Foreigners on Peru boat freed after pollution protest

An indigenous community in the Amazon has released the passengers of a boat a day after being intercepted with twenty-three foreign tourists and 75 Peruvian people. Captors took the measure in protest against oil pollution in the area after to two oil spills by state-owned Petroperu, and a lack of attention from the state.

An Indigenous leader in Peru's Amazon region said Friday that his community had released 98 riverboat passengers who had been detained overnight. Including citizens of Germany, Great Britain, Spain and France as well as Peru, set off along the Maranon River at 1:45 p.m. local time aboard the vessel Eduardo 11, which had been held since the day before by residents of Cuninico. The people of Cuninico would continue protests  and blocking the passage of boats — until the government gives them concrete help.