In the department of Amazonas, since the early hours of June 8, the Cenepa Border Communities Development Organization (Odecofroc), which brings together 63 Awajún native communities, has been blocking the Comainas River in the El Cenepa basin, with the objective of preventing the entry of illegal miners.
As reported by the portal ‘Amazon Watcher‘, during the development of the protest measure, 10 people have been arrested, of which three, including a Colombian citizen, will be handed over to the National Police of Peru soon to face justice for the alleged illegal extraction of gold in its territory.
According to Dante Sejekampresident of Odecofroc, the communities hope that the accused are not released, while a next operation is coordinated with personnel from the Environmental Prosecutor’s Office (FEMA), who, they request, remain in the area threatened by the illegal economy.
Odecofroc has confirmed that, after reaching community agreements, the other detained people have been released. Also, the indigenous organization has detailed that on the shores of the communities of Kusu Kubaim and Pay they are still operating more than 36 dredgerswith which the illegal extraction of gold is carried out.
However, although the blockade has already caused some dredgers to leave the communities, such as Tutino and New Tutinothere is concern that miners who are close to the community Kusu Kubaim move towards the Canga area, causing conflicts.
Along the same lines, Odecofroc has confirmed to Amazon Watcher that they will maintain the blockade on the Comainas River for a month. Likewise, within the framework of their fight against illegal mining, they reported that, also as a protest measure, they have closed access to fuel and restricted the entry of resources for illicit activity.
“Also, it is paralyzing mining, closing fuel access that goes from Huampami to Kusu Kubaim and retaining the entry of mining accessories such as hoses, tubes, carpets, fuel, among others, which they transport in plain sight of the population,” detailed Dante Sejekam, president of Odecofroc.
On the other hand, Dante Sejekaman Awajún indigenous authority, has reported an increase in HIV infections and school dropouts linked to mining activity, which result in conflicts between Awajún families.
In addition, there are complaints that some municipal authorities are favoring illegal miners. Faced with the panorama, Odecofroc demands projects aimed at contributing to the economic development of the communities, in addition to the presence of the Police to facilitate control in the area threatened by illegal mining. Well, indigenous leaders fear the corruption generated by payments related to mining concessions.
“Parents are getting quite careless with mining, they say it is the only economic income. We, who do not have an economic income, cannot compete with mining. The problem is not only for the State to see, but also for the population itself because this generates divisions and threats in families, they even begin to give away their daughters, there is prostitution of minors, and male students abandon their studies for mining. “So, what is the future of El Cenepa?” declared the Awajún authority to Vigilante Amazónico.
“A request is that there be alternative projects focused on the communities and articulate with institutions such as the Ministry of Agrarian Development, or others that formulate productive and agricultural projects. Also the presence of the National Police to facilitate patrolling and control with the ronderos, communal police and community members, because Cenepa is becoming no man’s land, and many of those who work are no longer only in the river but also on the land”Dante Sejekam added.
