A defender of the environment, who fought against the deforestation of the Amazon forest in Peru, was found dead the day before Sunday, representatives of indigenous communities complained yesterday Monday, who spoke of “murder”.

Mariano Isacama, who was missing for 23 days and opposed to the cultivation of coca leaves – Peru is one of the main producers of them worldwide – was found dead on Sunday on the bank of the Yurac River, in the Aguaitia district of Ucayali province, 500 kilometers east of the capital. of Lima.

“Yesterday (ie the day before yesterday Sunday), our indigenous brother was found murdered, let’s be clear — murdered,” said Willie Pino, representative of the Confederation of Indigenous Communities of Katakaivo (FENACOKA), during a press conference.

“We ask once again that the authorities do the necessary investigations and clarify what happened (…) we need transparency,” added Hamer Lopez, of the Union of Tribes for the Development of the Peruvian Jungle.

The prosecutor’s office and the police announced that they are conducting an investigation into the case.

Willie Pino emphasized that the indigenous communities of the region decided to arm themselves to defend themselves against coca growers linked to drug trafficking.

“Since the state does not do its job, the Katakaivo nation will begin to defend itself,” he explained.

In December an indigenous leader, Benjamin Flores Rios, was assassinated in his home.

The cultivation of coca leaves for the production of cocaine and the illegal mining of minerals—causes of deforestation—expose indigenous peoples living in areas of the Amazon forest to the violence of thugs.

According to the numbers of the NGO Global Witness, at least 54 environmental defenders have been murdered in Peru since 2012. More than half of them belonged to indigenous populations.