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Peru declares emergency in south | Peru declares emergency in south |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The Prime Minister of Peru, Yehude Simon, says he will not negotiate with authorities in the southern Tacna region while violent protests continue. | The Prime Minister of Peru, Yehude Simon, says he will not negotiate with authorities in the southern Tacna region while violent protests continue. |
Mr Simon has declared a state of emergency after reports that three people have been killed and dozens injured in protests over the past week. | Mr Simon has declared a state of emergency after reports that three people have been killed and dozens injured in protests over the past week. |
The demonstrations were sparked by a new legislation approved by Congress. | The demonstrations were sparked by a new legislation approved by Congress. |
The bill cuts the amount of mining tax revenues given to Tacna, in favour of neighbouring region Moquegua. | The bill cuts the amount of mining tax revenues given to Tacna, in favour of neighbouring region Moquegua. |
President Alan Garcia is expected to sign the bill into law. | President Alan Garcia is expected to sign the bill into law. |
The law has been controversial in the south of Peru, where most of the mines are run by Southern Copper, one of the world's largest mining companies. | The law has been controversial in the south of Peru, where most of the mines are run by Southern Copper, one of the world's largest mining companies. |
Clashes | Clashes |
The violent protests started last Thursday when 4,000 demonstrators clashed with police and set fire to a government building leaving 39 people and 27 police injured. Tacna has seen a week of protests | |
The government has sent the army to rein in protests and police have arrested 52 protestors. | The government has sent the army to rein in protests and police have arrested 52 protestors. |
The protests extended to the border area with Chile where 400 demonstrators blocked the Pan-American Highway and Chilean police arrested seven people. | The protests extended to the border area with Chile where 400 demonstrators blocked the Pan-American Highway and Chilean police arrested seven people. |
Peru's mining sector is capitalising on high metals prices, driven by demand from China and India. | Peru's mining sector is capitalising on high metals prices, driven by demand from China and India. |
But the export-based economy largely benefits the main cities on the coast while in the Andean and Amazon interior many people still live in poverty. | But the export-based economy largely benefits the main cities on the coast while in the Andean and Amazon interior many people still live in poverty. |
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