Amazonian tribe in Peru takes hostages after oil spill

www.reuters.com...

An indigenous community in the Peruvian Amazon took at least eight public officials hostage to demand help from the central government after an oil spill polluted its lands, authorities said Monday.

This is one way to get the gov't's attention and hold them accountable for their state run oil production! Apparently this is common practice when you need to gov't to do something. Good news, it worked and the gov't admits it made a mistake and will provide assistance!

a reply to: Swills

Neat !!

I wonder what the Peruvian BLM will do next?

Great article Swills, They should return these guys drenched and soaking in oil. I'm only worried what kind of "assistance" the government will provide, if you catch my drift.

a reply to: rexsblues

The group being held in Mayuriaga includes three Petroperu officials, four with OEFA and a specialist with the energy and mines ministry, said Velasquez.

They definitely have the right people held hostage for such things.

From reading the article the country is strife so I wouldn't be surprised if gov't assistance means force for all the wrong reasons. Hopefully they will not do such things and fix their problem asap.

a reply to: xuenchen

More like Peruvian Exxon than BLM.

Hopefully they'll clean the rivers first and then provide compensation and medical assistance because I'm sure many people are sick from the pollution.

Good to know that terrorism can also be used to change things for the better.

a reply to: NateTheAnimator

It's not terrorism, it is fighting for your rights. I saw them behead no one or blow anything up.

The ones that destroyed their land are the terrorists and I am sure how they will handle it is to go in and wipe that community out, problem solved.

a reply to: Sakrateri

It's not terrorism, it is fighting for your rights. I saw them behead no one or blow anything up.

This by definition is a form terrorism. They used the hostages as leverage to intimidate the central government to enact political change.

originally posted by: Sakrateri
a reply to: NateTheAnimator

It's not terrorism, it is fighting for your rights. I saw them behead no one or blow anything up.

The ones that destroyed their land are the terrorists and I am sure how they will handle it is to go in and wipe that community out, problem solved.

One persons terrorist is anothers freedom fighter.

a reply to: NateTheAnimator

That was activism, terrorism is what the oil company did to the forest in the first place

a reply to: errorcode

That was activism, terrorism is what the oil company did to the forest in the first place

Taking hostages is activism...? Maybe on your planet.
Look,I'm not condemning what the Peruvians did nor am I condoning what the state-company did by classifying their actions as terrorism,I'm just stating that terrorism can be used for the greater good sometimes.

Is that so bad.

a reply to: Swills

Imagine they were white cowboys. ATS would-be calling for their deaths.

originally posted by: NateTheAnimator
a reply to: Sakrateri

It's not terrorism, it is fighting for your rights. I saw them behead no one or blow anything up.

This by definition is a form terrorism. They used the hostages as leverage to intimidate the central government to enact political change.

And what that political change is it by your definition?
Cleaning oil spill?
Right.

a reply to: TheBulk

Calling for their deaths? Yeah, I don't think so.

a reply to: NateTheAnimator
I would not call it terrorism exactly. It is not as if they kidnapped officials for extortion. In the Roman era hostage taking was considered standard practice to ensure fulfillment of oaths.

a reply to: Aazadan

Tell that to the hostages. I'm sure they are terrified.


I guess if you're taken hostage, sympathize with your captors, after all they are heroes to someone nearby.

This is like getting bitten by a dog, they dont know about everything we do, how can you react to them as you would someone from the cities?
This is something probably fairly common in their culture, how we react to this crime is something they will not expect.

Should we send in the SWAT or military witih flash-bangs and assault rifles? No we will send delegates to appease and appologize.

If you keep a people in a safe zone its a little like a zoo IMO, so we have taken on the roll of care taker, like it or not.

Odd situation

a reply to: Swills

My guess is these people in the tribe are being asked to move out and join the Civilised World... if not, they will e forcefully removed so oil drilling can begin nearby.

Something like that anyway.

Good on them. I am sure they'll get the answers they're looking for. Much more effective than making a clever sign and chanting stupid # while banging on bongos.

originally posted by: MadeUSA
Good on them. I am sure they'll get the answers they're looking for. Much more effective than making a clever sign and chanting stupid # while banging on bongos.

Yeah, everything gets cleaned up in time for a nice photo op, then as soon as the press is gone then everyone even remotely involved is quickly dragged off by the government.

So violence is an effective tool!