More About COVID-19

COVID-19 Threatens Indigenous Lives in the Amazon

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an additional crisis for Indigenous and traditional peoples across the Amazon Basin. Amazon Watch is working on a variety of urgent initiatives in response to emerging needs. The global pandemic puts their lives in even more danger as governments fail to appropriately address the crisis. Across the Amazon, Indigenous peoples are already on the front lines of the climate crisis, facing mounting threats including deforestation, fires, industrial extraction, agribusiness expansion, and increased violence against Forest Guardians. More

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Challenges Ahead for Indigenous Earth Defenders in Peru

June 15, 2021

With a vaccination rate that is already surpassing 120,000 patients per day, Peru is finally showing glimmers of hope that it will overcome the worst of the pandemic. However, a glance towards the Peruvian Amazon shows a different reality. Recovery from COVID-19 in this biodiverse region will be difficult and Indigenous communities will need international support.

"Narcos Are Looking for Me": Deadly Threats to Peru's Indigenous Leaders

Communities call for protection after string of killings linked to rush for land to grow coca, under cover of the pandemic

April 6, 2021The Guardian

Indigenous communities in Peru’s central Amazon are experiencing an increase in violence, threats and harassment as drug gangs target their land to grow coca, the plant used to make cocaine. COVID-19 restrictions have made the remote region even more vulnerable by slowing state efforts to protect land and eradicate illegal coca cultivation.

Deal with Bolsonaro Would Condone Brazil’s Tragedy, NGOs Tell Biden

Nearly 200 Brazilian organizations warn U.S. president about risks of a closed-door negotiation with the Brazilian president

April 6, 2021

Brasilia, Brazil – A group of 199 Brazilian civil society organizations released today a letter to the U.S. government warning that a forthcoming cooperation deal between the United States and the Bolsonaro administration could bring risks for the environment, human rights, and democracy.

U.S. Representatives to Biden Administration: Speak Up for Indigenous Rights in the Brazilian Amazon

U.S. congresspeople express their deep concern for the dangerous situation facing Brazill’s Munduruku Indigenous people and encourage the Biden Administration to add its voice

March 29, 2021

Washington, DC – The Biden Administration should express concern to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro about the explosive situation facing the Munduruku Indigenous people in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, 12 members of the U.S. House of Representatives said today in a letter to U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Todd Chapman, led by Rep Raúl Grijalva (Arizona).

After Organizing Resistance, Indigenous Peoples and Allied Organizations in Brazil Win Key Victory Against Belo Sun

March 29, 2021

The Canadian mining company, Belo Sun, experienced a setback in its plans to open a massive gold mine in the Xingu river: it lost authorization to meet with Indigenous communities during the pandemic due to a pressure campaign by Indigenous leaders and human rights organizations. Belo Sun is hardly the first extractive company to put its profit margin over the lives of Indigenous peoples, but through swift organizing across our coalition of allied NGOs and Indigenous partners, we have secured an important victory.

Statement on Monitoring Illegal Mining Activities in Our Baunilha Stream

March 21, 2021

We urgently demand that government agencies comply with their constitutional duties. If something happens to our people, we blame the Brazilian government. Even after receiving numerous reports of invasions and destruction of our territory in the middle of a pandemic, it fails to act and allows our people to be killed at the hands of a heavily armed criminal gang, associated with a few Indigenous individuals involved in mining activities.

Brazilian Government Authorizes In-person Meeting Between Mining Company Belo Sun and Indigenous Peoples Impacted by Its Proposed Project

Brazil's National Indigenous Foundation approved the in-person meeting due to alleged lack of internet connection and by claiming complete vaccination of Indigenous people, however only 77% have received the first vaccine in the region, and only 34% the second dose

March 12, 2021

Pará, Brazil – In a white paper published on February 10, 2021, the Brazilian National Indigenous Foundation provided details on "health protocols" so that Canadian mining company, Belo Sun, can hold meetings to present and validate its Environmental Impact Study to Indigenous residents from the Indigenous Lands located in Pará state – Arara da Volta Grande do Xingu and Paquiçamba – in-person and virtually.

Statement on Monitoring Illegal Mining Activities Along Our Baunilha Stream: "We Are Not Standing Idly by!"

March 5, 2021

We are fighting as our ancestors fought for the demarcation of our land – they walked without tiring, and so we will fight tirelessly. This stream belongs to us. This territory belongs to us. The pariwat say that the Munduruku have no spirits any longer – they only have traders. Only we do have the spirits of our ancestors with us, and we are resisting because our ancestors also resisted – this is how we will preserve our future generations.

COVID-19 Threatens the Future of the Amazon and Its Peoples

February 2, 2021

Due to the inaction and discrimination by Amazonian governments, Indigenous peoples have called upon international allies to show solidarity at this critical moment to protect Indigenous rights and lives. They have called on allies – including Amazon Watch – to unite and work together to raise awareness and solidarity funding to ensure medicine, oxygen tanks, logistics, and communication channels are available to serve the most vulnerable populations.

COVID-19: Indigenous Amazonian Leaders Denounce Inequitable Access to the Vaccine and Premeditated Inaction of Governments in the Face of the New Strain of Coronavirus in Brazil

While governments and multinational corporations prepare for a virtual Davos Forum, Indigenous Amazonian peoples are abandoned to their fate and demand humanitarian aid in the face of the new Brazilian strain of COVID-19

January 26, 2021

Quito, Ecuador – Leaders of the Coordinating Body of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA) denounced discriminatory policies regarding the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and accused governments in the region of not responding to the needs of Indigenous peoples in the face of the spreading Brazilian strain of the virus. COICA has issued a call for action to the international community to support raising humanitarian funds and rapidly responding to the crisis given government inaction.