Achuar leaders visit Houston to discuss oil drilling in the Amazon
by Gislaine/RoB Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006 at 10:25 AM

Two Achuar indigenous leaders from Peru came to Houston to talk about the effects of oil drilling in their Amazon territories. The Achuar recently gained two victories against major oil companies in the region. Reps from Amazon Watch and the two indigenous leaders spoke to a full room at the Artery on Monday, December 11.... story by Gislaine/photos by RoB.

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Two Achuar indigenous leaders from Peru talked about the effects of oil drilling in the Amazon during an event held at the Artery on Monday, December 11. Representatives from Amazon Watch were also there to share the details of two recent victories the Achuar won against oil companies in Peru.

Oil drilling in the Amazon

An Apu, or tribal leader, from one of the Achuar communities spoke first. In his native language, he said they’d traveled far to come here and thanked everyone for supporting them. He said that since oil companies have come into their territory (during the 1970s), their resources have been destroyed. “We don’t want any more companies,” he said. “We want to defend our right to leave our children with healthy land.”

Gonzalo, vice president of the Achuar Federation of the Corrientes River, demanded that no more companies come into the region, and that no companies should be let in without consulting the indigenous people living in those territories.

Resistance and Victory

In October 2006, 31 Achuar communities and over 100 leaders united to resist the oil companies and demand change. For two weeks, they blocked roads, airports and rivers and were able to completely halt 50% of the oil processes in Peru. They also split up 800 men, women, and children into groups of 25 to cut all the electricity wires running to oil wells in their lands.

At one point, the government sent in over 200 police officers to stop one of those blockades. The Achuar refused to leave, saying that they were willing to die for their land and people. In the end, they were able to convince the government forces to retreat. A couple days later, government officials and company representatives met with the Achuar leaders to discuss their demands.

Leila from Amazon Watch gave a run down of the two victories won by the united Achuar communities. Earlier this month, the US oil company Oxy said it would be ending its activities and leaving Peru. Additionally, the Peruvian government and Argentina-based company Pluspetrol, which is currently drilling in the territory, agreed to almost all of the demands put forth by the Achuar.

They agreed to undertake 100% of reinjection of the toxic formation waters back into the ground within a year and will set aside $25 million for remediation services. From now on, 5% of all state royalties from oil production will be used for community development in those territories. Also, $1 million will be set aside for emergency food and aid for the next year, and they’ve also agreed to build a permanent hospital.

The health benefits won are crucial. Leila said that in May 2006, the Peruvian Ministry of Health conducted a blood study of the region. They found that nearly 100% of those people tested had levels of lead and cadmium in their blood that exceeded the normal limit. Lack of potable water and destruction of wildlife have also led to severe health problems needing immediate medical attention.

A combination of public pressure and corporate responsibility helped the Achuar achieve their victories, said Leila. She also noted all the publicity they gained when Q'orianka Kilcher, the 16 year old actress who played Pocahantas in "The New World," held a press conference in support of the Achuar. Kilcher is of Quechua/Huachipaeri Indian descent and much of her family resides in Peru.

The Houston Link: Pressuring ConocoPhillips

Amazon Watch came to Houston earlier this year for the ConocoPhillips shareholder’s meeting. ConocoPhillips, an oil company based out of Houston, currently holds over 8 million acres in the Achuar Territory. Kevin from Amazon Watch said that he’s been trying to get in touch with the company, but they haven’t responded to his calls.

They said that Amazon Watch will probably be back in Houston for the next ConocoPhillips shareholders meeting which will be held at the end of April/beginning of May.

Go to Amazon Watch for background information and the latest updates on anti-oil drilling projects in the Amazon.

Coverage of the May 2006 ConocoPhillips Protest

Amazon Watch in Houston 2003

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