On June 5th 2009 the biggest protest by Amazonian indians in Peru in over 250 years was dealt with dealt with in a manner that left over 30 people dead and more than 170 injured.

The protest was against the opening up of forest land to oil and gas companies that was destroying habitat and the livlihoods of local indigenous tribes. The protest turnied in a one of the most bloody uprising with 23 police dead, 5 local civilians dead and 5 indigenous tribes people dead.

There is an increasing hostility by the Peruvian government towards local tribes people which has reslutd in radio stations being closed down, gongress members being suspended from government and local organisations being clamoed down on.

Alberto Pizango - the president of Peru's Amazon Indian organisation has had to seek asylum in Nicaragua.

Over the last few years over 70% of virgin Peruvian Amazon has been parcelled up and handad to goas and oil exploration companies to develop. Nearby Ecuador has had a similar scheme in place previously which has lead to major pollution and health problems when large scale finds have been exploited.