

The officer, 38-year-old Valentin Huanca, was killed when a Shining Path sharpshooter attacked the Mazángaro counter-terrorism military base in Junin region’s San Martin de Pangoa province.  He is the ninth security forces member to be killed in the past month in the VRAE.  

The other eight security forces were killed as part of an operation to rescue 36 natural gas workers who were kidnapped in April, further south in the north Cusco region.  The unsuccessful operation —the hostages were allegedly released by the Read more…

CAF Applauds Peru’s Path Towards Sustainable Development

The Andean Development Corporation, CAF, said Tuesday that Peru is on the right path to sustainable development in the long term, according to the country’s state news agency Andina.

Jose Carrera, the vice president of social development at CAF, said that Peru has experienced important growth with equity, which has improved the lives of the country’s poorest.

“The poorest are the ones that need to improve their quality of life, their conditions and health, fundamental elements for an economy to have sustainable Read more…

Opposition Lawmakers To Support No Confidence Vote For Ministers

Opposition lawmakers say they will support a vote of no confidence for Interior Minister Daniel Lozada and Defense Minister Alberto Otarola, due to their handling of the incidents involving Shining Path remnants in the Apurimac and Ene River Valley, or VRAE, daily El Comercio reported.

Spokespersons for the Alianza por el Gran Cambio, Solidaridad Nacional and Concertacion Parlamentaria said Monday that they would support the vote.

“For Alianza por el Gran Cambio we absolutely support the decision of the government to systematically confront drug trafficking and terrorism, but there is  no way Read more…

Humala Travels To Japan, South Korea To Boost Ties

President Ollanta Humala left for Asia over the weekend as part of a tour aimed at boosting political and economic ties.

Humala left Sunday for Japan, accompanied by Foreign Relations Minister Rafael Roncagliolo and Finance Minister Luis Miguel Castilla.

Humala and the other high-level government officials are scheduled to meet with the Peruvian Japanese Business Council, Cepeja, on Monday night in Tokyo. On Tuesday, they will hold talks with Japan’s parliament, including a meeting with the President Read more…

Prime Minister Rejects Calls To Remove Ministers Over VRAE Strategy

Prime Minister Oscar Valdes rejected Friday that Peru’s Interior and Defense ministers could be removed from their posts for their handling of a conflict with Shining Path remnants in the coca-growing Apurimac and Ene river valleys, or VRAE.

Valdes said that removing Defense Minister Alberto Otarola or Interior Minister Daniel Lozada would not be favorable for the government, daily El Comercio reported.

Valdes’ comments come as a number of lawmakers are calling for the ministers to resign following recent events in the VRAE that show the state has practically no Read more…

Sunat Chief Says Gov’t To Implement Mechanisms In June To Combat Illegal Mining

The head of Peru’s tax agency Sunat, Tania Quispe, said the government plans to establish by June mechanisms to halt the supply of chemical inputs and machinery that are used by illegal gold miners, state news agency Andina reported.

“We are talking about May or June at the latest,” Quispe said. “We plan to pull out all the stops in the  regulation process.”

Quispe said that Sunat, which also governs the customs superintendency Sunad, plays an important role in the government’s efforts to stem illegal mining by detecting Read more…

Heavy Rains Cause More Than 50 Deaths Since November

Flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains in Peru have caused the deaths of 53 people over the past six months, according to the country’s National Civil Defense Institute, Indeci.

Since November, some 267,000 people have been affected by the rains, daily El Comercio reported.

The rains have affected all of Peru’s 25 regions, according to the report, in a rainy season that has continued beyond the usual November-March season, with losses recorded in urban and rural areas, Read more…

Poll: Support Grows For Newmont’s Minas Conga Gold Project

A new poll by company GFK has found that national support for Newmont Mining’s massive Minas Conga gold project, located in Peru’s Cajamarca region, is increasing, daily El Comercio reported.

The poll of 1,400 people, conducted between April 19 and April 21, shows that 54 percent support the project, which is up 6 percent from March.

Opposition to the project is down 5 percent to 36 percent, according to the poll, Read more…

Humala Gives Approval To Raise Minimum Wage

President Ollanta Humala has authorized officials from Peru’s Labor Ministry to start procedures to increase the minimum wage to 750 soles (approximately $285) a month, from the current rate of 675 soles.

The increase is part of a two-stage hike, for a total of 150 soles, that Humala promised during last year’s presidential campaign. The first hike to 675 soles from 600 soles was approved in 2011.

“Fulfilling my election promise, I want to communicate to you that I have given Read more…

Humala Rejects Rumours That He May Change Cabinet

President Ollanta Humala has reiterated his support for his cabinet chief, Oscar Valdes, as he rejected rumors that he could make changes to his cabinet anytime soon, newspaper Peru.21 reported.

“He has my support,” said Humala, during a lunch with Valdes at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Lima.

Peru.21 says that Humala told Valdes that he is not planning changes to his cabinet at least until July, and that he will coordinate any changes with him.  Traditionally, the Read more…

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