Culture ·

"¡Son extraterrestres!": pobladores loretanos denuncian seres extraños que atacan de noche

They’re extraterrestrials: Loreto residents report strange beings that attack at night

B212 minArticle reviewed

Original article date: August 1, 2023 · Guide updated: September 9, 2026 · Source: RPP Noticias

Before you open the article

This preparation gives you the story context, essential vocabulary, useful expressions and reading questions. Study it first, then open the original news article, which is written in Spanish.

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What this article is about

Members of the Ikitu community in Alto Nanay, Loreto, reported frightening nocturnal encounters with unidentified figures and asked authorities for protection. The article presents the residents’ claims while also recording alternative local explanations and the lack of corresponding medical records at the regional health authority.

Background you need

The story is useful for learning how Spanish-language reporting handles testimony, uncertainty and extraordinary claims. RPP reports what community members said, but it does not establish that extraterrestrials were present; it also mentions explanations involving the local 'pelacaras' legend, drones, drug trafficking or land-trafficking groups.

Editorial illustration for "¡Son extraterrestres!": pobladores loretanos denuncian la presencia de seres extraños que los atacan de noche — Editorial illustration · Spanish News for Learners

Key vocabulary

Essential vocabulary

The example sentences below were written for language practice; they are not quotations from the source.

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pobladoresresidents / local inhabitants

A common news term for people living in a particular community or area.

Los pobladores pidieron mayor protección para su comunidad.

The residents asked for greater protection for their community.

pueblo indígenaIndigenous people / community

A people with its own historical, cultural and territorial identity.

El pueblo indígena organizó vigilancia durante la noche.

The Indigenous community organized nighttime surveillance.

seres extrañosstrange beings

The neutral phrase used in the article for the unidentified figures reported by residents.

Los vecinos dijeron haber visto seres extraños cerca del pueblo.

Residents said they had seen strange beings near the village.

armas de cazahunting weapons

Weapons used for hunting animals.

Los testimonios afirmaban que sus armas de caza no eran efectivas.

The accounts claimed that their hunting weapons were not effective.

rondas nocturnasnight patrols

Groups organized to watch or patrol an area at night.

La comunidad organizó rondas nocturnas para vigilar la zona.

The community organized night patrols to watch the area.

pelacaraspelacaras

A name associated with Amazonian stories about mysterious or dangerous outsiders.

Algunas versiones locales mencionaban a los llamados pelacaras.

Some local accounts mentioned the so-called pelacaras.

dronesdrones

Unmanned flying devices that were mentioned as one possible explanation.

Otra hipótesis era que los objetos podían ser drones.

Another hypothesis was that the objects could be drones.

narcotráficodrug trafficking

The illegal production and trade of drugs.

Una de las versiones relacionaba los drones con el narcotráfico.

One account linked the drones to drug trafficking.

traficantes de terrenosland traffickers

People involved in illegal appropriation or sale of land.

También se mencionó a posibles traficantes de terrenos.

Possible land traffickers were also mentioned.

registrosrecords

Officially documented information kept by an institution.

La autoridad sanitaria indicó que el caso no figuraba en sus registros.

The health authority said the case did not appear in its records.

Quick practice

Vocabulary flashcards

Think of the translation, then tap the card to reveal it.

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Useful expressions

Expressions

vivir aterrados— to live in fear

Los pobladores dijeron vivir aterrados por lo que ocurría de noche.

tomar medidas— to take action / measures

La comunidad pidió que las autoridades tomaran medidas.

podría tratarse de— it could be / it might be

Otra versión señalaba que podría tratarse de drones.

Language focus

Reported speech with según

News Spanish often uses “según” to attribute a claim without presenting it as independently proven.

Según los pobladores, los encuentros comenzaron en julio.

Uncertainty with podría / serían

Conditional forms help journalists mark information as alleged or uncertain.

Los objetos podrían ser drones y las figuras serían de gran tamaño.

Attribution versus fact

Verbs such as “denunciar”, “indicar” and “relatar” show who is responsible for a claim.

El líder de la comunidad relató lo que, según él, había ocurrido.

Before you read

Questions to keep in mind

Who is making the extraordinary claims in the article?
What alternative explanations does the report mention?
What evidence would be needed to distinguish testimony from a verified event?

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Now read the news in Spanish

You have prepared the main context and language. The button opens the publisher’s original Spanish-language article in a new tab.

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After reading

Reflect on what you read

Which details are presented as residents’ testimony rather than confirmed facts?
What did DIRESA Loreto say about medical records related to the alleged attacks?
How does the article balance a dramatic headline with uncertainty in the body of the report?