Yasuní: The Last Chance or the First Step?By Esperanza MartínezAcción EcologicaOn Februray 5, 2009, presidential decree number 1572 indefinitely extended an initiative not to exploit crude oil located in Yasuní National Park in Ecuador.With this, the Yasuní-ITT ini
All: 2009
U'wa Statements on the 10th Anniversary of the Murder of Terry, Ingrid, and Lahe
CONTEXT: March 4, 2009 marks a decade after the murder in Colombia of Terence Freitas, Ingrid Washinawatok and Lahe'ena'e Gay, who were all passionate advocates of indigenous rights around the world. The three activists were kidnapped by armed men during a visit to the territory of Colombia’s U’wa indigenous people.
Oil Spill Seriously Affects the Health of Indigenous Communities along the River Coca
A communiqué from the Ecuadorian indigenous federation CONAIEQuito, March 3, 2009The discharge of oil caused by the collapse of the OCP (the second largest pipeline in Ecuador) has threatened the health of more than 40 native communities whose ancestral territories are to be found along the River Coca and the R
Ecuador oil spill pollutes river in Amazon
Reuters UK | SANTA ROSA, Ecuador, Feb 26 (Reuters) - A rupture in Ecuador's second largest oil pipeline has polluted the Santa Rosa river in the lush Amazon jungle and shut off the flow of crude to a Pacific port in the city of Esmeraldas.A spokesman for the firm running the pipeline said on Thursday the pipeline will be restarted
Ecuador Pipeline Suffers Major Oil Spill Thousands of Gallons of Heavy Crude Flood River and Surrounding Ecosystem
On Wednesday February 25, Ecuador’s privately built and operated OCP pipeline ruptured, spilling at least 14,000 gallons of crude into the Santa Rosa river. The river flows east through the Napo province and into the country’s Amazon region.
Amazon Watch is building on more than 25 years of radical and effective solidarity with Indigenous peoples across the Amazon Basin.
Ecuador Decree Keeps Oil Companies at Bay
President Indefinitely Extends Historic Rainforest Protection Proposal
Quito, Ecuador, Feb 24 (AW) – The President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, recently signed a decree that breathed new life into the country’s pioneer proposal to keep its largest oil field permanently underground in one of the most pristine areas of rainforest in the world.
Inter-American Development Bank Reports Record Losses on 50th Anniversary
Coalition of Civil Society Groups Across Latin America Call IDB to Account
IDB: 50 Years Financing Inequalitywww.frentebid2009.orgWashington, Feb 23, 2009 – Civil society groups across the South American continent are criticizing the Inter-American Development Bank for investment portfolio losses totaling almost $2 billion as another example of its failure to reduce poverty and inequ
Chevron Abusing Courts to Delay Judgment In $27 Billion Environmental Suit, Amazon Leaders Say
Oil Company Using Fraudulent Tactics to Delay Ecuadorian Trial, say Lawyers
Quito, Ecuador – Trying to make good on its promise of a "lifetime of litigation" for indigenous groups in the Amazon, Chevron is using fraudulent tactics to delay an Ecuadorian trial court from reaching a decision on a record $27 billion in environmental damages, lawyers for local residents say."Facing overwhe
Amazon Defense Coalition: Chevron Misleads SEC Over Ecuador Lawsuit, Assert Rainforest Residents
Information in 10-Q Called "Dishonest" and "Misleading"
QUITO, Ecuador, Feb 17, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) – Chevron is deceiving shareholders and the financial markets by filing misleading information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to downplay its $27 billion potential liability in a environmental lawsuit in Ecuador, representatives for the plaintiffs in that
Chevron Blasted For Misconduct and Corruption in Ecuador Trial
Accused of Using Political Pressure and Junk Science to Evade Court Judgment Over "Amazon Chernobyl"
Quito, Ecuador (February 13, 2009) - Chevron's legal department was blasted today by the leaders of indigenous groups in the Amazon for engaging in misconduct in an effort to sabotage a lawsuit in Ecuador over environmental contamination where the company faces a potential $27 billion liability.Chevron has admitted tha
Questions Raised About Chevron's Political Position in Washington After $27 Billion Ecuador Disaster
Negative Publicity Casts Shadow over Oil Giant As It Tries To Explain Liability to Congress and Journalists
Washington, D.C.
New Evidence Shows Chevron Manipulated Lab Results in Landmark Environmental Trial
Chevron Faces $27 Billion Liability for Toxic Catastrophe in Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest
Quito, Ecuador (Feb 04, 2009) - Scientists in the $27 billion class action lawsuit against Chevron in Ecuador's Amazon have discovered that the company manipulated laboratory results to evade a judgment at trial, lawyers for indigenous tribes announced today.
Press Kit for Landmark Legal Case, Aguinda v. ChevronTexaco
Updated February 2009
This press kit provides background and updated information on the case against Chevron by 30,000 rainforest residents in the landmark legal case entitled Aguinda v. ChevronTexaco.Attached are:1. Executive Summary2. Key Questions and Answers3.
Ecuador Oil Spill Pollutes River in the Amazon
A rupture in Ecuador's second largest oil pipeline polluted the Santa Rosa river in the lush Amazon jungle and shut off the flow of crude to a Pacific port in the city of Esmeraldas.
President condemned for uncontacted tribes policy
From Survival InternationalPresident Correa has been condemned by Ecuador's national indigenous peoples' organisation CONAIE over his policy towards uncontacted Indians.'Correa's regime is promoting oil production on land inhabited by uncontacted tribes,' says a statement from CONAIE.The statement w
WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: "Wake Up, World!" - SOS from the Amazon
Interpress Service | BELÉM, Brazil, Jan 27 (IPS) - A human banner made up of more than 1,000 people, seen and photographed from the air, sent the message "SOS Amazon" to the world, in the first action taken by indigenous people hours before the opening in northern Brazil on Tuesday of the 2009 World Social Forum (WSF).The mass message ref
S.O.S. Amazon! Over 1700 People Create Human Banner and Urge Global Action
Brazilian Indigenous Leaders Unite International Efforts to Defend the Amazon Rainforest during the World Social Forum
BELEM, Brazil – Indigenous people from across Latin America today led over 1700 participants of World Social Forum to form a human banner, using their bodies to draw attention to the increasingly precarious situation of the Amazon rainforest.
S.O.S. Amazon!
Amazon Watch coordinated with indigenous organizations and other environmental organizations on this human banner at the World Social Forum in Belem, Brazil. The event was organized by Amazonian residents to draw attention to the crisis faced by massive deforestation of the rainforest - a crisis that affects us all.
Bolivians Ratify New Constitution
New York Times | By SIMON ROMEROPublished: January 25, 2009EL ALTO, Bolivia — President Evo Morales seemed assured of an easy victory in a referendum on Sunday over a sweeping new Constitution aimed at empowering Bolivia’s Indians. The vote capped three years of conflict-ridden efforts by Mr.
SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2009: CRUDE REALITIES
LA Weekly | One of Anna Wintour's most significant (and profitable) contributions to Vogue, we learn in The September Issue, has been her decision to put movie stars – rather than fashion models – on the magazine's cover.
Ecuadorian Indigenous Federation Protests Mining Law
(Quito, January 21.
"Crude" Press Kit
Understanding the Lawsuit Behind the Film Background Information on Aguinda v. ChevronTexaco
Download the electronic press kit for Joe Berlinger's "Crude".More information on the film can be found here and on the Sundance site here.
Chevron’s Amazon Disaster Lands at Sundance
Joe Berlinger’s “Crude” Shows David v. Goliath Legal Battle to Hold Oil Giant Accountable for Destroying Rainforest Trudie Styler and Sting Join Indigenous Leaders at Opening Jan. 18
San Francisco, CA (January 15, 2008) – A new documentary by the acclaimed filmmaker Joe Berlinger (director of BROTHER’S KEEPER, PARADISE LOST, and METALLICA: SOME KIND OF MONSTER), which portrays the epic 15-year legal battle between indigenous tribes and oil giant Chevron over massive oil contamination in Ecuador’s Am
Ecuador approves law to resume mining activities
AP | QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuador's legislators have approved a bill that would resume mining activities suspended nine months ago and promote large-scale mining projects.Environmental and Indian organizations immediately denounced the bill approved Monday night and accused the government of selling out to foreign intere
Gobierno amplia hasta junio plan para evitar extracción de crudo del ITT
AFP | Quito, AFPEcuador extendió hasta junio próximo su plan para lograr una millonaria compensación a cambio de evitar la extracción de unos 920 millones de barriles de petróleo en la selva de la Amazonia, anunció el lunes el canciller Fander Falconí."Todo el proyecto se prolonga durante seis meses adicionales
S.O.S. Amazon
View photos of indigenous people from across Latin America leading over 1000 participants of the World Social Forum to form human banners, using their bodies to draw attention to the increasingly precarious situation of the Amazon rainforest.
