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To: President Guillermo Lasso of Ecuador –

I am deeply concerned about the increase in violence and threats to Indigenous leaders who stand in defense of their communities and territory in the Ecuadorian Amazon. On February 26, Eduardo Mendúa, father, community leader of the A’i Cofan nation, and secretary of international relations of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) was murdered. This crime occurred just after his return from the CONAIE Council Meeting. Mendua had been an outspoken opponent of oil drilling in his community and in the Amazon.

I urge your government to investigate this killing and to guarantee the protection of Earth Defenders like Eduardo Mendua who remain at risk. Any investigation should also reveal any connections between the killing and activity employed by Petroecuador in the development of its operations, as Amazon Watch has received indications the company’s activities have contributed to tensions and conflicts in the area.

Your administration must also implement effective protection mechanisms for Indigenous land defenders and implement policies to address corporate abuses that lead to social and environmental crimes. Lastly, due not only to widespread opposition and the violations of Indigenous and environmental rights, but the violent death of Eduardo Mendua, your government must cease all oil operations by state owned Petroecuador on Cofan territory.

Sincerely,

Your name

A: Guillermo Lasso, Presidente de la República de Ecuador –

Estoy profundamente preocupado por el aumento de la violencia y las amenazas a los líderes indígenas que se levantan en defensa de sus comunidades y territorio en la Amazonía ecuatoriana. El 26 de febrero fue asesinado Eduardo Mendúa, padre, líder comunitario de la nación A’i Cofan y secretario de relaciones internacionales de la Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas del Ecuador (CONAIE). Este crimen ocurrió poco después de su regreso de la Reunión de Consejo de la CONAIE. Mendúa se había opuesto abiertamente a la explotación petrolera en su comunidad y en la Amazonía.

Insto a su gobierno a que investigue este asesinato y garantice la protección de los Defensores de la Tierra como Eduardo Mendúa que continúan en riesgo. Toda investigación también debería revelar cualquier conexión entre el asesinato y la actividad empleada por Petroecuador en el desarrollo de sus operaciones, ya que Amazon Watch ha recibido indicios de que las actividades de la empresa han contribuido a las tensiones y conflictos en la zona.

Su administración también debe implementar mecanismos de protección efectivos para los defensores de las tierras indígenas e implementar políticas para abordar los abusos corporativos que conducen a delitos sociales y ambientales. Por último, debido no solo a la oposición generalizada y las violaciones de los derechos indígenas y ambientales, sino también a la muerte violenta de Eduardo Mendúa, su gobierno debe cesar todas las operaciones petroleras de la estatal Petroecuador en territorio Cofán.

Respetuosamente,

Tu nombre

​​Josefina, through your leadership you have taught us the power of tenderness, words, and conviction. You have demanded dignity and respect from a government that has prioritized the exploitation of resources and marginalized Indigenous peoples for decades.

You’ve continued to empower your people to say NO to mining and in practice, you have powerfully exercised the right to self-determination and autonomy.

Thank you Josefina for your commitment to protect the Amazon and Indigenous autonomy. You have represented the collective decision to reject mining extraction on PSHA land and the protection of the Amazon.

Throughout your time as president we have seen your tireless efforts to speak out against the mining industry and the projects slated within your people’s land. Your courage against mining companies leaves a legacy of strength and for that we send you so much gratitude.

We also thank you for building a path for future women leaders who defend the land. You have inspired us with your conviction, skill, and courage the new generations of women leaders who seek to protect their cultural identity, strengthen their spaces of representation, and the agenda of Indigenous women’s rights.

Thank you Josefina for your resistance. During this Women’s History Month and always, we honor your steadfast commitment to justice.

Vanguard agreed in 2021 that it would release an interim emissions reductions plan to outline how it plans to reduce emissions by 2030. The “plan” that Vanguard released is woefully inadequate, pales in comparison to industry peers, and is by far the least ambitious, bare-minimum participation in the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative (NZAM).

Vanguard must go back to the drawing board and announce a new and substantive plan to actually reduce emissions as well as coal, oil, and gas exclusion policies!

To this day, Vanguard has not made any moves to address Indigenous rights violations or companies it invests in that contribute to deforestation. Also, it has failed to have the ambition to actually mitigate climate risk and create secure futures for clients; and it has no implementation plan to ensure that it actually meet the already minuscule “expectations” to reduce emissions by 2030.

This non-plan is a failure on every measure, and Vanguard customers, activists, financial experts, and more cannot accept it. It’s time to go back to the drawing board and release a new plan that is more in line with industry peers, NZAM principles, and Race to Zero criteria.

Sincerely,

Your name

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