Stories about Peru from November, 2011
Peru: Conga Mining Project Suspended in Wake of Public Pressure
Protesting residents have managed to temporarily suspend operations of the Conga gold mining project, but protests continue all the same in support of the project's definitive cancellation. At the heart of the conflict is the defense of some 20 lagoons and their ecosystems, which would be seriously degraded by the execution of this mining project.
Peruvian Amazon: The Challenges of a Wonder of Nature
The Amazon rainforest has been declared as one of the provisional 7 new wonders of nature, a recognition that is expected to benefit the Peruvian region of Loreto and the city of Iquitos by incrementing tourism. But is the region actually prepared for this?
Peru: Rain Causes Flooding in Iquitos
Rains have once again caused flooding in the city of Iquitos in the Amazon Rainforest. The blogger behind De la Selva [es] attributes the flooding to sewage works and posts Facebook pictures of the flood.
Peru: Iquitos Against the Chaos Caused by Sewage Works
The beautiful and warm city of Iquitos, in the Loreto region, is going through several problems; the most worrying and annoying for the inhabitants is the chaos caused by controversial sewage works. Citizens are using social networks to organize and demand a solution.
Peru: ‘Sugar Camp Lima’ Aims to Give Children a Learning Platform in Their Native Language
“Inventors, artists, educators and citizens” are invited to participate in Sugar Camp Lima 2011 [es] on November 18 and 19 in Lima, Peru. Participants will work on the ‘Sugar’ learning platform for XO Laptops by translating content [es] into Quechua and Aymara and participating in a ‘Hacker's Space’ [es]. Registration [es]...
Peru: Reflecting on Anti-Mining Protests
Peruvian bloggers reflect on recent protests and social conflicts related to environmental problems caused by mining, and the influence these problems might have on the future actions of the government of President Ollanta Humala.
“Twitteristan”, a Country Where Everyone Talks but Few Listen
Peruvian Global Voices author and translator Gabriela García Calderón writes in her blog [es] about “Twitteristan”, describing Twitter as if it were a country and arguing that the strangest thing about this “country” is that you have to limit your messages to 140 characters: “I say that in Twitteristan people...
Peru: Farmers’ Strike in Andahuaylas
Tuesday, November 8, marked six days of a farmers' strike protesting mining activity in the area in Andahuaylas, in the Apurímac region of Peru. Netizens are reporting through Twitter as the strike continues.
Peru: Over 30 People Injured in Farmer's Strike in Andahuaylas
A farmers’ strike [es] against mining activities in Andahuaylas, in the Apurímac region, turned violent on November 10, leaving damages and 38 people injured, according to the latest reports by El Comercio [es]. Juan Arellano gathers citizen reactions and reports via Storify [es].
Peru: The First 100 Days of Ollanta Humala's Government
Saturday November 5 marked the first hundred days of the Peruvian government of Ollanta Humala. The media and some bloggers took the opportunity to analyze the president's achivements and mistakes.
Peru: Protests Against ‘Conga’ Mining Project in Cajamarca
Citizens of Cajamarca, in northern Peru, protested against the ‘Conga’ mining project on November 9. Juan Arellano put together a Storify post [es] with background information on this conflict, and citizen reactions and reports shared on Twitter.
Peru: Speaking out Against Media Sensationalism
Gabriela García Calderón, who comes from a family of journalists, blogs [es] about sensationalism in the media, arguing that reporters sometimes go too far to get the news that will make the front page: “A little restraint would be nice. Empathy. Respect for the person who is suffering. Tolerance.”
Peru: Student's Death in the Andes Divides Media and Social Networks
Ciro Castillo Rojo had been missing for nearly seven months; the finding of his body put an end to the mystery regarding his whereabouts, but the controversy related to his death was revived. This particular case has managed to capture citizens' attention and stay longer than usual in the media's agenda.
Latin America: Travel Writer Tackles the Andes
Michael Busch interviews travel writer Michael Jacobs about his book Andes: “Beginning in Hugo Chavez’s Venezuela and finishing up in the heart of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego, Andes masterfully details the history, art, geography, personalities, and politics that have defined and been given shape by life in the region.”