Attack Against Vicarate Of Environment In Jaen, Cajamarca

Attack Against Vicarate of Environment in Jaen, Cajamarca

Peru

4th February 2007

On Saturday February 3, unidentified subjects upon a motorcycle fired shots at Vicarate of the Environment, Mr. Nicanor Alvarado Carrasco, in the locality of Jaen, Cajamarca in Peru. It should be noted that this is the same area where Chito Rios is operating, a person who has been investigated for being a member of the Commando Rodgrio Franco.

Nicanor Alvarado is a recognized lay Catholic who has recently been the subject of several charges and threats for his work in defending environmental rights in Jaen and San Ignacio, locations threatened by the activities of Minera Majaz and the illegal foresters who are operating with impunity in the area.

The climate of violence related to the mining and forestry is spreading throughout the region, and is growing even more while the administration of justice is paralyzed, favoring the interests of powerful transnational mining groups. This is the case currently occurring in Cajamarca, with intimidations against environmental leaders in Cajamarca.

In solidarity with the Vicarate of the Environment of Jaen and in repudiation of this act of intimidation against Nicanor Alvarado, we diffuse this news.

P. Marco Arana Zegarra
GRUFIDES