The blockades, preceded by a march through the city, prevented passage on the route to the city of Nauta and responded to a call by the Patriotic Front of Loreto, region of which Iquitos is the capital.

Radio reports indicate that the route to the nearby town of Santo Tomás and points near the city’s airport were blocked.

They add that the airport continued to operate, under heavy police protection which also extends to the protection of the route to the city.

The protest demands the closing of the unpopular Congress of the Republic (opposition parliament) and the calling of a constituent assembly, which approved a law blocking a referendum on the calling of a constituent assembly.

The villagers also condemn the price hikes of food and fuel and request the presence of a delegation of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers to discuss their demands.

The president of the Patriotic Front of Loreto, Gener Culqui, said that the strike also demands new access routes to other provinces from Loreto and a solution to the problem of the constant power cuts.

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