Rebel commander says he's taken over town in Peru

Announces in radio broadcast he rejects President Fujimori

From staff and wire reports

LIMA, Peru -- A rebel army commander announced over a Peruvian radio station Sunday that he had taken over a town in southern Peru and did not recognize President Alberto Fujimori.

Col. Ollanta Moises Humala Tasso, an artillery officer, said in the broadcast that he opposes the military shake-up Fujimori announced Saturday and that he does not recognize Fujimori as his authority nor as Peru's president.

The officer is thought to be commanding 60-100 troops in Toquepala, a mining town near the Chilean border. It's located about 690 miles (1,100 km) from the capital, Lima.

Not known if revolt is backed

It was not known if the revolt was isolated or had backing from other military units. There were unconfirmed reports that the area's main road had been blocked, and that military vehicles were moving along highways.

The status of the town's residents also was unclear. Some reports said residents were being held hostage. Other reports said that the rebel commander was demanding food and supplies, and that he had told residents to stay home. No violence or confrontations have been reported in the area.

According to a joint statement by Peru's armed forces, measures were being taken to stop the unrest. The statement said 49 troops were participating in the revolt.

The vice president of the town's mine, during a telephone interview with Reuters, said rebels were demanding food and transport to Puno, in the southern Andes.

"I only know that 60 armed soldiers have taken over a main square in Toquepala," Hans Flury was quoted as saying. The mine is owned by Southern Peru Copper Corp.

The reported uprising came after Fujimori, embroiled in the worst political crisis of his decade in power, replaced three top heads of Peru's army, air force, and navy on Saturday.

No other details were immediately available.

Reporter Claudia Cisneros and Reuters contributed to this report.

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Organization of American States
Bienvenidos al Ministerio de la Presidencia (Spanish)
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores del Peru (Spanish/English)
Congreso de la Republica del Peru (Spanish/English)
Peru Posible
RPP Noticias (Spanish)
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