By Franklin Briceno and Frank Bajak
Tarapoto, Peru, (AP)
The Aguaruna Indians have a well-earned reputation as warriors. In pre-Columbian times they successfully resisted Inca subjugation. And during Peru’s 1995 border war with Ecuador, they served as guides for the army.
Those who know them weren’t surprised, then, at the fierce resistance – 23 officers were killed – and at least an equal number of Aguaruna when President Alan Garcia’s government sent heavily armed police to clear several thousand Aguaruna and their Wampi cousins from an Amazon highway blockade.
Tarapoto, Peru, (AP)
The Aguaruna Indians have a well-earned reputation as warriors. In pre-Columbian times they successfully resisted Inca subjugation. And during Peru’s 1995 border war with Ecuador, they served as guides for the army.
Those who know them weren’t surprised, then, at the fierce resistance – 23 officers were killed – and at least an equal number of Aguaruna when President Alan Garcia’s government sent heavily armed police to clear several thousand Aguaruna and their Wampi cousins from an Amazon highway blockade.