In coordinated protests that began on Saturday, August 9, indigenous Peruvians have blockaded and shut down energy infrastructure in both the north and south of the large country.

In the southern Amazonian province of Cusco, hundreds of indigenous protesters occupied Lot 56 of the controversial Camisea gas field, forcing the company to cease extraction there. Argentine company Pluspetrol, which operates the field, evacuated its workers from the site.

In Loreto, another southern Amazonian province, 800 indigenous protesters occupied an oil-pump, drilling platforms, helicopter port and buildings operated by state oil company Petroperu.

In the northern province of Amazonas, indigenous protesters took over the El Muyo hydroelectric plant and shut down part of an oil duct.

The protests were sparked by opposition to a recently signed Free Trade Agreement with the United States and a number of draft laws in the legislature, all of which would escalate commercial exploitation of indigenous territories. The protesters continue to demand the restoration of their inalienable collective rights over their land. The government insists it will not negotiate until the protests end.