Reclusive tribe kills loggers accused of encroaching on their land

In a tragic event, two loggers lost their lives to bow and arrow attacks after reportedly encroaching on the territory of the uncontacted Mashco Piro Indigenous tribe in the heart of Peru’s Amazon, as reported by a local rights organization.

The organization, FENAMAD, advocates for the rights of Indigenous communities in Peru. It has raised concerns about escalating tensions between loggers and Indigenous tribes, emphasizing the urgent need for government protective measures.

According to FENAMAD, in addition to the two deceased, two other loggers are currently unaccounted for and one has sustained injuries. Rescue operations are reportedly in progress.

The incident occurred on August 29 in the Pariamanu River basin when loggers attempted to extend their paths further into the forest, inadvertently coming into contact with the reclusive tribe known for its fierce defense of their territory.

FENAMAD stated that the Peruvian government has failed to implement preventive measures to safeguard both the Indigenous people and the workers involved. The organization stressed that local authorities have not yet arrived at the incident site since the attack took place.

Tensions have been apparent for some time, as FENAMAD pointed out that this incident occurred just 15 miles from a previous attack in July, where the Mashco Piro tribe also targeted loggers. The rights group had previously alerted the government about the potential for increased violence, yet no subsequent action was taken.

Cesar Ipenza, an environmental law expert based in the Amazon, remarked on the escalating strife, stating, “It’s a heated and tense situation. Undoubtedly, every day there are more tensions between Indigenous peoples in isolation and the different activities that are within the territory that they ancestrally pass through.”

Previous encounters between loggers and Indigenous tribes have a documented history of violence. In 2022, an incident resulted in two loggers being shot with arrows during a fishing excursion, with one sustaining fatal injuries.

Further complicating matters, earlier this year, Peru eased restrictions on deforestation, a move criticized by various advocates as the “anti-forest law.” This policy change has facilitated increased deforestation for agricultural purposes, also making it easier for illegal logging and mining to proliferate.

Ipenza acknowledged some minimal response from local authorities, such as the mobilization of helicopters for rescue efforts, but criticized the limited commitment from Peru’s Ministry of Culture, the agency charged with protecting Indigenous peoples.

Officials from the Ministry of Culture did not provide an immediate response regarding the recent attack nor their ongoing efforts to protect these communities.

Interestingly, the attack coincided with the Forest Stewardship Council’s decision to temporarily suspend the sustainability certification of a logging company that rights groups allege has violated the land rights of the Indigenous group.

Julia Urrunaga, director of the Peru program at the Environmental Investigation Agency, expressed outrage at the situation. She stated, “It’s absurd that certifiers like the FSC continue to certify companies that blatantly violate basic human rights and Indigenous rights. It is tragic that people must die and that it takes an international scandal for there to be any action.”

In July, images surfaced showing the uncontacted Mashco Piro tribe foraging for food on a beach, raising alarms among experts who believe that logging activities are encroaching dangerously close to their territory. Survival International, an advocacy organization for Indigenous peoples, reported the presence of around 53 male tribe members at the beach, estimating that the total number of tribal members in the locale, including women and children, could range from 100 to 150.

A report released in 2023 by the United Nations’ special rapporteur on Indigenous rights indicated that the Peruvian government had acknowledged in 2016 the presence of the Mashco Piro and other isolated tribes using lands now open to logging. The report highlighted concerns regarding the overlap of these territories and noted that the areas used by Indigenous peoples have not been properly delineated despite evidence of their presence dating back to 1999.

In a related note, footage from 2018 depicted what was believed to be the last surviving member of an isolated tribe in the Brazilian Amazon, reflecting the ongoing struggles of these Indigenous communities against external pressures.