Alianza Arkana Blog | "We are still drinking contaminated water every day... We think that with the declaration of emergency the government will be forced to worry about us and can solve our problem sooner."
Achuar
Peru Declares Environmental State of Emergency in Its Rainforest
Government reports high levels of barium, lead, chrome and petroleum-related compounds
The Guardian | Lima, Peru – Peru has declared an environmental state of emergency in a remote part of its northern Amazon rainforest, home for decades to one of the country's biggest oil fields, currently operated by the Argentinian company Pluspetrol. Achuar and Kichwa indigenous people living in the Pastaza river basin near Peru's border with Ecuador...
Ecuador Auctions Off Amazon to Chinese Oil Firms
Indigenous groups claim they have not consented to oil projects, as politicians visit Beijing to publicise bidding process
The Guardian | Beijing, China – Ecuador plans to auction off more than three million hectares of pristine Amazonian rainforest to Chinese oil companies, angering indigenous groups and underlining the global environmental toll of China's insatiable thirst for energy.
Peru Declares Amazon Oil Contamination Emergency
Associated Press | Lima, Peru – Peru's government declared an environmental state of emergency on Monday in a remote Amazon jungle region it says has been affected by years of contamination at the country's most productive oil fields, which are currently operated by Argentina-based Pluspetrol.
Ecuador's Amazon for Sale in Beijing
Investors risk violating Chinese government regulations
Beijing, China – Amidst widespread international outcry, Ecuadorian government officials are slated to meet with dozens of Chinese investors and oil company executives today at the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing in an effort to auction off over three million hectares of pristine Amazon rainforest for oil activities.
Amazon Watch is building on more than 25 years of radical and effective solidarity with Indigenous peoples across the Amazon Basin.
Activists Confront Ecuadorian Government for Auctioning the Amazon
Dozens of protestors publicly denounce government in Paris over oil concessions
Paris, France – Dozens of activists protested against the Ecuadorian government during its XI Round oil concession promotional activities in Paris today, where officials met with European investors and oil company executives seeking to auction off an enormous swath of pristine Amazon rainforest.
Ecuadorian Indigenous Leaders & Allies Confront Government Over Oil Auction
Amazonian leaders and international allies unite in Houston at NAPE
Houston, TX – Indigenous leaders from the Ecuadorian Amazon have challenged the Ecuadorian government face-to-face during its XI Round oil concession promotional activities around the North America Prospect Expo (NAPE), the oil prospecting industry's semi-annual trade show where government officials scheduled meetings with oil company...
Investor's Eye on the Amazon
First, some good news! Thanks in no small part to shareholder advocacy efforts, Talisman Energy and ConocoPhillips announced plans this fall to withdraw from key oil blocks in the Peruvian Amazon. And in the historic Chevron lawsuit, the Ecuadorian plaintiffs have launched a global enforcement strategy, which is already making strides in Argentina...
We want to say thank you. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
It's been a huge year here at Amazon Watch. As we look towards 2013 we know that we can only do so thanks to the strong foundation you provide. Your activism, your partnership, all those petitions and all your financial support.
Ecuador's Oil Minister Explains New Oil Round Amid Indigenous Protest
Platts | Quito, Ecuador – Ecuador's oil minister Wilson Pastor Wednesday presented terms for an international licensing round for new blocks in the country's southeast amid protests by indigenous groups seeking to protect the area of the Amazon basin, which is still 85% covered by rainforest
Ecuador to Launch Oil Block Auction Amid Protests
Indigenous people say jungle at risk, oppose exploration
Reuters | Quito, Ecuador – Ecuador will launch a licensing round on Wednesday for 13 oil blocks in unspoiled Amazon areas despite opposition from indigenous groups that fear damage to their ancestral lands.
Indigenous Protests Grow as Ecuador Auctions Amazon Oil Blocks
Hundreds contest "XI Round" oil licensing
Quito, Ecuador – Hundreds of indigenous people gathered in Quito today at the VII Annual Meeting of Oil and Energy where the Ecuadorian government announced the opening of the XI Round, an oil auction covering nearly eight million acres of rainforest in the Amazon.
Amazon in Focus 2012: Celebrating 15 Years
Plus Annual Financial Reports for 2010-2011
This special 15th year anniversary issue of Amazon in Focus celebrates the hard work and accomplishments of our team, our indigenous partners, and you – our growing network of supporters who now number more than 165,000 and span 137 countries.
Victory! Talisman to Withdraw from Peru
Achuar (FENAP) President Peas Peas Ayui reacts to the news that Talisman Energy will leave Achuar ancestral territory
"We have fought long and hard against Talisman's drilling in our territory because of the negative environmental and social impacts we have seen from oil drilling around the world," said Peas Peas Ayui, President of the National Achuar Federation.
Talisman Withdrawing from Peru, Says Unable to Build "Material Resource"
Canadian Business | Calgary, Canada – Talisman Energy Inc., which switched CEOs earlier this week, says it plans to wind down its operations in Peru as it was unable to big enough resource position there.
Talisman Energy Leaving Peru as It Continues to Shed Assets
Reuters | Canada's Talisman Energy Inc is giving up its eight-year-long effort to produce oil in Peru, the company said on Thursday, as it continues to shed assets in a bid to boost its share price.
Talisman Energy Withdraws from Peruvian Amazon
Achuar people celebrate a major victory for indigenous rights
Calgary, Canada – Today Talisman Energy announced its decision to cease oil exploration activities in the Peruvian Amazon and to exit the country upon completion of ongoing commercial transactions. "Now that Talisman is leaving we can focus on achieving our own vision for development and leave a healthy territory for future generations,"...
Support the Achuar Any Way You Can
After observing the Achuar's peaceful and pure way of living off the land and how they care for the rainforest, I am deeply moved and inspired to help however I can in their fight to get Talisman to leave the Amazon and their lives in peace. Please join me in this fight.
Three Years after the Tragedy of Bagua and Little Has Changed
Three years ago yesterday, Peruvian police opened fire on a group of protesters near the town of Bagua in northern Peru. The violent clashes that ensued left 34 dead and over 200 injured in the worst violence in recent history.
The Age of Extreme Oil: "This Used to Be a Forest?"
The region now resembles the Sahara – fine sand left behind by evaporated tailings ponds stretching into a treeless horizon.
The Globe and Mail | "All human technology fails," said Ampush Ayui Chayat, an Achuar delegate from Perú. "Talisman has insisted their new technology will change everything. But if this is how Canadians let oil companies operate in their own land, how can we trust them in ours?"
Talisman Energy Stirs Resistance
Indigenous Peruvians accuse company of creating tension for access to jungle
Fast Forward Weekly | "This is the fourth time a commission of Achuar leaders are coming here to Calgary to speak about the same thing. The Achuar people affiliated with FENAP are reclaiming their territorial rights. There is no space for Talisman Energy to enter."
Indigenous Peruvian Community Locked in Dispute with Oil Company
IPS | Toronto, Canada – An indigenous group in the Amazon rain forest took its anti-oil message to Canada in a case rife with accusations of social and environmental damage that highlights the issue of securing consent prior to commencing exploration operations.
Investor's Eye on the Amazon
In this Spring edition of Investor's Eye on the Amazon, we would like to draw your attention to several investor resolutions at Chevron, news that Talisman Energy may pull out of Peru altogether, and protests by Vale shareholders over its huge investments in disastrous projects like Brazil's Belo Monte dam.
Talisman's Very Bad Day
CEO John Manzoni's mouth was frozen in an outraged pout, as if he were undergoing some unspeakably undignified surgery. His meeting with the face-painted Achuar leaders was not going well at all.
Achuar Leaders Demand Talisman Vacate Peruvian Amazon
Canadians support Achuar outside AGM, call on Talisman to respect indigenous rights
Interviews, hi-res photos & b-roll available upon request
Calgary, Canada – Canadians rallied in support around Peruvian indigenous leaders who spoke out against Talisman in the company's Annual General Meeting of shareholders today.
This Used to Be Forest
The Achuar people live on both sides of the Peru-Ecuador border in the Amazon rainforest. Since 2004, Calgary-based Talisman Energy has been drilling exploratory wells in a remote watershed in the heart of Achuar territory – despite strong opposition from the people who live there.
Return of the Achuar to Turtle Island
Whereas oil companies want to operate with impunity in indigenous territories, we help courageous communities bring their demands directly to their corporate headquarters. This time, it's Talisman Energy, which has long held designs on the oil within Achuar lands.
Amazon Watch's 2012 Priorities
Learn more about the biggest issues facing the Amazon rainforest and its indigenous peoples in 2012 and how Amazon Watch is focusing on them.
Achuar Leaders Take Their Cause to Canada
Four Achuar leaders traveled from deep in the Amazon rainforest to Canada to confront Talisman Energy for drilling for oil in their ancestral territory.
