Indigenous Tribe In Peru Releases Hostages After Negotiations

Petroperus ruptured pipeline spilled crude into a tributary of the Amazon river.

An oil spill in February led to Mayuriaga villagers taking control of a government helicopter and holding officials hostage

An indigenous village in the Peruvian Amazon freed public officials it had been holding hostage to press for help after a ruptured pipeline spilled 1,000 barrels of crude on its lands, the state-owned energy company Petroperu said.

Petroperu, which operates the pipeline, struck a deal with Wampis tribe chiefs from Mayuriaga village, that includes bringing electrical and telephone coverage to the community and helping develop local businesses, the company said in a statement.

Mayuriaga villagers had seized a grounded military helicopter on Sunday and was holding its crew and officials of Petroperu and government agencies to demand inclusion in an emergency response plan.

The spill in Mayuriaga on February 3 followed a similar leak in Petroperu’s pipeline that released 2,000 barrels…