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Highways blocked all over Peru in farmer's riot/protest/strike

(LIP-ir) -- Hundreds of inter-provincial buses were stranded in different parts of the country when farmers and representatives of Peru's agricultural industry blocked several parts of the Panamericana Norte Highway from Huacho - approximately 80 miles north of Lima - to Piura, about 652 miles north of the country's capital city.

Protesters have been threatening to strike for some time and began blocking roads at midnight.

Motorists and bus passengers called RPP Noticias early this morning reporting that the Panamericana Norte Highway was blocked in Chancay, Huacho, Huarmey, Trujillo and Piura.

Luis Trujillano, a reporter for RPP Noticias in Chimbote told listeners that approximately 300 buses were waiting for the country's national police to remove debris from the main highway so traffic could return to normal.

National highway police chief, Eduardo Arteta reported that police were making a tremendous effort to get protesters off the highway and clear it of rocks and debris.

Although several parts of the highway have not been cleared, he reported that traffic was back to normal in the regions of Trujillo, Piura and Arequipa.

Prime Minister Jorge del Castillo has assured that there is no reason for the strike, stating that an agreement was signed on Friday between CONVEAGRO (Union of farmers and agricultural producers) and the government.

It was reported that the agreement met 13 of the demands agricultural unions were making.

When asked why the union was supporting the strike, president of CONVEAGRO, Luis Zúñiga said, "Because there are other unions taking part in the strike and we can't abandon them, we will only participate in Monday's strike."

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# Elizabeth says :
18 February, 2008 [ 10:34 ]

It is sad to see that we can not have dialogo and overcome this strikes that the only thing it does is takes away money fromm the workers.  Let's don't waste time doing this and come into an agreement.  It is a great time for Peru to show the International world that we can come into agreements.  Do not use this time to take advantage of the situation and at the end affect the summit which will make our country look bad.  I know we as Peruvian must move away from this type of actions.  I know we can come to an aggrement and both sides should meet half way.

# Anonymous Joe says :
18 February, 2008 [ 13:56 ]

There's not much you can say against a bunch of people protesting over the loss of their livelyhoods because of unfair US food subsidies (protectionist anti-free trade) and the poorly negotiated free trade agreement.

# Emma says :
18 February, 2008 [ 15:58 ]

Not fully understanding the reason for these protests but understanding the need for people to demonstrate against any unfair treatment - as tourists travelling through we don't mind delays or roads being closed.
However I am at a loss as to how these demonstrators can throw rocks and threaten the lives of innocent tourists caught up in the area.

I am also very sad to say that there were no police in the area protecting the safety of other local people in the melee. 

# Paracas Guy says :
18 February, 2008 [ 17:34 ]

Emma that is because the police did not wish to earn their pay by having rocks thrown at them as well.

# Capitan Dan says :
18 February, 2008 [ 23:52 ]

I just finished talking to a friend that is a part owner in a very large travel agency.I asked her about a trip to Peru.She said,"Don't go the people are crazy, they strike more than the teamsters".She will not book anyone to Peru without them signing a liability waiver.She said, "forget Peru, go to Costa Rica, Their civilized".She didn't know I travel to peru often and plan to move here soon.. But you can see the negative publicity we are getting..Peru has survived for years without tourists.. We will survive.. Was that a song?

# Elizabeth says :
22 February, 2008 [ 15:40 ]

Peru is a beautiful country with a rich culture and wonderful people.  The protest is not what bothers me, because here in the USA there are always protest with union and non-union people as well and I think is a good thing as we are a Democracy, but what does BOTHER me, is that the heads of state will miss out on visiting CUZCO which is a landmark for the Peruvian people.  There are many foreigners that enjoy going to Peru,as well as may people from the entertaiment business.  So, to the person that said thea her friend who owns a traveln agency and is not booking anything in Peru, you are missing the point of freedom of speech with the Peruvian peple.  Peru is the county in South America with the most culture and History.  Their economy is strong and continues to grow..........................

# legal says :
22 February, 2008 [ 23:17 ]

Well put Elizabeth:  The Peruvian people have a right to express their concerns, of what they feel could be and no doubt will become exploitation of their Civil liberty to freedom of speech to protect their Cultural- beliefs and Cultural Heritage, and to not become oppressed of their natural Human Right as a people,to the effects that will harm their Livelyhoods also.

So to all those who think,that money\profit is the only solution to making the world a better place to live and lifes exspectations exceptable always,i have to say (you ses need your brain looked at)as you don't know much and probably never will