Assassination of a rainforest defender. His boat was ambushed by killers
Ongoing large-scale logging in the Peruvian rainforest area has sparked rebellion and protest from locals. These individuals are interested in protecting this land's wood and other natural resources and are willing to risk all. The Kichwa tribe had a horrible experience of this when their leader was killed. The killers plotted their move, hid, and then ambushed the boat in which he was traveling with his family.
10:41 AM EST, December 2, 2023
The Associated Press was alerted about the murder by the victim's son, Kevin Arnol Inuma Mandruma.
Quinto Inuma Alvarado was attacked on Wednesday while heading back from a women's leadership workshop focused on environmental conservation in the San Martín region of the Amazon. He was in a boat with his wife, son, daughter, and brothers when the attackers blockaded the river with a log, and subsequently opened fire on them.
Quinto Inuma was shot four times, thrice in the back and once in the head. Kevin Inuma's aunt was also injured during the attack. Kevin was not present on the boat during the attack but was informed of the horrible incident by his brother and mother.
Kevin Inuma stated that his father, Quinto Inuma was repeatedly threatened with death in connection with illegal logging activities.
The struggle persists
In a joint statement, the Ministries of Interior, Environment, Justice and Human Rights, and Culture of Peru labeled the attack on Quinto Inuma as "cowardly". They promised a thorough investigation by the National Police and mentioned that the search for suspects was in progress.
We will persist in our efforts to thwart illegal activities that are destroying our forests and ecosystems and jeopardizing the lives and integrity of all Peruvians – the statement declared.
Local news outlets reported that the community in this area seems to be isolated in their fight against the culprits of illegal logging. This fight poses a daily threat to their lives.
Last year, the Kichwa tribe lost a significant part of their ancestral territory when Cordillera Azul National Park was established on the Amazon-Andes border. Many trees found in the park have since been sold to international companies.
The Kichwa tribes neither agreed to this dispossession nor received compensation. Faced with the relentless wheels of economic growth, they often lose because they don't hold official titles to their ancestral lands. The rights of indigenous people mean nothing to those exploiting the wood and other natural resources of this land.
