(IPYS/IFEX) – On the morning of 4 January 2005, Elmer Valdivieso, a camera operator for Channel 4 television station’s “América Noticias” news programme, was attacked by a crowd in the city of Andahuaylas, southeastern Peru. At the time of the incident, Valdivieso was reporting on a showdown between the security forces and approximately 150 members […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On the morning of 4 January 2005, Elmer Valdivieso, a camera operator for Channel 4 television station’s “América Noticias” news programme, was attacked by a crowd in the city of Andahuaylas, southeastern Peru. At the time of the incident, Valdivieso was reporting on a showdown between the security forces and approximately 150 members of the Movimiento Etnocacerista political movement, who took over a police station on 1 January, killing four police officers and taking 20 hostages.
According to his colleague, reporter David Vidal, Valdivieso was assaulted by supporters of the movement’s leader, retired major Antauro Humala. There appear to be conflicts among the insurgents as not all of them have been willing to give up their arms despite Humala’s arrest on the morning of 4 January.
Valdivieso was struck by a rock at the level of his right eye. He was taken to the Andahuaylas health centre for treatment.
Press, radio and television journalists reporting on the situation have been harassed on several occasions by local residents, who have yelled at them, calling them “pro-Chilean, sensationalist reporters”, and told them to leave Andahuaylas.
