The Stream

Martial law targets Peruvians protesting Chinese mine

Government response to deadly protests riles Peruvians as farmers demand protections in copper project.

Peruvians online are lambasting the government and the media over their handling of a deadly clash between police and farmers protesting a mining project in the south. Frustration spilled onto Twitter and Facebook as the government declared martial law in two southern regions on Tuesday following the deaths of at least three local residents. At least 22 people were injured as police used tear gas and force to quell protests against a Chinese-owned mining project farmers say will pollute their irrigation water.

Using #LasBambas, the name of the mining project, many shared pictures of the protests by mostly Quechua-speaking highlanders: