Ecuador: Indigenous leaders mobilize in effort to close bids Amazon area

amazonwatch.org reported through a press release…….. Puyo, Ecuador – Amazonian indigenous leaders mobilized today in the regional capital of Puyo to oppose the Ecuadorian government’s attempts to close bids on eight million acres of its pristine southeastern Amazon. The region is Ecuador’s last remaining tract of virgin rainforest and is home to seven indigenous nationalities. Attempts to lease it have been plagued by a transnational oil spill, global protests, and wary investors.

Nationalities from the proposed oil blocks, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), and the Confederation of Amazonian Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONFENIAE) gathered in the central square of Puyo to oppose the auction that would devastate their communities and their way of life. Franco Viteri, President of CONFENIAE, declared that the nationalities were on alert and would not rest until the oil round was cancelled. He also stated they were willing to mobilize further if needed. Past indigenous mobilizations deposed several sitting presidents and derailed free trade agreements. In a declaration the nationalities promised that they would exercise their constitutional right to “firmly resist any oil companies that try to enter our territories.” Read Article