Indigenous leader reported killed in Peruvian Amazon is found alive

Indigenous leader Americo Pascual, a 57-year-old member of the Asheninka community in the Peruvian Amazon, has been confirmed alive after reports of his death were circulated. The ORAU, a collective of approximately 20 indigenous organizations in the Ucayali region, initially announced on August 26, 2026, that Pascual had been fatally shot by individuals collecting copaiba resin on his community's land. The Peruvian Ministry of Culture had also issued a statement condemning the alleged killing of the activist, who has been vocal against illegal land incursions since 2020.

Following the initial reports, the narrative was corrected after a video surfaced on Peruvian public television showing Pascual in his home. In the footage, the leader directly addressed the reports, stating he was alive and safe with his family. The ORAU subsequently retracted its previous announcement and confirmed that the leader was unharmed. The incident occurred in the remote Yurua area, near the border with Brazil, a region historically known for tensions and violent conflicts regarding indigenous land rights.