The Amazonian City of Pucallpa Has Been Protesting For Days, but Peru's Media Isn't Taking Notice
Fourth day of the indefinite strike in Pucallpa. Photo shared on Twitter by @carlos1cd.
This post was originally published on the blog Globalizado by Juan Arellano.
The normally calm Amazonian city of Pucallpa, in the region of Uyacali in Northeast Peru, is being shaken by a regional strike that began on March 9, 2016. However, in Lima — the capital city — people don't seem to know much about it. Perhaps this is the consequence of the unusual presidential race playing out in the country, which is enjoying the undivided attention of the media.
El Frente de Defensa de Ucayali (The Ucayali Defense League) is the organization behind the general strike, which is attracting people from many different walks of life. It is demanding a price reduction in electricity, gas, fuel and waste sanitation. They are also calling for the restitution of cuts made to the region's, provinces’ and districts’ budgets; and a solution to the issues of land ownership titles and services for informal settlements in the area.
The strike has received intense support in the city, and some of the neighboring provinces have joined in. The first day of the indefinite strike, which saw massive demonstrations, left one person injured. According to witnesses, the injury was the result of rubber bullets shot by the police. The demonstrations continued for a second and third consecutive day and lead to the arrest of 21 protesters. On the fourth day, 15 indigenous communities joined the strike. In addition, closed businesses and blocked roads began to have an effect with a growing shortage of basic goods, forcing some residents to create communal kitchens.
#Pucallpa preparándose para la Huelga de mañana. pic.twitter.com/BzfYuoTSy1
— Carlos Cavero (@carlos1cd) March 9, 2016
#Pucallpa prepares itself for tomorrow's strike.
During the wee hours of Tuesday, March 9, the day the protest began, members of the Frente de Defensa de Ucayali (Ucayali Defense Legue) marched through the streets accompanied by the police.
y empezó la huelga en #Pucallpa. #Ucayalazo pic.twitter.com/WjQtyhBaE4
— Carlos Cavero (@carlos1cd) March 9, 2016
and the strike has begun in #Pucallpa. #Ucayalazo
The next day, different users tweeted photos and videos of what they saw in the streets of Pucallpa:
Segundo día de UCAYALAZO en Pucallpa. Se torna más intensa y puede desencadenar en algo grave…. pic.twitter.com/TEyFGy9Gif
— Alimber Sandy (@SandyZarria) March 10, 2016
Second day of the UCAYALAZO in Pucallpa. It is becoming more intense and could trigger something more serious….
@RPPNoticias @atv_noticias @Latina_Noticias @noticias_tvperu @atvmasnoticias @canalN_ #Ucayalazo #Pucallpa pic.twitter.com/iNEC8nlxRt
— Jack Benedetti (@arrozconlenteja) March 11, 2016
#HuelgaUcayalina continúa con una marcha en exigencia de sus reclamos al Gobierno. #Pucallpa pic.twitter.com/Nw0e2zt3rj
— Josep Zamudio (@josepbzn) March 10, 2016
#HuelgaUcayalina continues with a strike demanding the government meet their claims #Pucallpa
The following days brought more protests:
Carretera bloqueada por el #Ucayalazo #Pucallpa se defiende, pucallpa no se vende pic.twitter.com/6gHrEGeL1K
— Ollenkita Sharmelly (@Sharmelly15) March 12, 2016
Road blocked by the #Ucayalazo#Pucallpa defense, Pucallpa is not for sale
En otros temas, continúa el paro en Pucallpa por cuarto día. Piden hablar con ministros @canalN_ pic.twitter.com/uvzyhqw6AJ
— Jimmy Chinchay (@Jimmychinchay) March 12, 2016
In other news,the strike in Pucallpa is in its fourth day. They are asking to speak with ministers @canalN_pic.
Sigue la huelga en Pucallpa.#Ucayalazopic.twitter.com/zcxjsvPT9U
— Mirko Rojas Mego (@mirkosoft) March 12, 2016
The strike continues in Pucallpa. #Ucayalazo
@VeroLinaresC Verito lo que esta padando en Pucallpa con el pero ya van 4 dias. Saludos pic.twitter.com/nU4Hsw6PnE
— Melissita Ibarra (@IbarraMelissita) March 12, 2016
@VeroLinaresC Verito, this is what's happening in Pucallpa. The strike has already been on for four days.
#Ucayalazo día 04 #Pucallpa pic.twitter.com/GGL9FqkOaH
— Carlos Cavero (@carlos1cd) March 13, 2016
Pucallpa es un caos. pic.twitter.com/K1M7FV9LCD
— Carlos Cavero (@carlos1cd) March 13, 2016
Chaos in Pucallpa.
Little by little, violence began to creep into the protests.
5to día de huelga #Pucallpa #Ucayalazo pic.twitter.com/6N67JsbC23
— Fantasmita✌ (@Tufantasmita) March 13, 2016
Fifth day of strike #Pucallpa #Ucayalazo
En Pucallpa esto no es huelga es violencia. Las autoridades donde están? @renegaste1 @americatv_peru @elcomercio pic.twitter.com/2AUhaQVroa
— Katia Ch Villacorta (@kattyc9) March 13, 2016
This isn't a strike in Pucallpa, this is violence. Where are the authorities?
Cono sur de Pucallpa pide – https://t.co/b3UBLE2TWI pic.twitter.com/p4Obp2VfQG
— Diario Ahora (@diarioahora) March 14, 2016
Southern cone of Pucallpa demands – https://t.co/b3UBLE2TWIpic.twitter.com/p4Obp2VfQG
#ucayalazo!!! Pucallpa en pie de lucha pic.twitter.com/bbmQk2SvUl
— diana G. Martin (@CarolGm2728) March 14, 2016
#ucayalazo!!! Pucallpa fights
The lack of television coverage in Lima is strange not only for the locals in Pucallpa, but also for people in Lima who have found out about the events from other sources.
SEXTO DIA de paro regional en Pucallpa y ni una noticia en los programas del domingohttps://t.co/qbSrKmFQB2#Prioridades
— Camilo Deza (@CamiloDeza) March 14, 2016
Sixth day of regional strike in Pucallpa and there isn't one news story in the Sunday programmes. https://t.co/qbSrKmFQB2 #Priorities
There are even rumors that two people died during clashes with the police, however this has not been confirmed.
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