Indigenous Guards Take on Coca Cartels in Peru's Amazon

Members of the Kakataibo Indigenous Guard have taken on the task of patrolling their ancestral territory in the Peruvian Amazon to combat the cultivation of coca, the key ingredient in cocaine. The group, comprised of Indigenous villagers, has been actively searching for illicit plantations of the Andean crop, which they believe brings trouble and death to their community and the forest. The mission of the Kakataibo Indigenous Guard is to protect their land from the devastating effects of coca cultivation, which has been booming in Peru, the world's second-largest producer of cocaine. According to the group, the cultivation of coca not only leads to deforestation but also contributes to violence and bloodshed in their region. "We don't want it here," said a member of the group, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals from the drug traffickers. "Coca just brings trouble. It means death, for us and the forest." The Kakataibo Indigenous Guard has been working tirelessly to identify and dismantle coca plantations on their land. They patrol their territory, armed with spears, machetes, traditional bows and arrows, and in some cases, ancient shotguns. Their efforts are aimed at preventing the cultivation of coca, which they believe is a threat to their way of life and the preservation of their ancestral territory. The cultivation of coca in the Peruvian Amazon has been a long-standing issue, with the crop being a major source of income for many farmers. However, the Kakataibo Indigenous Guard believes that the benefits of coca cultivation do not outweigh the costs, which include deforestation, violence, and bloodshed. "We have no choice," said another member of the group. "We must protect our land and our way of life." The Kakataibo Indigenous Guard is not alone in their efforts to combat coca cultivation. The Peruvian government has implemented various initiatives to address the issue, including the establishment of protected areas and the deployment of security forces to combat drug trafficking. However, the group believes that more needs to be done to address the root causes of coca cultivation and to support the development of alternative crops. The Kakataibo Indigenous Guard's efforts have been met with both praise and criticism. While some have commended their bravery and determination, others have criticized their methods, which some have described as vigilantism. However, the group remains committed to their mission, believing that their actions are necessary to protect their land and their way of life. As the situation in the Peruvian Amazon continues to unfold, the Kakataibo Indigenous Guard remains at the forefront of the efforts to combat coca cultivation. Their determination and bravery serve as a testament to the importance of community-led initiatives in addressing complex social and environmental issues.