Amazon Guardians: Indigenous People Fight Back Against Drug Growers

The Kakataibo Indigenous Guard

Deep in the Amazon, a group of Indigenous people are on a mission. They are the Kakataibo Indigenous Guard. Their job is to find and stop illegal coca plantations on their land. Coca is used to make cocaine. The Guard uses spears, machetes, and even bows and arrows to protect their home.

The Amazon: A Vast and Dangerous Place

The Amazon is a big place. It's bigger than Texas. It's also home to some of the last Indigenous hunter-gatherers. These people live far away from the modern world. But now, their home is in danger. Coca plantations are growing fast. In Peru, the number of coca fields has almost doubled in ten years. This means more cocaine is being made. And more people are getting hurt.

The High Price of Resistance

The Kakataibo people are paying a high price for this. In recent years, about 20 Indigenous leaders have been killed. They were murdered for speaking out against drug traffickers and illegal loggers. The traffickers and loggers often work together. They bring corruption, deforestation, and violence.

A Remote and Isolated Battle

The Kakataibo Guard found two coca fields in a remote part of the Amazon. This area is a government reserve for the last Kakataibo families living in isolation. These families have chosen to live deep in the jungle. They want to avoid outsiders. But now, even they are in danger.

The Guard's Mission

The Guard uses drones to find the coca fields. They report the fields to the authorities. But the Guard is also in danger. The leader of the Guard, Segundo Pino, has received death threats. He says the Guard has to protect themselves. They have no choice.

A Tough Battle

The Kakataibo Guard is fighting a tough battle. They are up against powerful drug traffickers. And they are doing it with limited resources. But they are determined to protect their home and their way of life.