Indigenous representatives, Gana Peru lawmakers call for approval of prior consultation

Representatives of indigenous communities and legislators from President Ollanta Humala’s ruling Gana Peru party called on Congress Thursday to approve the prior consultation law soon. Lawmaker Eduardo Nayap, a member of the Awajun indigenous community, said the law will improve social inclusion and prevent social conflicts, which have mired numerous mining and energy projects during the [...]

Indigenous protesters lift Marañón river blockade

Residents in Peru’s Loreto department have lifted a blockade in the Marañón river in protest of Argentinean oil company Pluspetrol’s response to an oil spill earlier this year, Radioprogramas reported. Indigenous residents began the protests this week by blocking traffic on the river. They argued that Pluspetrol had not fulfilled its commitment to provide social [...]

Death toll rises in aftermath of clash between police and indigenous protesters in Peru’s north Amazon jungle

Indigenous communities in Peru’s Amazon, demanding the repeal of a series of decrees they say are promoting unchecked development in their territory, clashed with police on Friday, leaving up to 40 or more people dead, including at least 9 police officers and up to 28 indigenous protesters.

Chronology of the Current Amazon Issue

Abridged from “Chronicle of a Killing Foretold” by Instituto Bartolomé de las Casas, Lima ——— November 2007: President García publishes in the daily “El Comercio” his articles on “the dog in the manger syndrome” and “the dog in the manger reloaded,” where the President states: “The primary resource is Amazonia. It has 63 million hectares [...]