Peruvian workers in the Arequipa region started a 72-hour general strike on Tuesday in protest against the Tia Maria mine. Unions organizing teachers, construction workers and shanty-town dwellers are all participate in the strike, and protesters are blocking the main roads in and out of the main cities in Arequipa. Businesses have closed doors, schools have canceled classes, and many university students are joining the protests. On Saturday the government sent in the army to patrol key positions like bridges, tunnels and gas stations. Yesterday an all-women protest was dispersed with teargas in Cocachacra. The heavily armed troops are slated to stay in the area until June 7th. Rael Mora reports from Lima for teleSUR.
