Today the Indigenous occupation at Cargill’s grain terminal in Santarém entered its 20th day, deepening the movement’s standoff with the Lula administration over plans to dredge the Tapajós and privatize Amazonian rivers.
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Indigenous Peoples Block Access to Santarém Airport in Protest of Tapajós River Dredging
Indigenous Peoples from the Tapajós region blocked the main access road to Santarém International Airport today, escalating a mobilization ongoing since January 22.
Amazon Watch Reaction To Petro-Trump Meeting at the White House
Yesterday’s meeting between Colombian President Petro and Donald Trump offers hope but doesn’t guarantee an improvement in the relationship between the two leaders.
Indigenous Protest Enters Second Week as Brazil Faces Pressure Over Amazon Waterway Decree
Munduruku leaders join growing Indigenous blockade against Amazon River dredging and privatization
On the 13th day blockading Cargill’s grain terminal in Santarém, Indigenous protestors are demanding in-person dialogue with Brazil's federal government, following its failure to send representatives to a meeting last week.
Amazonian Indigenous Blockade of Key Cargill Terminal Reaches One Week
For the past week, Indigenous peoples representing 14 ethnicities from the Lower and Middle Tapajós River region have blockaded facilities operated by agribusiness multinational Cargill in Santarém, protesting industrial interventions designed to accelerate agro-commodity exports.
Amazon Watch is building on more than 28 years of radical and effective solidarity with Indigenous peoples across the Amazon Basin.
Amazonian Indigenous Peoples Void Belo Sun’s Consultation, Threatening Mega-mine’s Approval
Juruna and Arara peoples formally revoke consultations used by Canadian company to justify licensing of its Volta Grande gold mine in Brazil’s Xingu region
“Prior consultation is a binding requirement established by the Federal Regional Court and an indispensable condition for the environmental licensing process to move forward.“
Brazil’s Senate Rams Through Constitutional Amendment Imperiling Indigenous Lands and Communities
Mining companies stand to benefit as Indigenous organizations warn of impending human rights and environmental disaster
Brazil’s largest Indigenous organizations warn that the amendment dismantles the country’s constitutional framework for territorial protection.
Ecuador’s Government Celebrates Its Defeat in Chevron Arbitration While the Company Applauds a $220 Million Award
Communities won their lawsuit, yet the country is being forced to pay the company responsible for one of the worst environmental crimes in the Amazon.
Amazon Watch Responds to Reports That Ecuador Told To Pay $220 Million to Chevron
“A debt is owed to the Amazonian families still waiting for truth, justice, and full reparation."
JPMorgan Chase Quietly Adds Restrictions to Fossil Fuel Financing in the Amazon Rainforest
At COP30, experts acknowledge this step and underscore the need for a policy that fully ends financing to oil and gas in the Amazon
“Years of steadfast organizing under the leadership of Amazonian Indigenous peoples have successfully pressured JPMorgan, the world’s largest fossil financier, to take a crucial step towards recognizing Indigenous and human rights."
Amazon Free from Extraction: Ending Oil, Gas, Mining, and Agribusiness on Indigenous Lands
COP30 press conference featuring Amazonian Indigenous leaders from Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru
As COP30 enters its second week of negotiations, Amazonian Indigenous leaders arrive in Belém after leading powerful and courageous actions.
Major River Mobilization from the Amazon Arrives at COP30
More than 200 boats carrying Indigenous, riverine, and social movement leaders occupied Guajará Bay in a historic act for the Amazon and climate justice. Chief Raoni Metuktire reminded the world of a simple truth: “The forest lives because we are here. If they remove the people, the forest will die with them.”
“The presence of Indigenous Peoples at COP30 is very important, but the struggle doesn’t end here."
Global Artists and Cultural Influencers Support Historic Indigenous Declaration
The peaceful protest was a powerful statement from Indigenous and traditional communities about the impacts of Brazil’s grain export corridors on rivers, fisheries, territories, and local livelihoods.
Indigenous Peoples Intercept Soy Barges on the Tapajós River
“There can be no real climate solution while Amazonian rivers are treated merely as grain corridors and the peoples of the Tapajós continue to be denied their right to free, prior, and informed consent.”
The peaceful protest was a powerful statement from Indigenous and traditional communities about the impacts of Brazil’s grain export corridors on rivers, fisheries, territories, and local livelihoods.
Amazon Watch and Allies at COP30 in Belém, Brazil
“COP30 must mark a turning point, from promises to action, from extraction to regeneration, and from political speeches to Indigenous sovereignty.”
Over 130 International Organizations Denounce Escalating State Violence in Ecuador and Call for Global Action to Protect Human Rights
"Peace cannot be imposed by force; it is built on truth, justice, and dialogue."
Stop the Criminalization of Defenders and the Dismantling of Democratic Guarantees in Ecuador
Defending land, water, and life is a legitimate and protected right. It must never trigger reprisals or restrictions.
Ecuador’s Amazon Oil Plans Face Indigenous and Global Opposition
Seven Indigenous nations denounce oil auctions amid state of emergency, as Amazon Watch warns of oil expansion plans and human rights risks during Climate Week in New York
“Indigenous resistance, civil society mobilization, and growing international pressure will continue to expose these projects as illegitimate, unlawful, and unfinanceable.”
“Mining Mafia” Scandal Threatens Brazil’s COP30 Credibility as Police Uncover Massive Fraud
On the eve of the COP30 climate summit, a corruption scandal in Brazil exposes how mining operates outside the law, putting communities and the climate at risk
"These false authorizations not only legalize the advance of destruction, but also put our water, our health, and our food security at risk."
International Organizations Call for Judicial Independence and Respect for Fundamental Rights in Ecuador
The international human rights and civil society organizations that subscribe to this statement express our deep concern about the climate of harassment and pressure currently facing the Constitutional Court of Ecuador.
Amazon Watch Welcomes Historic Conviction of Former Brazilian President Bolsonaro for Coup Plot
"His arrest offers a welcome reprieve for the Amazon and its peoples by weakening the chance that his destructive agenda will return to the region,”
California Senate Passes SR 51, Responding to Indigenous Call to End Amazon Crude Imports
“This is the first step in ending California’s addiction to Amazon crude. Consuming oil from the Amazon is incompatible with climate leadership."
Security at the Amazon’s Breaking Point: Tri-Border Report Spurs Concrete Actions After ATCO Summit
“The tri-border must be the test case: protect defenders, dismantle illicit economies, and pair enforcement with peacebuilding and restoration.”
Indigenous Nations of Ecuador and Peru Reject Cross-Border Oil Deal
“This deal has no consent, no legitimacy, and will face legal and social resistance every step of the way.”
New Report Released: In the Shadows of the State
Illicit Economies and Armed Control in the Triple Border Region of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru
"Peace and security in the Amazon are impossible without Indigenous peoples at the heart of the solution."
Brazil’s Partial Veto of “Devastation Bill” Stops Some Setbacks, but Critical Loopholes Remain
Amazon Watch warns that preserved provisions still threaten Indigenous land rights and environmental protections ahead of COP30
“This soy doesn’t feed our people. We don’t eat soy – it’s for export and corporate profit. Meanwhile, pesticides contaminate our water, our soil, and even the rain. It’s poisoning all of us, not just Indigenous peoples."
Indigenous Women March Against Ferrogrão Railway and “Devastation Bill” in Brazil
Over 5,000 women march in Brazil’s capital to defend their territories and the Amazon ahead of COP30
“This soy doesn’t feed our people. We don’t eat soy – it’s for export and corporate profit. Meanwhile, pesticides contaminate our water, our soil, and even the rain. It’s poisoning all of us, not just Indigenous peoples."
Peru and Ecuador’s Crude Gamble Faces Indigenous Wall of Resistance
Indigenous nations reject Boluarte’s announcement on binational oil pipeline between Petroperú and Petroecuador
“Without our consent, this project has no legitimacy. Investors must be warned: any deal built on rights violations is built on quicksand.”
From Climate Talks To Climate Backlash: Global Citizen NOW Becomes Platform To Oppose Brazil’s Anti-Environment Bill
Indigenous and environmental leaders call on President Lula to veto Bill 2.159/2021 during international event at COP30 host city
"Approving this bill would plunge the planet deeper into climate crisis. President Lula must veto it entirely – as an urgent act of leadership, of climate responsibility, and of defense for life and national sovereignty."
