Peru rescues eight soldiers wounded by rebels
Peru’s army rescued eight soldiers wounded by Shining Path rebels, the defense ministry said on Friday, after a week of setbacks for the army amid the heaviest fighting of 2009 in the world’s largest coca-growing region.
Three of the soldiers retrieved in the rescue mission had been wounded and left behind on Tuesday after a clash between the army and communist Shining Path guerrillas in an Andean jungle in central Peru. The other five had been wounded on Wednesday when the rebels shot down a helicopter sent by the army in a failed mission to bring back the first three.
In the successful rescue operation, the army used helicopters to pick up the eight wounded soldiers near a village called Sinaycocha, a defense ministry official said.
The recent clashes between the army and the rebels have been the fiercest of the year. Three army soldiers were killed in Wednesday’s failed rescue mission.
Soldiers have come under fire at least four times since last week, when the army launched a raid to catch Jorge Quispe, a leader of the Shining Path who the government says helps direct cocaine trafficking in the Ene and Apurimac River Valleys of Peru. The region is known as the VRAE.
Quispe remains on the run. Critics say President Alan Garcia must do more to stamp out the Shining Path or Peru will overtake Colombia as the world’s top cocaine producer. Coca is the raw material for making cocaine.
The Peruvian constitution prohibits Garcia from running for re-election in 2011. Politicians planning to make bids for the presidency already are using the government’s inability to seize control of the coca-growing region as a campaign issue.
‘RECOVERING OUR DEAD’
“The job of recovering our dead still remains, and we’ve already started work on that,” Defense Minister Rafael Rey said on local RPP radio.
Since the army started to send more troops to the VRAE in August 2008, 40 soldiers have been killed. The government has stated that it has killed only a handful of rebels.
Garcia has increased funding to try to wipe out the last of the Shining Path, which had largely collapsed after its leaders were captured by government forces in the early 1990s and now has become increasingly involved in the lucrative drug trade.
Peru has struggled to gain control over remote coca-growing regions, where rebels cultivate ties with communities where people see growing and processing coca as a way to get a small slice of the cocaine business and escape grinding poverty.
The government insists the trouble will not hurt foreign investment. Two big mining projects are located in or around the VRAE: Southern Copper’s (PCU.N) Los Chancas and Xstrata’s (XTA.L) Las Bambas.
Colombia, which gets billions on dollars in U.S. anti-drug aid, has stepped up coca eradication efforts. But Peruvian producers are filling the void, and the VRAE has become the densest and most productive coca-growing area in the world.
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Peru: demands grow for Amazon massacre truth commission
The United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination issued a formal recommendation Aug. 28 that the government of Peru open an “exhaustive, objective and impartial investigation, including indigenous represetatives” into the June 5 deadly violence that ensued when National Police troops broke up an indigenous road blockade at Devil’s Curve in Amazonas region—a bloody episode that the Peruvian press has dubbed the “Baguazo.” (24 Horas Libre, Lima, Aug. 29)
Two generals of the Peruvian National Police (PNP), Elias Muguruza and Javier Uribe, are facing an internal investigation before the PNP’s Disciplinary Tribunal for their role in the massacre. Uribe is denying responsibility, insisting that only his subordinate Muguruza was on the scene at Devil’s Curve. Records indicate that Uribe initially told the Tribunal that he had left the Bagua operation in the hands of Muguruza on the direct orders of then-Interior Minister Mercedes Cabanillas. However, the Lima daily La Republica reported that in an interview with the newspaper he “incredibly denied” ever having mentioned Cabanillas in his testimony. In highlighted quotes, the paper presented the following:
Uribe 1: “An order came from…Cabanillas that Gen. Muguruza should assume the operation (at Bagua).”
Uribe 2: “I deny categorically having mentioned Dr. Cabanillas. I never spoke with the minister.”
Muguruza for his own part insists he was only following Uribe’s orders. The Peruvian press is generally portraying a cover-up to protect Cabanillas. National Prosecutor Gladys Echaiz says she is considering criminal charges against the two generals. She has not broached an investigation of Cabanillas. (La Republica, Aug. 27)
The Tribunal has also announced findings that Muguruza and Uribe ignored an official warning issued by a Police Intelligence unit at Utcubamba that a “violent dispersal could result in the death or injury not only of police but also of residents” of the Bagua area
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18 fun Facts About Peru
Peru is located around the central portion of South America and is known as the basket of civilization for all of South America. Peru dates back into antiquity and is fun and interesting place to explore . Here are some fun facts about Peru that you may enjoy
1. Peru itself is one of the top twenty largest countries in the world and is populated by over 30 million people.
2. The country has a very diverse religious presence most are catholic, Greek Orthodox and Baptist.
3. The main language that is spoken in Peru is Spanish
4. The main source of employment in Peru is of manual labor trades such as mining and fishing. Trade is very important, because the country has a rich collection of natural resources that make it unique in South America.
5. The culture of Peru is one that is traditional Spanish but the native Indians of Peru have managed to keep their historic traditions alive and well and is seen throughout Peru.
6. Besides Brazil Peru is the only other country in south America currently to have a literate population above 90% their schooling system is second to none
7. The national health care system in Peru is also the best in South America most people can expect to have a long life well into their 70s.
8. The national sport of Peru is Football (Soccer)
9. The largest province in Peru is Lima
10. The art heritage of south America is located in Lima Peru with over 250000 ancient and modern art collections
11. Peru culture on cuisine is considered one of the most diverse in the world. In January 2004
12. Peru traditional Dances are native in origin, Some show the affect of christen influence on the natives of the country when missionaries stumbled through
13. Inca trail to machu picchuis one of the Top tourist destination in Peru
14. The country of Peru is bordered by 5 different countries
15. It is customary that all children attend a primary and secondary school or education.
16. Peru declared its regional independence from Spain in early eighteen hundreds
17. A lot of native Peruvians speak their original inherited language besides Spanish
18. The Capitol of Peru is Lima; it is one of the largest capitols in South America by population.
Peru is a very interesting country and these are only small 10 facts about it but to really experience the history and evolution of this prosperous people you will have to visit.
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Legends of Peru – Legend of the Ayar Brothers
This legend is about four Ayar brothers, Uchu, Manco, Cachi and Auca, created by Viracocha to rule the world, who lived in a cave in Tampu Tocco mountain close to the Pacaritambo, house of daybreaks, settlement 33km from Cusco.
The four brothers, with their wives, left the cave and went in search of a better land. The brothers lost no time getting rid of Cachi due to fear of his magic. Cachi was tricked to return to Pacaritambo where he was hastily trapped for eternity in the cave.
Several stops along the way, farming, working, and then continuing they came to Uchu should remain at Quirirmanta at the bottom of a hill. He was transformed into a renowned huaca named Huanacauri.
As the remaining siblings tried to get to the place of their journey they met with opposition from the natives. They were forced to return to Matagua. While there Manco ordered Auca to the place that he had thrown the magic cane and go populate the place. So obediently Auca flew there and as he set his feet down on the ground he was changed into stone, a sacred guanca.
After several years only one Ayar Manco with his wife Mama Ocllo finally reached the place where Cusco was built. It was him according to legend who was the forefather of the Inca dynasty, changing his name to Manco Capac.
Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo were children of the Sun, holding a civilising mission. As a result they were intermediaries between the Sun and man, emerging from the waters of lake Titicaca to teach the people about cultivation and irrigation of the land, and handicrafts. Mama Ocllo taught the women spinning, weaving and sewing. The tribe of Manco Capac was called Hanan Cuzco.
This central creation myth not only represents an Inca reworking of ancient Andean beliefs but also preserved Christian influence. Manco Capac was known as the god of the Sun and when he died at a very old age the Incas built the Temple of the Sun on the spot where he died.
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7 steps to Peruvian Cultural Immersion
Peru lies in the west of South America, bordered by Ecuador, Columbia, Brazil, Boliva and Chile, with the Pacific Ocean on the west. You will find that immersing yourself in the culture of Peru is an experience not to miss, being one of the most diverse of South America. This is added to by the natural isolation with the Andes mountains in the west and the Amazon River, travel on foot discouraged. The Peruvian culture has been preserved for thousands of years.
1. To truly immerse yourself in the Peruvian culture you need to experience the country’s past alongside the modern world today. The modern culture of Peru combines all of the best features of its ancient heritage well, giving you a good insight today of it’s past. The best way to start your immersion of Peru’s culture is to visit historical locations that can be found around Peru. You can visit the various ruins, Pisac Ruins and Ollantaytambo’s Fortress Ruins, to get a feel for the culture of the Incan empire. This is a good point to start your immersion into Peru’s culture.
2. A second way to continue with your Peruvian cultural immersion is to look around for and experience the natural preserves that can be found around Peru. Embrace the natural beauty of the historical sanctuaries which protect places containing relevant natural value with a special meaning such as very important historical facts. At the same time with the focus on ecotourism, reducing the impact on the natural environment, alongside ethical tourism concentrating on ways to preserve local economies and communities, Peru is an ecotourism paradise. You can come to appreciate the environment better, finding out how the indigenous people interact with different parts of their environment.
3. Continuing your immersion in the Peruvian culture it must be remembered that nature and history are only a starting point. By now you will be hungry and with food the next stop on your agenda it is important to note Peru has a varied cuisine. With a combination of European and American, as well as Moorish, African and Chinese culinary traditions all playing a part, there was an influence it the development of a Creole cuisine. In the larger towns you will find a better variety of types of food with various restaurants selling locally produced food. It is an excellent way to taste the cuisine within Peru.
4. Peru has two main seasons so to travel there the peak season (dry) is June till August. It is the best but busiest time to visit. The wettest months of December to March make it a very wet and muddy place to visit, though many of the fiestas happen during the wettest months and go on regardless as the rain never lasts more than a few hours at a time. You can immerse yourself in the Peruvian fiestas and festivals as they have 3,000 in all, such as La Virgen de la Candelaria, Carnaval and Semana Santa. These holidays, a mixture of Christian and pagan festivals, will show you the blend of Christianity and the ancient beliefs, immersing you further into their diverse culture.
5. As in the past communities of Peru today gather in the main areas of the towns, the plazas, where the life of the town will be seen as active and bustling. If you wish to walk downtown in Lima then do so carefully, but here you will be surrounded by smells as powerful as the visual onslaught of the colour splashed bazaars of hawkers offering all necessities tax free. Here you will see a raw down to earth culture, take in the smells and tastes.
6. Another way of immersing yourself in the culture of Peru is by meeting people, talking to them about their lives. The local markets and shops are ideal places to begin. You will meet local artisans in their shops or in the main plazas of the towns, learn about their families and their ancient traditions up close. This is a great way to relax and unwind as well as being an ideal time to mingle in an unstressed atmosphere.
7. A final way to immerse yourself in Peruvian culture is to volunteer in one of the many programs from around the world involved in fighting poverty, the lack of education and health services. Nongovernment Organisations run these programs, at varying lengths to help those in need due to economic difficulties. It is a great opportunity for you to experience first hand Peru as tourists very rarely ever get the chance, truly immersing yourself in the culture of the country.
These steps are a way to immerse yourself in the culture of Peru. As with any foreign country you will in this way see the world of the Peruvians as through their eyes. You will see Peru from an inside viewpoint. When planning a visit plan your itinery and make the most of your time there. Following these guidelines will help you make your trip to Peru unforgettable.
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