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LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Peru's Minister of the Interior, Mecedes Cabanillas, confirmed that nine policemen died this morning during clashes with Amazonian natives in a sector known as "Curva del Diablo" (Devil's Curve) between kilometers 200 and 202 of the Fernando Belaunde Terry road, in Bagua (Amazon Region).

Cabanillas is considering the possibility of imposing a curfew in the area, as well as sending in the armed forces, and has stated that she believes “political interests” may be behind these protests.

According to indigenous leader Alberto Pizango, there may be 22 indigenous casualties, which he blamed on President Alan Garcia.

“The government must answer for this” he said.

Bagua's Mayor, Luis Nuñez, informed Radio Programas del Peru (RPP) that some 11 civilians may also have died during the clashes.

Furthermore, National Coordination of Radio (CNR) reported that Pizango, who is to face charges of insurgency and mutiny, might ask for asylum from Bolivia, Venezuela or Ecuador in the next few hours.

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