Journalists from a local Peruvian newspaper received death threats after publishing an article recommending dialogue to solve an on-going conflict over the proposed gold-and-copper Conga mining project in the northwestern Cajamarca, reported the Press and Society Institute (IPYS in Spanish).
Editor Jaime Abanto Padilla, Director Armando Loli, and journalists Pedro Aliaga and Alberto Moreno of the newspaper Panorama Cajamarquino received threatening phone calls on Dec. 3, reported IPYS. An administrator for the newspaper also received a threatening note on the door of her home.
"In light of this disturbing situation, the Panorama group has decided to offer some of our staff a leave of absence to guard their well-being," the publication announced.
The Peruvian government has declared a state of emergency in the province of Cajamarca, where protests against U.S. investment in the gold mine have escalated to road blocks and clashes with police, reported the Associated Press. Several journalists have been attacked covering the conflict.
