The Aguaruna and Huambisa Counsel (CAH) representing their Indigenous
communities affected by the current border war between the governments of
Peru and Ecuador is making an urgent plea for support from the international
community. The escalating border war has displaced Huambisa communities
along the Cenepa River and as of 3 days ago has descended upon Santiago
River as well, causing several deaths and injuries to local indigenous
peoples.
The affected Huambisa communities are in an especially precarious position
as much of their lands are still in the process of being titled by the
Peruvian government. With the army's presence ever-increasing in the area
and the prospect of new borders or military boundaries being arbitrarily
re-draw, the need for legally recognized Indigenous control of their
homelands has never been so urgent.
To add insult to injury, other Huambisa communities further down the
Santiago River are facing another round of invasions by foreign oil
companies, this time by Quintana Minerals of Houston, Texas and YPF of
Buenos Aires that acquired the Block 50 concession in December. Despite
strong local opposition, the companies plan to move forward immediately to
drill wildcat exploratory wells near Aguaruna and Huambisa communities and
later build a pipeline through hundreds of kilometers of pristine
rainforest, opening Indigenous lands to colonization. To date, Quintana has
not responded to CAH's request to negotiate the companies' development plans
within Aguaruna and Huambisa territories. With the companies' arrival to
the area expected in the next few weeks, the need to finalize land titling
for all areas concerned is especially urgent.
Given these dire circumstances, THE CONSEJO AGUARUNA AND HUAMBISA IS MAKING
AN URGENT APPEAL FOR $20,000 TO LEGALIZE THE OUTSTANDING REGIONS OF THEIR
HOMELAND IMMEDIATELY. This money will go towards the specific activities of
site inspection, community boundary verfication, legal consultation, and
travel costs to Lima to secure the finalized legal documents.
Already $5,000 has been secured from a U.S. NGO towards this end, but
$15,000 is still urgently needed. To respond, please send donations
directly to CAH's account in Lima (Banco Continental, Miraflores Branch,
Lima Peru, U.S. dollar account #117-2-017688) or contact Shannon Wright or
Beto Borges at Rainforest Action Network for more information
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Amazon Program
Rainforest Action Network
450 Sansome St. Suite 700
San Francisco, CA 94110
415/398-4404, fax 415/3982732
rainforest@igc.apc.org