Peru cracks down on illegal gold mining in Amazon reserve with military show of force

"This week is just the beginning of Operation Mercury 2 to remove all illegal gold miners from within Tambopata National Park and build a robust, long-term muti-agency presence to prevent their return," said Ronal Ramón Flores Ñañez, provisional deputy supreme prosecutor, who accompanied the military on the operation.

The skies above a rich corner of the Peruvian Amazon filled with smoke and debris this week as all branches of the country's military attacked illegal gold mining camps deep in the jungle."We are launching Operation Mercury 2 together to show the world Peru will no longer allow illegal mining in their national parks, polluting the rivers and water supplies for hundreds of thousands of people and wildlife; causing death and sickness for the next hundred years."