Peru, South America
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Peru Struggles to Balance Rights of Native Population and Developers
By Universia-Knowledge@Wharton
The crisis that broke out recently in Peru involved the rejection by the native population of the Amazon region of several government decrees, backed by president Alan Garcia, making it easier for companies to log, farm, explore for oil and natural gas, and develop other natural resources.
The most recent round of conflicts began in April, when the Indian population of Peru’s Amazon region rejected a series of decrees promoted by president Alan García. The decrees were drafted in 2008 within the framework of the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement. They make it easier to privatize natural resources in the Amazon region, which is rich in many commodities.
The native population demanded that authorities revoke the decrees, claiming they threatened their ancestral, communal rights in the region. But the government disagreed and so the 12 largest tribes organized a series of protest demonstrations, which included shutting down roads, closing gas pipeline valves and pumping stations, and blocking river navigation. The government reacted strongly to the demonstrations, arguing that the decrees “regulated” more effectively the management of natural resources and the areas preserved exclusively for the native population. García also emphasized that Peru needs foreign capital to develop its economic potential.
The decisive moment in the conflict took place early in June, when 40 natives and 20 policemen died in an armed confrontation. More than 100 people were wounded. Ultimately, the Peruvian parliament voted to revoke two of the nine decrees handed down by the authorities [in the executive branch]. That may have quieted down the indigenous movement, but the native population is still waiting for revocation of the other statutes. >>> Go to Full Story >>>