Peru court sentences four men for 2023 murder of indigenous leader Quinto Inuma Alvarado

A Peruvian court has sentenced four men to prison terms ranging from 15 to 35 years for the 2023 murder of indigenous leader Quinto Inuma Alvarado. The ruling by the Superior National Court's Third Collegiate Penal Court comes despite state-provided protection measures for Alvarado, who had been threatened by illegal logging mafias. Genix Saboya Saboya and Limber Ríos Ruíz received the longest sentences of 35 years, while Segundo Villalobos Guevara was sentenced to 28 years, and Jerrly Saboya Saboya to 15 years. Inuma, a leader of the Santa Rosillo native community in the San Martín region, was known for his work defending his territory and the environment. The prosecution, led by the Third Specialized Prosecutor's Office against Organized Crime, charged the men with contract killing. Prosecutors stated that the convicted men planned and executed Inuma's murder because he opposed their illegal activities, including deforestation and drug trafficking. Inuma had filed numerous complaints against the accused to prevent environmental destruction. The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights had previously recognized him as a human rights defender and activated an early warning system due to threats against his life. Despite these measures, Inuma was killed while traveling by boat on the Yanayacu River on November 29, 2023. The attack also injured other passengers. This verdict comes as indigenous organizations report the recent murder of another community leader in the Ucayali region, underscoring the persistent violence faced by environmental defenders in the Peruvian Amazon.