By Manuel Vigo
Peru This Week
Former presidential candidate Pedro Pablo Kuczynski has warned that the Peruvian capital could run out of its supply of natural gas unless the government takes steps to secure the Camisea natural gas pipeline from possible terrorist attacks.
Kuczynski’s comments come days after Shining Path remnants attacked an airstrip in Kiteni, Cusco, and set fire to 3 helicopters used on the Camisea project.
“There is a group of things that need to be done to solve the issue,” the former minister said, “if not Lima will run out of gas, and gas makes up 40 percent of the energy we use.”
Kuczynski, who served as finance minister during the Toledo administration, said the terrorist group was likely financed by the drug trade, and made up of no more than 200 people.
“This situation can be reversed, but we need to act firmly,” he added, according to local radio RPP.
Peruvian Minister of Defense Pedro Cateriano said Wednesday the government had decided to increase security personnel at key points of the Camisea gas pipeline, over fears of a terrorist attack.
Former Energy Minister Carlos Herrera Descalzi warned that a halt to Camisea’s operations could mean up to a 40 percent increase to the country’s energy prices.
