Despite a historic referendum in August 2023, where Ecuadorians overwhelmingly voted to keep over 700 million barrels of crude oil permanently in the ground underneath Yasuní National Park, recent developments indicate that the government intends to ignore the popular vote and continue drilling for oil in this biodiverse region which is also home to Ecuador’s last Indigenous Peoples in voluntary isolation.
Take action now to protect Yasuní National Park! Join us in demanding that President Noboa respect Ecuador’s popular vote and immediately end oil drilling in this biodiverse region.
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To: President Noboa –
I am writing to you urgently regarding the recent developments concerning the Yasuní National Park in Ecuador. In August 2023, Ecuadorians made history by voting overwhelmingly to keep over 700 million barrels of crude oil permanently in the ground underneath Yasuní National Park. This historic referendum represented a victory for Indigenous peoples, biodiversity, and the climate, signaling a commitment to preserving one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.
However, I am deeply concerned by recent announcements indicating your intention to ignore the popular vote and continue drilling for oil in Yasuní under the pretext of funding the country’s escalating conflict with organized crime. It is essential to honor the democratic process and respect the will of the people as expressed through the referendum.
Yasuní National Park is not only a UNESCO biosphere reserve but also home to Indigenous peoples, including the Tagaeri, Taromenane, and Dugakaeri, who are living in voluntary isolation. Continuing oil drilling in this region poses a severe threat to their way of life and jeopardizes their very existence.
Furthermore, delaying or circumventing the implementation of the referendum undermines democracy and sets a dangerous precedent for the protection of Indigenous rights and environmental conservation efforts. The eyes of the world are on Ecuador, and I urge you to prioritize the well-being of your citizens and the preservation of Yasuní National Park by respecting the referendum results and halting all plans for oil drilling in the region.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
