The delegation made it crystal clear to bank executives and the international stage: “We will not permit new oil extraction. Ever.”
Defend Earth Defenders
The Amazon and its Indigenous communities face a collective threat of land invasions, extractive industries, and mega infrastructure projects that often translate into death threats and violent attacks against those who resist. In order to protect the rights, territories, and environment of Amazonian Earth Defenders, we must fight for legal recognition and enforcement of ancestral territorial rights, implementation of free, prior, and informed consent for megaprojects imposed on Indigenous lands, addressing illegal economies and corruption, among others.
28 Months Later: Aftermath of a Massacre in the Colombian Amazon
Following the government killing of a Kichwa Indigenous leader, his successor organizes for justice and reparations for their community
Deep in the Colombian Amazon, the Indigenous community of Lower Remanso is fighting for truth, justice, and reparations. Two years ago, their leader was one of several civilians killed by the Colombian army.
Award-winning Film “We Are Guardians” Brings the Fight of Indigenous Peoples for the Amazon Rainforest to the Bay Area
Weaving together politics, history, economics, and science, “We Are Guardians” provides an in-depth exploration of the incredibly complex and critical situation, and it is a story of hope and resilience amidst an unfolding crisis.
Strength in Unity: MarAmazonía Alliance Takes on Petroperú at Its Largest Refinery
A campaigner’s account of the groundbreaking MarAmazonía alliance meeting
“Welcome to the oil capital of Perú." It turns out that the city of Talara was where one of the first oil wells was drilled in all of South America, dating back to 1863. The toxic legacy of oil was evident.
Standing with Indigenous Earth Defenders in the Amazon
In the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, Olivia Bisa, the first female president of the Chapra Nation, stands as a beacon of courage and resilience.
Amazon Watch is building on more than 28 years of radical and effective solidarity with Indigenous peoples across the Amazon Basin.
Internal Conflict in Ecuador Brings Significant Risks for Indigenous Peoples
Ecuador has captured international attention with the recent declaration of an “internal armed conflict" in response to elevated violence. This declaration entails significant risks for human rights and Indigenous territories.
Solidarity, Advocacy, and Resistance in the Amazon and Beyond
This solidarity grantmaking is built upon a multi-decade track record as a trusted partner among Indigenous nations and local organizations and guided by the principles and cosmology of Indigenous peoples.
We Stand in Solidarity With the Victims of the Violence Unleashed in Ecuador and Demand That the Government Effectively Address Organized Crime
"We express solidarity with the victims of the violence unleashed in Ecuador and demand that the government effectively address the issue of organized crime. Inflammatory statements and reckless measures are not effective and exacerbate the situation."
Peruvian Congress Just Legalized Deforestation
"Most experts in Peru agree that the interest behind modifying the Forestry Law is to adapt to the new import restrictions of products that deforest the Amazon in the European and U.S. markets in an underhanded way. The authorities of these countries must make a firm statement that they will not ‘fall for’ the game. Millions of hectares of forest...
An Emergency Action Plan to End the Killings in the Peruvian Amazon
In collaboration with AIDESEP and its most affected federations and other allies, we have issued a call to implement and support nine emergency measures aimed at preventing further murders and combating impunity.
Murdered Indigenous Leader Becomes Yet Another Statistic
ORAU and FENACOKA express our deepest condolences to the family, the community, and the Kakataibo people for the cowardly and cruel murder and the irreplaceable loss of their Leader BENJAMIN FLORES RIOS, who was fighting for the care of the entire territory of his community to prevent invaders from entering their land. We also reject and condemn...
Mining Company Belo Sun Sues Environmental Defenders in Intimidation Tactic, NGOs Say
Mongabay | “This is an attempt to silence families and leaders who are on the frontline of the struggle for agrarian reform, and to intimidate national and international networks that monitor and denounce the destruction caused by large enterprises and companies in Volta Grande do Xingu.”
Amazon Emergency: Nine Urgent Measures to Ensure Justice and Effective Protection for Defenders in Peru
Apu Quinto Inuma Alvarado is yet another victim of the violence unleashed in the Peruvian Amazon
The murder of Apu Quinto cannot remain "just another case" that generates indignation and is then forgotten. On the contrary, it is time to assume and declare that the Amazon is in emergency, in order to make the protection of defenders a national and international priority.
“The Amazon Emergency Is a Climate Emergency”
Indigenous leaders at COP 28 call for urgent action to respect Indigenous land rights to protect the Amazon and climate on the path to COP 30 in Brazil
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – As over 70,000 people convene in Dubai for the 28th UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP 28), the Amazon rainforest is on fire and in a severe drought due to deforestation, extractive industries, industrial agriculture, climate change, and other threats.
Indigenous Organization Opposes Sale of Controversial Warintza Mining Project on Their Territory in the Ecuadorian Amazon
“We oppose any entity providing additional investment for this project in our territory or any attempt to sell the project to another company using and promoting the name of the Shuar people.”
New Policy Paper Provides Roadmap to Tackle Organized Crime in the Amazon
Lima, Peru – A new policy paper by Amazon Underworld, Amazon Watch, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, and InfoAmazonia details a roadmap for governments across the region to tackle the ruthless expansion of crime organizations and illicit markets in the most biodiverse region of the world.
Amazon Underworld
Criminal Economies in the World's Largest Rainforest
This report shows how criminal organizations and armed groups have expanded their presence, increased their political control, and diversified their economies in the Amazon with disastrous impacts on Indigenous peoples.
The Growing Threat of Organized Crime in the Amazon
Supporting Indigenous rights and territories is an essential element of any strategy
Organized crime has been present in the region for many years, and it has recently become a major threat to the Amazon and Indigenous rights and territories.
“False Positives” in the Colombian Amazon
Indigenous peoples and others are struggling to protect their ancestral lands, livelihoods, and lives. In doing so, they run afoul of the men with guns who don’t hesitate to threaten and kill.
Amazon in Focus 2023
Over the last year, hope and progress for the future of the Amazon and climate has been restored. With immense joy and pride, we celebrate recent victories to protect Indigenous land rights with the civil society consultation to keep oil in the ground in the Yasuní National Park in Ecuador and the Brazilian Supreme Court ruling declaring “Marco...
Colombian Indigenous People Demand Justice for the 2022 El Remanso Massacre at the IACHR
The Colombian government must address the current situation of violence and humanitarian emergency affecting the inhabitants of the Putumayo department and provide justice for the extrajudicial executions known as “false positives” committed in the rural community of El Remanso, community representatives from the Putumayo region and, accompanying...
Seven Challenges for the New Ecuadorian Government
Ecuador’s powerful business class is in power yet again following the election of Daniel Noboa
We question whether he will prioritize the protection of nature and the rights of Indigenous peoples as he promised during his campaign or – more likely – carry on with the extractivist agenda of prior administrations and continue to disregard Indigenous rights.
Taking on Cargill Alongside the Munduruku People
"We defend our lands not just for our people but for all of humanity. Your company is harming our collective future. We have lived here in the heart of the Amazon for over 4,000 years. But now our world hangs by a thread."
Cargill-MacMillan Family Refuses to Meet With Visiting Indigenous Leader
“It is appalling that an emissary who traveled 4,000 miles to deliver an urgent message from her people would be treated with such dismissal and disrespect.”
Impunity for Loggers Behind Brutal Murders of Four Indigenous Earth Defenders
The abrupt annulment of the 28-year sentences that took families seven years of legal battles to achieve highlights the profound injustice and judicial discrimination they face in Peru
This decision is a strong affront to justice, memory, and the dignity of the victims and their families, who face yet another chapter of legal strife and uncertainty.
Unmasking Canada: Rights Violations Across Latin America
Amazon Watch was joined by more than 50 civil society organizations to compile three critical reports - covering Regional, Amazonian, and Oil and Gas - under the campaign Unmasking Canada: Rights Violations Across Latin America.
The Shuar Arutam People Continue Their Resistance Against Mining
The movement against mining in Ecuador is gaining momentum
This is an important moment for celebration. It is monumental that the PSHA ratified its resistance to mining activity in its territory because the community has faced divide-and-conquer strategies from the mining industry and the Ecuadorian government.
Escalating Violence in Ecuador Threatens Human Rights Defenders and Democracy
Assassination of Fernando Villavicencio marks a new crisis point
“For human rights defenders and Indigenous organizations, the increase in violence implies several risks, as illegal and formal capitals tend to articulate and share interests against those who defend rights and territories."
Illegal Miners Suspected in Killing of Yanomami Indigenous Child and Wounding of Five in Brazilian Amazon
"This tragic attack demonstrates the Brazilian authorities’ ongoing challenges in containing illegal mining on Brazil’s Indigenous territories and guaranteeing the Yanomami community's safety."
