Peru: Police Kill 2 and Injure 10 in Protests Against Copper Mine

Protests have resurged in the Arequipa region of Peru over the proposed Tía María copper mine. In the early morning hours two protesters were killed and 10 injured in clashes with the police. The protests have been going on for 44 days straight. Clashes on Sunday left 20 civilians and 15 police officers injured after authorities continued to clear roads blocked by demonstrators opposing the Southern Copper Corporation and its mining project. Most demonstrators are local farmers from the Tambo Valley who do not trust the company and want to prevent environmental damage that hinders agriculture. During elections President Ollanta Humala said he would respect farmer demands, but analysts say that he is responding to pressure from business elites who favor extractive industries as the sole growth motor. Observers also note that the police have used bullets and teargas to repress demonstrators and that on Monday, 3,000 police were deployed. Clashes are expected to continue. Rael Mora reports from Lima for teleSUR.