Indigenous People Block Oil Development

More: Peru's indigenous Amazonians scored a historic victory as Peru's legislature voted 82-12 to repeal controversial land laws intended to implement the US-Peru trade pact. Civil disturbances protesting the laws caused 34 deaths and provoked tensions with Peru's traditional enemy Bolivia, when socialist President Evo Morales backed the Indian's tribal rights. Peru's Prime Minister Yehude Simon (AP photo, center) led talks with the protesting tribes.

Update: {6/11/09}The leader of the indigenous revolt in the Amazon forest region of Peru has fled to Nicaragua for political asylum after the demonstrations against oil development in their home region turned violent. Alberto Pizango, head of an organization that represents 56 tribes spent Wednesday in the Nicaraguan embassy in Lima. He has been charged with sedition, conspiracy and rebellion by his government. Last Friday 2,000 tribesmen carrying machetes and spears fought heavily armed police after a highway blockade confrontation. First reports put the number of killed at 25 and nine police, but later reports put the number at 60 including 23 police. Many more people are missing and unaccounted. President Garcia's attempt to open up Peru's Amazon region to mineral exploitation as part of a trade agreement with the United States has infuriated Amazon tribes who see the policy as an attempt to sell off their lands without their consent. Indigenous people see little improvement in their lives as a result of development, and their relationship with the ruling European elite is tense. Garcia has characterized the Indians as ignorant savages, blocking progress for all Peruvians. However, Peru's parliament has voted to suspend the controversial land laws for 90 days until order is restored.

{6/5/09}Peruvian Indians are dying to protect their rainforest homes from oil development. Twenty five Indians and nine police have died in gunfire at a road blockade in the northern province of Utcubamba on Friday according to AP. Blockades have occurred intermittently since April as Indians demand the repeal of laws making it easier for foreign companies to exploit their homelands. Peruvian President Alan Garcia says the laws are needed to bring progress to all Peruvians, but indigenous leaders say Garcia is violating the country's constitution and international law by not obtaining their consent to development in their areas. Half the population of Peru is indigenous and its poverty rate tops 40%. Most of the material benefits of development are enjoyed by a wealthy business and political class. Due to the unrest, a state of emergency was declared on April 26, and the state oil company Petropru stopped pumping oil through its northern pipeline from the Amazon region.