Nicaragua grants asylum,to Peruvian indigenous leader

Tim Rogers reports for Tico Times:

The government of Nicaragua has granted political asylum to Peruvian indigenous leader Alberto Pizango, who is wanted in Peru on charges of inciting violent protests over oil exploration rights in the Amazon.

Pizango is charged with sedition after allegedly leading an indigenous group in protest over Amazon land usage rights. The protests turned violent last weekend when police tried to break up a roadblock, resulting in more than 50 deaths, according to wire reports.

Pizango, who has been hiding in the Nicaraguan embassy in Lima since Monday, was granted asylum Tuesday by Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, according to Sandinista Front founder and Nicaraguan Ambassador to Peru Tomás Borge.

Borge, who is currently in Managua, told local media outlets that Pizango's case “has all the characteristics of a political issue” and is under review by the Organization of American States and Peruvian Congress.

“Our (only) alternative, taking into account the spirit of solidarity (Nicaraguan) President Daniel Ortega holds with those who supposedly (suffer) political persecution, is to offer political asylum to Alberto Pizango,” Borge said.

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