Peru suspends rights in jungle protest regions

LIMA, Peru – Peru’s government declared a state of emergency Monday in remote jungle regions where Indian groups are blocking highways and oil and gas installations to protest a law that makes it easier to sell their lands.

The 30-day decree published in the official gazette suspends rights to public gatherings and free transit in three northern provinces.


It follows nine days of protests by members of 65 Indian tribes and a clash Saturday in northern Peru between police and hundreds of spear-carrying Indians with painted faces. Lima newspaper El Comercio reported eight officers and four protesters were injured.

Environment Minister Antonio Brack said protesters have closed a bridge and highway “and threatened to cut the supply of oil via the oil pipeline and gas through the Camisea gas pipeline.”

AP