Today, the Huaorani are threatened by the oil industry. Although the
government has granted the Huaorani land titles over 672.000 hectares,
(about half their traditional territory), they do not have the right to
the decide how to use the resources under the ground.
The American oil company MAXUS holds a 200.000 hectare concession to
exploit oil. Most of that concession is in the Huaorani homeland. (The
french company Elf Aquitaine, and the Brazilian company Braspetro also
hold concessions in the Huaorani territory).
At the moment the company is building a road into the Huaorani territory
to facilitate its operation. The road will attract colonists and will
destroy huge tracts of one of the richest rainforest in the world.
Eventually the road will cross the Yasuni National Park.
Through their national organization ONHAE, (Organizacion de la
Nacionalidad Huaorani de la Amazonia Ecuatoriana), they are demanding:
- A moratorium to the oil exploitation by MAXUS in Huaorani
territory.
- The suspension of any further work of the road which will
cross Huaorani territory.
If you want to support the struggle of the Huaorani people, please send
a support fax protesting for the oil development in the Huaorani
territory to:
Arq. Sixto Duran Ballen Mr.C.L.Blackburn
Presidente Constitucional President
Republica del Ecuador Maxus Energy Corporation
FAX: 593-2-580-751 FAX: 214-979-1977
with a copy to:
Campana Amazonia por la Vida.
FAX: 593-2-506-617/ 593-2-550-658
(ref.: Byron Real, CORDAVI - E-LAW Ecuador, via ejohn@igc.apc.org)