Leaders from the U’wa tribe of Colombia arrived in Los Angeles yesterday in preparation of a week of activity surrounding Occidental Petroleum’s April 30 annual shareholder meeting in Santa Monica, CA.Shareholders concerned by the ongoing conflict between the U’wa Indians and Occidental Petroleum are sponsoring a
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An International Communique from the Association of Traditional U’WA Authorities
Kerachikara, Sacred U’WA Territory, Colombia -For thousands of years the U’wa people have lived in territories known today as the Departments of Casanare, Arauca, Boyaca, Santander and North of Santander, Colombia.
Case of U.S. Citizens Killed in Colombia
To the Colombian and international media, to governments worldwide, to non-governmental representatives of the international community, and to youth everywhere:I have received the latest news accounts reporting that leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas have attributed the killings of
FARC Admission Cannot Take Place of Investigation Peace in the U'WA Region Requires Suspension of Oil Project
Following yesterday's revelation by leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) that one of its commanders is responsible for the senseless killings of our three friends and colleagues Terence Freitas, Ingrid Washinawatok and Lahe'ena'e Gay, we condemn this act in the strongest terms and demand that perpetrat
U.S. Agency Delays Vote on Financing ENRON’s Controversial Pipeline through Amazon Forest
WHAT At the meeting of its Board of Directors today, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) voted to delay decision on loan guarantees to Enron International for a planned natural gas pipeline that would cut through 200km of primary tropical forest and 100km of pristine wetlands in the Bolivian Amazon.
Amazon Watch is building on more than 28 years of radical and effective solidarity with Indigenous peoples across the Amazon Basin.
U.S. Agency Delays Vote on Financing ENRON’s Controversial Pipeline through Amazon Forest
WHAT: At the meeting of its Board of Directors today, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) voted to delay decision on loan guarantees to Enron International for a planned natural gas pipeline that would cut through 200km of primary tropical forest and 100km of pristine wetlands in the Bolivian Amazon.
U.S. Agency to Vote on Financing Controversial Pipeline Through Endangered Amazon Forest in Bolivia Environmental Groups Warn: Destructive Project Violates OPIC Policies and Clinton’s Pledge
WHAT: On March 9, the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) will consider providing financing – backed by US tax dollars – for a natural gas pipeline that will cut through 200km of primary tropical forest and 100km of pristine wetlands in the Bolivian Amazon.
Investors Get Strong Warning at Energy Conference: "Oil and Gas Projects in the Amazon Carry Major Risks" Clean Energy Investments Urged
Coconut Grove, FL - The international environmental organizations Amazon Watch and Rainforest Action Network (RAN) held a "Project Risk Briefing" on controversial new oil and gas projects showcased at this week's Andean Energy '98 conference.
California's "Project Bandaloop" Sky Dances for an End to the Fossil Fuel Era Photos Available from Reuters Photo TV Footage Available from Reuters Television
Buenos Aires - Last evening, thousands of people watched as sky dancers from California presented "Awakening", a multi-media spectacle of dance and imagery while suspended from the 6-story Law School building outside of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change.
Construction Crews Blocked by Indigenous Protestors in Venezuela Military Tank and Riot Team Sent to Popular Tourist Destination
Since Monday, October 12, more than 250 indigenous residents of the Canaima National Park and surrounding areas of southern Venezuela have been protesting again against the 450-mile power line being built to Brazil. The protests come one month after Venezuelan government unilaterally broke off talks with the Indian leaders.
Venezuelan National Guard Assaults Indigenous Community with Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets for Blocking Construction of Power line
Mapauri, Venezuela - At approximately 3:20 p.m. EST yesterday, the Venezuelan National Guard - with orders from an unidentified source - assaulted residents of Mapauri, a small indigenous community in the State of Bolivar located in the municipality of the Gran Sabana.
Day 11 of Protest in the Venezuelan Amazon: Venezuelan National Guard Brings in Tanks to Disperse Protestors
El Dorado, Venezuela - At approximately 6:30 am (EST) today, fifty members of the Venezuelan National Guard moved into kilometer 16, the site of the 11-day old blockade – to disperse 800 indigenous peoples protesting the construction of a new high voltage power line from Venezuela to Brazil.
Communique from the Pueblo U’wa
Cubara, ColombiaWe, the U’wa, declare to the government and its various entities, to Congress , to the different social organizations, human rights NGO’s, national and international environmentalists, to the oil companies and to the Colombian people in general, that we have united formally behind the stoppages and p
Day 5 - 1,200 Venezuelan Indians Shut-Down Traffic on Highway to Brazil Leaders Announce Blockade to Continue Indefinitely
El Dorado, Venezuela - More than 1,200 Indians from the Imataca and Gran Sabana regions are now gathered at kilometer 16 blocking all traffic along the only highway between Venezuela and Brazil.
Fourth Day: 800 Venezuela Indians Continue Occupation of Highway Indigenous Leaders Hold Press Conference in Caracas on August 7 --- note: Associated Press reporter and photographer in the region---
El Dorado, Venezuela - For the fourth time in the past week, Over 800 indigenous people of the Imataca and Grand Savanna regions are gathered at kilometer 16 of the only highway between Venezuela and Brazil protesting a high voltage electrical transmission line being built through their rainforest homeland.
1,000 Venezuelan Indians Blockade Main Highway to Brazil Protest Marks 500 Years since the Arrival of Columbus to Venezuela --- note: Associated Press reporter and photographer on the scene ---
El Dorado, Venezuela - Just shortly after 1:30 PM (EST) today, nearly 1,000 Pemon Indians of the Imataca and Grand Savanna regions began a blockade of construction crews on the only highway between Venezuela and Brazil.
Indigenous Blockade of the Brazil –Venezuela International Road May Continue This Week Pending Meeting
Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela - The Indigenous Federation of the State of Bolivar said on Friday that hundreds of Pemon Indians are prepared to resume protests over the high voltage power line to Brazil this week pending talks with the Government.
Day 2 - Indigenous Peoples Blockade International Highway In Protest of Guri Electrical Line
El Dorado, Venezuela - The Indigenous Federation of Bolivar State reported that since 6:00 am, Monday morning, July 27, more than 800 members of the indigenous communities of Imataca rainforest and the Grand Savanna have been blockading the International road that connects southern Venezuela to Brazil.
U’wa Tribal Leader to Attend Occidental’s Annual Meeting Press Conference and Native Prayer Circle outside the Shareholder Meeting
Santa Monica, CA - An U’wa tribal leader has traveled to Los Angeles from the rainforest of Colombia in order to attend the annual shareholder meeting of the Occidental Petroleum Corporation.
Seven Arrested at Earth Day Protest in Los Angeles Protesting Occidental Petroleum Project on Sacred U'wa Land in Colombia
Los Angeles – Seven people were arrested this afternoon in front of the LA headquarters of the Occidental Petroleum Corporation (Oxy), protesting the company’s plans to drill for oil on U’wa peoples homeland in Colombia.Protesters installed a 23-foot metal pipeline in the company’s lobby, the end of the pipe ju
Full-page New York Times Ad Warns Investors: Occidental’s Amazon Oil Project is a "Death Sentence" for the U’wa Tribe
In a full-page ad appearing in the New York Times today, an international coalition of twenty-seven environmental, human rights, and religious organization warned that Occidental Petroleum’s "Samoré" oil project is a death sentence for the U’wa people.
Environmentalists Disrupt Trade Conference in Atlanta US Government: Don't "Fast-Track" the Destruction of the Amazon & Our Climate
Atlanta, Georgia - Demanding an end to "fast-track" destruction of the Amazon and the Earth's climate, environmentalists today disrupted a US government-sponsored conference designed to promote US investment in Latin America.
Tribe Threatens Mass Suicide U’wa Chief to Deliver a Personal Message to Occidental Petroleum and Shell (Entrevistas en Espanol)
WHO: Roberto Cobaria, President of the Traditional U’wa Authority, an indigenous tribe from the Cloud Forest joins scores of demonstrators and other concerned members of the Los Angeles environmental, human rights, religious, legal and academic communities calling on Occidental and Shell International to abandon plan
Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, Yanomami Indigenous Leader from Brazil
TO ALL WHO WISH TO HEAR METhe biggest problem for the Yanomami Indians now are the garimpeiro (goldminers) who are in our land, and the illnesses they bring with them. The government's National Health Foundation say that 1300 Yanomami had got malaria up until May this year.
