Protesters block heavily traveled river in Peru

Lima, Agency
A blockade of the Marañon River in the Peruvian jungle by thousands of Indians protesting against an oil company has now stopped the normal transit of passenger boats and freighters in the area, an official with the port authority in Iquitos, capital of the Loreto region, told on Tuesday.

"Neither the ships headed for the Tigre River, belonging to oil companies, nor those coming from Yurimaguas, mainly carrying passengers, are able to pass," the official said.

As many as 5,000 Indians have closed down traffic since Monday on the Marañon River, one of Loreto's main transport routes, in protest against the lack of compliance with the agreements that the Argentine oil company Pluspetrol made with the communities.

A spokesperson for the Indians told Efe on Monday that the strong-arm tactic was sparked by the natives' indignation at Pluspetrol's attitude and that they intend to keep the river closed until there is some sign of a true commitment to observe the agreements.

The Indians planned to meet late Tuesday with representatives of Pluspetrol and the police with the goal of reaching an accord that would allow the river to be opened to traffic once more.

The company said Tuesday in a press release that it has complied with the agreements it made after the oil spills in the area, which included the distribution of 1,500 tons of water and 730 tons of food.

Pluspetrol said that according to the pact, the company was obliged to continue its aid until the waters of the Marañon River were determined to have returned to their natural state before the spills, something that the company says has been certified by regional health authorities, contrary to the opinion of the Indians.