Memories of paradise

Description

After an earthquake in the 1970s buried the city of Yungay, Peru, the survivors were given government aid to settle a new town in the jungle, which they called Paraíso or Paradise. In the beginning, the peasants grew corn, coffee and other crops. When the economic aid ended, the residents successfully turned to coca cultivation. This attracted drug lords and then Shining Path Maoists. This then led to great violence which prompted the government to launch a full-scale assault on the Maoists. Paradise was destroyed and the residents were forced to flee, but now the original settlers are starting to come back to rebuild.

Runtime

52 min

Subjects

Geography

Genre

Date of Publication

2004

Database

Alexander Street

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