In August 2008 and June 2009, Bagua suffered social unrest and the occupation of road infrastructure by indigenous communities protesting against new laws that would allow oil and mining companies to enter indigenous territories without seeking the consent or consulting with local communities. Indigenous communities complained that some 70% of the Peruvian Amazon would be leased for oil and gas exploration, putting at risk their own lives and the environment.
In August 2008 and June 2009, Bagua was plagued by social unrest as indigenous communities took to the roads to protest new laws that would enable oil and gas companies to enter their territories without consulting local residents. The indigenous populations feared that their way of life and the environment would be severely compromised.