On the sixth day of a declared civil strike (paro) in Peru's Amazon rainforest, hundreds of indigenous protesters armed with spears seized oil installations Oct. 6, effectively shutting down the NorPeruano Pipeline [8]. Station 5 on the pipeline, as well as oil exploitation blocs 192, 95 and 8, all in Loreto region, are under occupation. State company PetroPerú [11] admitted that personnel have been evacuated from the pumping station, in Manseriche district, and that the seizure of the installation has "paralyzed the operations" of the pipeline. Awajún apu (traditional leader) James Pérez, speaking for the Indigenous Association for the Development & Conservation of the Bajo Yurimaguas, said the paro will continue until the central government responds to protesters' demands.
Protesters are insisting on a personal audience with President Pedro Castillo [12] and his minister for energy and mines, Iván Merino, to discuss their demands for environmental remediation following hundreds of oil spills, and more investment in health and education programs for the region. The paro is being supported by the Native Awajún Federation of the Río Apaga (FENARA) and the coalition Peoples Affected by Oil Activity (PAAP). (Gestión [9], Andina [13], EFE [14])