Protesting coca growers paralyze Peruvian power plant, demand end to crop eradication

Peru coca growers paralyze power plant

LIMA, Peru — Hundreds of coca growers in Peru have seized control of a thermoelectric plant in the country’s interior, cutting off electricity to the estimated 430,000 people who live in Ucayali province.

The provincial governor and the plant’s director of operations reported Sunday’s takeover of the facility at Aguaytia in interviews with the radio station Radioprogramas.

The growers also have blocked a main highway by disabling dozens of buses and trucks.

The so-called “cocaleros” have been protesting for more than a week against government eradication of their crop, which is the base for making cocaine. Peru is the world’s No. 2 coca producer after Colombia.