Indigenous Wampis are ambushed in Peru after government backs out of anti-mining joint patrol
The 60-member mission was ambushed and shot at as they were patrolling near the Wampis community of Fortaleza on Saturday, just days after the Peruvian government's sudden withdrawal from a planned joint enforcement operation to confront the illegal mining.
No one was hurt in the attack.
For two years, the Wampis Nation has pressed state agencies and the public prosecutor's office in Peru to work together to monitor for and remove illegal mining operations from the Santiago River basin.
Days before a scheduled joint operation, government agencies pulled out without explanation, according to Amazon Watch, a U.S.-based environmental and Indigenous rights nonprofit.
In response, the Wampis launched their own mission and its first patrol was attacked on Saturday.
Indigenous leaders say the incident highlights the growing risks faced by land defenders and the government's failure to uphold its promises.
A Wampis official described the attack to The Associated Press. The around 60 Indigenous leaders, community guards and technicians were tasked with monitoring the environmental impacts of illegal gold mining in the Bajo Rio Santiago region.
'People started throwing explosives — I don't even know what kind they were — and then came the gunfire,' said Evaristo Pujupat Shirap, 45, communications officer for the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampis Nation.
'Bullets hit the vehicle and even pierced a teacher's jacket at chest level,' Shirap added.
The Peruvian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Members on the Wampis mission were armed with hunting rifles, but according to Shirap, leaders had instructed the group not to fire under any circumstances.
While they did fire a few warning shots into the air, no direct confrontation took place, Shirap added.
'We will not stand by while our rivers are poisoned and our forests destroyed,' said Galois Yampis, vice president of the Wampis government.
Peru's 'government failed to honor its commitments, so we are acting to defend our territory and the future of our people,' he added.
The Indigenous Wampis territorial guards are community-led environmental defenders trained and organized by the autonomous territorial government of the Wampis Nation.
Their aim is to protect Wampis ancestral lands from illegal activities such as mining, logging, and drug trafficking, while upholding their cultural values and vision of Tarimat Pujut — a life in harmony with nature.
Raphael Hoetmer, Amazon program director at Amazon Watch, a longtime ally of the Wampis, said they only confront violent criminals — 'yet are left to face danger without state protection.'
The Wampis Nation has long been urging Peru and gold-importing nations to strengthen enforcement against illegal gold trade and invest in Indigenous-led territorial monitoring and sustainable development.
___
The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
6 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
How to watch 'Ted Bundy: Dialogue with the Devil' online from anywhere
It takes one to know one. That was the notion behind Green River Task Force members Robert Keppel and Dave Reichert accepting Ted Bundy's offer to help them unmask the Green River Killer. Although some of his insights ultimately proved useful, this was no selfless act. Setting foot inside Gary Ridgway's shoes gave Bundy license to unpack his own psychology. Here's how to watch "Ted Bundy: Dialogue with the Devil" from anywhere with a VPN. "Ted Bundy: Dialogue with the Devil" premieres on Thursday, August 7 in the U.S..• U.S. — Hulu / Disney Plus Bundle• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN risk-free "He gets off by going back to the sites and molesting corpses," Bundy deliberates in one of his many interviews with Keppel and Reichert, who used Bundy's insights to build a psychological profile of Ridgway. "There is a certain aspect of possessiveness, where the corpse could easily be as important as the live victim. Again, this is just impressions." Bundy had previously told reporters Stephen Michaud and Hugh Aynesworth that it was the sense of possession — of both a physical body and a life — that gave him the utmost satisfaction. The six-part docuseries was guided by 12 hours of unreleased tapes and Bill Birnes, who co-authored the book 'The Riverman: Ted Bundy and I Hunt for the Green River Killer' with Keppel, who died in 2021. Read on to see how you can watch "Ted Bundy: Dialogue with the Devil" from anywhere in the world. If "Ted Bundy: Dialogue with the Devil" isn't streaming where you are, that doesn't mean you have to miss out. With the right VPN (virtual private network), you can stream the docuseries from virtually anywhere. We've tested many options, and the best VPN you can get right now is NordVPN. It offers impressive connection speeds and compatibility with most devices. You can try it risk-free for 30 days if you take advantage of NordVPN's no-quibble money-back guarantee. NordVPN deal: FREE $50 / £50 Amazon gift card Boasting lightning fast speeds, great features, streaming power, and class-leading security, NordVPN is our #1 VPN. ✅ FREE Amazon gift card worth up to $50/£50✅ 4 months extra FREE!✅ 76% off usual price Use Nord to unblock Hulu and watch "Ted Bundy: Dialogue with the Devil" online with our exclusive deal. Using a VPN is incredibly simple. 1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite. 2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're visiting the U.K. and want to view a U.S. service, you'd select a U.S. server from the location list. 3. Sit back and enjoy the show. Head to your streaming service app — Hulu, for example — and watch "Ted Bundy: Dialogue with the Devil" online from wherever you are in the world. All six episodes of "Ted Bundy: Dialogue with the Devil" will be available to stream on Hulu from Thursday, August 7 in the U.S.. Plans start from $7.99/month, and new users can get their first 30 days absolutely free. You can subscribe to Hulu on its own or, for even better value, you can opt for the Disney Plus bundle. The package gets you access to the entire Hulu and Disney Plus catalogs from only $10.99/month. Or you can add live sport with ESPN Plus for only six bucks more. And for anybody in the market for a full on cable replacement, all Hulu shows are included in the provider's Hulu + Live TV package. Prices start from $82.99/month, giving you access to more than 70 premium channels, together with content from Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+. There's no word on an international release for "Ted Bundy: Dialogue with the Devil" at the time of writing, but the docuseries will almost certainly stream on Disney Plus in territories outside the U.S. very soon. Come back here for details. The Disney Plus price starts from CA$7.99/£7.99/AU$13.99/month. We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Newsweek
9 hours ago
- Newsweek
Jeff Bezos' Dream of Amazon Drone Deliveries Gets Huge Boost
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. government unveiled proposals Tuesday to make it easier to use drones over longer distances, in a potentially significant boost for companies such as Amazon which hope to fly packages to customers' doors. The drone industry has long-pressed for the change to existing rules which require companies to obtain a waiver when operating drones beyond the "visual line of sight" In announcing the new proposed rule change, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, said the Trump administration was "unleashing American drone dominance" with the U.S. leading the way in the future of technology, instead of China. Amazon's public policy team said on X that it was "looking forward" to reviewing the proposal. Newsweek has approached Amazon for further comment via email outside of working hours. Why it Matters Drones are already used in a variety of ways in the U.S. including bolstering search and rescue operations, applying fertilizer, inspecting power lines and railroad bridges, and even delivering packages. The federal government had already approved 657 waivers to allow companies to use drones out of sight, including Amazon in College Station, Texas, as it develops the technology. The Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) rule would make it easier for firms to get approval to use drones in this way. Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO, speaks at The Economic Club of Washington's Milestone Celebration in Washington. Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO, speaks at The Economic Club of Washington's Milestone Celebration in Washington. AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File/AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File The move comes more than a decade after Jeff Bezos first unveiled Amazon's plans for "Prime Air" delivery drones that would deliver packages directly to customer's doors 30 minutes after they clicked order. The move has been welcomed by the industry. Yariv Bash, co-founder and CEO of Flytrex, a Tel Aviv-based drone delivery company that has operations in Texas and North Carolina, called the proposed rule "a foundational milestone that paves the way for drone delivery to scale across more communities in the U.S." But the rollout of the technology has not been without problems. In January, Amazon suspended all commercial drone activity in College Station and Tolleson, Arizona, for two months to update the software of its MK30 drones after two crashed in testing, Bloomberg reported. Amazon had upgraded to the MK30 drones after complaints over noise in College Station, that prompted Mayor John Nichols to write to the FAA. What To Know Under the rule, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would allow drone operators to conduct out-of-sight flights at altitudes below 400 feet, eliminating the need for companies to seek individual waivers for these operations. Previously, businesses faced a burdensome approval process that industry groups said was stifling innovation. The new proposal streamlines this process, requiring drones to have collision-avoidance software and capping their total weight, including payload, at 1,320 pounds The proposed regulation prohibits drone flights over large public gatherings and maintains robust input from the Department of Homeland Security to address evolving security challenges, including terrorism and espionage risks. Drone operators would be required to obtain certification and pass background checks before conducting BVLOS operations. What People Are Saying Transportation Secretary Duffy, said: "We are making the future of our aviation a reality and unleashing American drone dominance. From drones delivering medicine to unmanned aircraft surveying crops, this technology will fundamentally change the way we interact with the world. Our new rule will reform outdated regulations that were holding innovators back while also enhancing safety in our skies. Thanks to President Trump, America, not China, will lead the way in this exciting new technology" FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said: "Normalizing BVLOS flights is key to realizing drones' societal and economic benefits. Package delivery, agriculture, aerial surveying, public safety, recreation, and flight testing are just some of the uses we expect to see as we enable these innovative technologies while maintaining the safety of our National Airspace System." Amazon's public policy team said on X: "We applaud the @WhiteHouse, @USDOT, @FAANewsand Congress for their continued leadership in advancing a framework that supports safe, scalable drone operations like @Amazon's Prime Air drone delivery. We look forward to reviewing the FAA's proposed rule that is meant to enable routine, safe operations of drones beyond visual line of sight and to participating in this important rulemaking." Michael Robbins, President & CEO of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, said: "This draft rule is a critical step toward enabling drone operations that will enhance safety, transform commercial services, and strengthen public safety with drones as a force multiplier." Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said: "Today's NPRM is a bold, forward-looking step that helps unlock the full potential of BVLOS drone operations, transforming how we monitor infrastructure, deliver critical supplies, advance precision agriculture, and speed up emergency response. Under President Trump's leadership, we are giving innovators a predictable, scalable pathway to conduct BVLOS missions, to ensure that the United States remains the global leader in drone technology." Yariv Bash, Flytrex CEO, said, "This rule is a critical step toward unlocking the full potential of drone delivery and ensuring its long-term business viability nationwide." What Happens Next The FAA opened the public comment period for the BVLOS rule, which will remain available for 60 days. This article includes reporting from Associated Press.
Associated Press
13 hours ago
- Associated Press
New Jersey's Save LBI Petitions Trump Administration to Rescind Permits and Cancel Leases for Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Projects
LONG BEACH ISLAND, N.J., Aug. 5, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Save Long Beach Island (Save LBI), a grass-roots organization with more than 10,000 supporters dedicated to sound energy policies and preserving our shore and ocean environment, has formally petitioned the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to cancel the leases for the Atlantic Shores South and North offshore wind projects and rescind existing permit approvals. Save LBI has long opposed both Atlantic Shores projects, which portend a number of devastating environmental, social, and economic consequences for New Jersey coastal communities. Project plans call for erecting 357 thousand-foot-tall wind turbines less than 9 miles off the coast of Atlantic City and Long Beach Island, closer to shore than any large offshore wind project in the world. To name but a few of the many adverse impacts, these projects would: FLAWED FROM THE START Save LBI has contended throughout the approval process and in subsequent litigation that the permits issued to the Atlantic Shores South (OCS-A 0499) and North (OCS-A 0549) projects are seriously flawed. The actual impacts of these projects were misrepresented, systematically underestimated, and not fully disclosed. 'The root cause of the many harmful impacts of the Atlantic Shores projects is their uniquely bad location,' explained Save LBI president and co-founder Bob Stern. 'Location is the most critical factor in the entire decision-making process, yet it received little attention many years ago when a DEP-led task force approved those sites without full and proper vetting or public input.' The record shows that many of the negative consequences Save LBI and others have been publicly denouncing for years were not even considered. 'Project modifications cannot cure the uniquely bad siting of these projects, which is why the Atlantic Shores South and North lease areas must be cancelled,' Stern concluded. The Save LBI petition also reminds DOI Secretary Douglas Burgum of the urgent need to: The Save LBI petition (available at ) reviews the official criteria for lease cancellation and illustrates how the criteria are met, and how 11 of the 12 legal requirements for such leases are not met. Finally, the petition summarizes more than two decades of incorrect assumptions, mistakes, and process failures in selecting and approving the lease areas. Save LBI believes that these lease areas should not have been approved in the first place, and that if that process is ever started again there is no rational way these leases would be deemed acceptable. About Save LBI Save LBI is a not-for profit, non-partisan organization that has been active in ongoing litigation and other efforts to protect the coastal and marine environment from the senseless industrialization of our oceans. The organization is led by Beach Haven, N.J. resident Bob Stern, a Ph.D. scientist with experience in environmental planning and environmental law. He is a former manager of the U.S. Department of Energy office responsible for overseeing environmental protection related to energy projects and the Bureau of Air Quality Planning within the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). For more information on Save LBI and its efforts, please visit Contact: For more information click here: Link (Save LBI Lease Cancellation Petition): IMAGE LINKS FOR MEDIA: IMAGE 1: IMAGE CAPTION 1: Atlantic Shores South (blue/orange) and North (outline) lease areas off the coast of Atlantic City and Long Beach Island, NJ. Source: NOAA Fisheries. IMAGE 2: IMAGE CAPTION 2: Visual simulation of what the Atlantic Shores South project would look from Holgate on Long Beach Island, NJ. Source: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). NEWS SOURCE: Save Long Beach Island (Save LBI) Keywords: Environment and Ecology, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Projects, Environmental, Offshore Wind, Renewable Energy, Clean Energy, LONG BEACH ISLAND, N.J. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Save Long Beach Island (Save LBI)) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P128255 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
