LIMA, Peru — A top Indian leader said Thursday that she would call for an end to protests in Peru’s Amazon after Congress revoked two disputed decrees that indigenous groups believe would spur oil and gas development on their lands.
Daysi Zapata, vice president of the Amazon Indian confederation that led the protests, asked activists to lift blockades of jungle rivers and roads set up beginning in April.
“This is a historic day for indigenous people because it demonstrates that our demands and struggle were just,” Zapata said in a news conference.
The protests turned bloody on June 5 when authorities moved in to break up a road blockade manned by activists in Peru’s remote northern jungle.
Twenty-three police were killed and, by Indian count, at least 30 civilians died.
The Indians have opposed 11 pro-investment decrees enacted by President Alan Garcia so a free trade agreement with the U.S. could take effect.
