2009 Peruvian political crisis

The 2009 Peruvian political crisis resulted from the ongoing opposition to oil development in the Peruvian Amazon by local Indigenous peoples; they protested Petroperú and confronted the National Police. At the forefront of the movement to resist the development was Asociación Interétnica de Desarrollo de la Selva (AIDESEP), a coalition of indigenous community organizations in the region.

2009 Peruvian clashes

Bagua Province on map of Amazonas Region.
DateJune 2009
Location
Bagua Province (Peruvian Amazon)
Result Offending decrees repealed.
Belligerents

Government of Peru

  • Peruvian National Police
AIDESEP
Commanders and leaders
Alan García
Yehude Simon
Mercedes Cabanillas
Alberto Pizango
Casualties and losses
23 policemen dead
1 policeman missing
10 dead
155 wounded
72 captured

Following the government's decision to pass regulations allowing companies access to the Amazon, natives conducted more than a year of declared opposition and advocacy to change this policy and, from 9 April, began a period of protest and civil disobedience. In June 2009, the Garcia government suspended civil liberties, declared a state of emergency, and sent in the military to stop the protests. The military intervention, referred to as the Baguazo, resulted in two days of bloody confrontations, resulting in a total of 23 police deaths, 10 native/civilians deaths and more than 150 native wounded.

This conflict has been described as Peru's worst political violence in years and is the worst crisis of President Alan García's presidency. Prime Minister Yehude Simon was forced to resign his post in the aftermath, and Congress repealed the laws that led to the protests.

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