19 November 2010
Source: Franch24
After leading a bloody native uprising last year that convulsed Peru, Alberto Pizango on Thursday announced he will run in the April 2011 presidential election representing the country's indigenous groups.
With the support of all apus -- tribal leaders in Peru's Amazon region -- Pizango, 45, took a solemn oath to uphold indigenous rights as a member of the Alliance for the Alternative of Humanity party.
"I swear by the spirits of our ancestors and the peoples of the Amazon, Andean and coastal regions to transform Peru into a multi-nation state and to stop the destruction of mother earth by the consumer-based western civilization," said Pizango.
To seal his appointment as Peru's indigenous presidential candidate, the chiefs awarded Pizango the "maskaipacha" headband, the traditional Inca symbol of authority.
Then representatives of the Amazon jungle Shipibo community hung a medallion of a "radiant Sun," representing Peru's ancient civilizations, around his neck.
At the ceremony, dozens of indigenous people from around the country chanted: "Pizango for president! Pizango for President!"
In June 2009 Pizango headed a protest strike of indigenous people in the northeastern city of Bagua that led to violent clashes with police in which 34 people were killed, including 24 police officers.
The protest against encroachment in native territories of mining and oil companies caused a political crisis in Peru and the resignation of then prime minister Yehude Simon.