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Cusco unions warn of strike ahead of Inti Raymi festival
Inti Raymi in 2011 (Photo: Andina/Archive)
By Manuel Vigo
June 6, 2012
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The Inti Raymi festival in Cusco could be affected by protests in the region.
Martha Quispe, head of Cusco’s Workers Federation, said the group was evaluating a regional strike, which would start a week before the Inti Raymi festival, El Comercio reported.
The group announced the proposal during a demonstration in Cusco, where about 3 thousand people gathered to demand the release of Oscar Mollohuanca, the mayor of Espinar, who was arrested in May after supporting protests against the Xstrata Tintaya mine.
Demonstrators also petitioned the central government to lift Espinar's state of emergency, and the suspension of the Xstrata Tintaya mine.
Meanwhile, local authorities also detained Hebert Huaman, head of Espinar’s Defense Front, after the protest, El Comercio reported.
The Inti Raymi festival, one of Peru’s most emblematic celebrations, is scheduled to take place on June 24, at the foot of the Sacsayhuamán ruins.
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COMMENTS:
Total coments: 3
Commented By: Claire
On: June 6, 2012. 9:28 pm
3 thousand protesters in the Cusco area isn't to be dismissed lightly. The mining issues are not going to go away, no matter who is "detained". Any informed individual knows what "detained" in Peru means and it's not a pretty picture. It's only going to get worse and the mining corporations should wake up to the fact that ALL Peruvians have a right to CLEAN drinking water - not just those living in posh neighbourhoods in the capital and it's a whole lot more important than is the Inti Raymi festival or copper/gold! When will you GET that you can't DRINK MONEY!
Commented By: harry61
On: June 7, 2012. 8:16 am
Thanks Claire for this comment. Yes, you can't drink money whether you can't eat it.
Commented By: AG
On: June 7, 2012. 10:27 am
No, you can't drink money, but you cannot develop education and healthcare programmes, or relieve poverty without money either. There is a lot of poverty in Peru (particularly places like Espinar), and Peru needs the money generated by mining. Obviously a balance needs to be found between mining activities and ensuring that the local populations benefit, rather than suffer from it, but being completely "anti-mining" is not a reasonable stance in this country.
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