Violence erupted in the Peruvian Amazonia earlier this month, when thousands of indigenous people, protesting against legislation that would open up the country’s rainforest to logging, gas and oil contractors, were met by a poorly planned police response. During the events that ensued hundreds of indigenous protesters were killed or injured, and thousands displaced. At least 23 police officers also died.

In this article, Enrique Mendizabal explains why this political problem requires a political solution.