Coconut Grove, FL - The international environmental organizations Amazon Watch and Rainforest Action Network (RAN) held a "Project Risk Briefing" on controversial new oil and gas projects showcased at this week's Andean Energy '98 conference.
All: 1998
California's "Project Bandaloop" Sky Dances for an End to the Fossil Fuel Era Photos Available from Reuters Photo TV Footage Available from Reuters Television
Buenos Aires - Last evening, thousands of people watched as sky dancers from California presented "Awakening", a multi-media spectacle of dance and imagery while suspended from the 6-story Law School building outside of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change.
Construction Crews Blocked by Indigenous Protestors in Venezuela Military Tank and Riot Team Sent to Popular Tourist Destination
Since Monday, October 12, more than 250 indigenous residents of the Canaima National Park and surrounding areas of southern Venezuela have been protesting again against the 450-mile power line being built to Brazil. The protests come one month after Venezuelan government unilaterally broke off talks with the Indian leaders.
Environment: Warnings on Risky Projects in Amazon Region
Inter Press Service | Washington, Oct. 1 - Investors from multinational corporations and financial lending institutions are being urged to weigh the potential environmental risks of investing in certain infrastructure projects in the Amazon.
Venezuelan National Guard Assaults Indigenous Community with Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets for Blocking Construction of Power line
Mapauri, Venezuela - At approximately 3:20 p.m. EST yesterday, the Venezuelan National Guard - with orders from an unidentified source - assaulted residents of Mapauri, a small indigenous community in the State of Bolivar located in the municipality of the Gran Sabana.
Amazon Watch is building on more than 25 years of radical and effective solidarity with Indigenous peoples across the Amazon Basin.
Day 11 of Protest in the Venezuelan Amazon: Venezuelan National Guard Brings in Tanks to Disperse Protestors
El Dorado, Venezuela - At approximately 6:30 am (EST) today, fifty members of the Venezuelan National Guard moved into kilometer 16, the site of the 11-day old blockade – to disperse 800 indigenous peoples protesting the construction of a new high voltage power line from Venezuela to Brazil.
Tensions Rise in Venezuela's Amazon
Associated Press | El Dorado, Venezuela — The Pemon Indians rolled a huge log across the highway to block traffic. The tribe, some dressed in red loin cloths and their faces streaked with paint, was defending its piece of paradise.
Communique from the Pueblo U’wa
Cubara, ColombiaWe, the U’wa, declare to the government and its various entities, to Congress , to the different social organizations, human rights NGO’s, national and international environmentalists, to the oil companies and to the Colombian people in general, that we have united formally behind the stoppages and p
Day 5 - 1,200 Venezuelan Indians Shut-Down Traffic on Highway to Brazil Leaders Announce Blockade to Continue Indefinitely
El Dorado, Venezuela - More than 1,200 Indians from the Imataca and Gran Sabana regions are now gathered at kilometer 16 blocking all traffic along the only highway between Venezuela and Brazil.
Fourth Day: 800 Venezuela Indians Continue Occupation of Highway Indigenous Leaders Hold Press Conference in Caracas on August 7 --- note: Associated Press reporter and photographer in the region---
El Dorado, Venezuela - For the fourth time in the past week, Over 800 indigenous people of the Imataca and Grand Savanna regions are gathered at kilometer 16 of the only highway between Venezuela and Brazil protesting a high voltage electrical transmission line being built through their rainforest homeland.
Funds Flowing for Construction of Venezuela-Brazil Power Grid
Miami Herald | Caracas - A Brazilian electricity company received a $55 million loan from the Andean Development Corp.
Los Tres Expedientes que están en la Corte Serán Conocidos por la Sala Plena CSJ Se Tardará Más en Decidir sobre Imataca
El Universal | Caracas - Por decisión del máximo tribunal del país, la Sala Plena será la única que conozca los tres expedientes relacionados con el caso de Imataca, los cuales fueron abiertos luego de recibir medidas cautelares innominadas y solicitudes de nulidad del decreto 1850, que permite la explotación minera en dicha reserva f
1,000 Venezuelan Indians Blockade Main Highway to Brazil Protest Marks 500 Years since the Arrival of Columbus to Venezuela --- note: Associated Press reporter and photographer on the scene ---
El Dorado, Venezuela - Just shortly after 1:30 PM (EST) today, nearly 1,000 Pemon Indians of the Imataca and Grand Savanna regions began a blockade of construction crews on the only highway between Venezuela and Brazil.
Controversial Amazon Power Line Gets Funding
Reuters | Caracas - A Latin American development bank on Tuesday granted a $55 million loan to build a controversial power line linking Venezuelan and Brazil through the Amazon jungle which is fiercely opposed by indigenous and environmental groups.
Indigenous Blockade of the Brazil –Venezuela International Road May Continue This Week Pending Meeting
Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela - The Indigenous Federation of the State of Bolivar said on Friday that hundreds of Pemon Indians are prepared to resume protests over the high voltage power line to Brazil this week pending talks with the Government.
Venezuela Indians Defend Park
Associated Press Writer | Caracas, Venezuela — About 400 Indians blocked Venezuela's main highway to Brazil with huge logs to protest a high-voltage power line being built in the "Lost World'' of Amazon rain forests.
Amazonian Indian Tribes on the Barricades to Protest International Powerline Destruction of Their Rainforest Environment
VHeadline/VENews | Caracas - Venezuelan Pemon indians have set up roadblocks on the arterial continental highway from Brazil in a major protest over the construction of electricity power transmission lines which have cut a 400 kilometer (250 mile) swathe through tropical Amazon rainforest affecting some 5,500 acres in the ecologically sensitive
Venezuela Indians Defend Park
Associated Press | Caracas, Venezuela — About 400 Indians blocked Venezuela's main highway to Brazil with huge logs to protest a high-voltage power line being built in the "Lost World'' of Amazon rain forests.
Day 2 - Indigenous Peoples Blockade International Highway In Protest of Guri Electrical Line
El Dorado, Venezuela - The Indigenous Federation of Bolivar State reported that since 6:00 am, Monday morning, July 27, more than 800 members of the indigenous communities of Imataca rainforest and the Grand Savanna have been blockading the International road that connects southern Venezuela to Brazil.
Venezuela Indians Block Road to Protest Power Line
Reuters | Caracas - Hundreds of Venezuelan Indians blocked the main highway to Brazil on Tuesday to protest the construction of a power line connecting the two countries through their homelands.Indigenous leaders said construction of the 430-mile (690 km) link was ruining their livelihood and destroying vast tracts of national p
US Agency OKs $200 Mln for Gas Pipeline
Reuters | Washington - The U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) approved $200 million in financing Tuesday to help pay for a controversial natural gas pipeline project in Bolivia being developed by Enron Corp. (NYSE:ENE - news) and Royal Dutch/Shell Group .
OPIC Approves $200M Bolivian Loan
Associated Press | Washington - The Overseas Private Investment Corporation approved a $200 million loan today for a gas pipeline in Bolivia, a project opposed by environmental groups and some U.S. lawmakers. OPIC, which promotes U.S.
Colombia Tribe Leader Takes Message to Occidental
Reuters | Santa Monica, Calif. - Roberto Cobaria sees blood beneath the cloud forests of northeastern Colombia.
U’wa Tribal Leader to Attend Occidental’s Annual Meeting Press Conference and Native Prayer Circle outside the Shareholder Meeting
Santa Monica, CA - An U’wa tribal leader has traveled to Los Angeles from the rainforest of Colombia in order to attend the annual shareholder meeting of the Occidental Petroleum Corporation.
5 Arrested in Protest against Occidental
Los Angeles Times | Five environmentalists protesting Occidental Petroleum Corp.'s plan to build an oil pipeline in Colombia were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of trespassing and vandalism.
Seven Arrested at Earth Day Protest in Los Angeles Protesting Occidental Petroleum Project on Sacred U'wa Land in Colombia
Los Angeles – Seven people were arrested this afternoon in front of the LA headquarters of the Occidental Petroleum Corporation (Oxy), protesting the company’s plans to drill for oil on U’wa peoples homeland in Colombia.Protesters installed a 23-foot metal pipeline in the company’s lobby, the end of the pipe ju
Environmentalists Detained in Anti-Oil Protest
Reuters | Los Angeles - Environmental activists chained themselves to an oil drum in front of Occidental Petroleum Co.'s headquarters here on Wednesday to protest the company's plans to drill on land claimed by a Colombian tribe.
Full-page New York Times Ad Warns Investors: Occidental’s Amazon Oil Project is a "Death Sentence" for the U’wa Tribe
In a full-page ad appearing in the New York Times today, an international coalition of twenty-seven environmental, human rights, and religious organization warned that Occidental Petroleum’s "Samoré" oil project is a death sentence for the U’wa people.
Amazon Indigenous Groups Oppose Infrastructure Projects
Inter-Press Service | Washington - Indigenous groups in the Amazon Basin of Latin America, the most biologically diverse rainforest on earth, are pushing ahead to oppose infrastructure projects they believe will lead to the destruction of their homelands.