PERU-OIL/INDIGENOUS-NEGOTIATIONS Peruvian indigenous leaders warn tribes at risk from oil exploration in the Amazon

Record ID: 344650

  • Title: PERU-OIL/INDIGENOUS-NEGOTIATIONS Peruvian indigenous leaders warn tribes at risk from oil exploration in the Amazon
  • Date: 6th February 2015
  • Summary: LIMA, PERU (FEBRUARY 05, 2015) (REUTERS) INDIGENOUS LEADERS DURING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT OF THE CUENCA DEL MARANON INDIGENOUS GROUP, ALFONSO LOPEZ, SAYING: "There is crude oil on the surface of the streams of our rivers. Each day that passes our brothers are getting sick, impoverishing our territories where we work. Animals are disappearing, animals are spoilt because of the water they drink. It's spoiling the fish that we eat and the air we breathe. We are not against any activity that generates economic resources for the state which calls for development in cities. However, we are not in favour of an activity which is killing us slowly over time and that is destroying our generations." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT OF THE CUANCA DE CORRIENTES INDIGENOUS GROUP, CARLOS SANDI, SAYING: "I ask them respectfully, I don't know if there's medicine or injections to cure against heavy metals like lead and cadmium. I believe there is no way out. This is why I stress again that we're condemned to die but we want them to look after us, that facilities are given to the people so they feel they're looked after."
  • Embargoed: 21st February 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Peru
  • Country: Peru
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVADOZ9PVZX7RYR6JZHEMWF1FV00
  • Story Text: Indigenous leaders in Peru's Pacaya Samiria National Reserve told media on Thursday (February 05) that traditional tribal lands are at risk from crude oil spills into their rivers and streams, posing health risks to those in the country's Amazon region.
    The accusations come amidst a stand off between indigenous communities and the Pluspetrol energy firm as protesters occupy 14 petroleum wells for more than a week in a bit to halt production and get their concerns heard.
    The protest, which began on January 26, has halted 3,100 barrels of crude output per day as local indigenous groups press for compensation for land use and contamination allegedly caused by the oil installations.
    But leader of the Cuenca del Maranon indigenous group, Alfonso Lopez, said protesters are not against development but warned oil extraction activities were slowly killing many.
    "There is crude oil on the surface of the streams of our rivers. Each day that passes our brothers are getting sick, impoverishing our territories where we work. Animals are disappearing, animals are spoilt because of the water they drink. It's spoiling the fish that we eat and the air we breathe. We are not against any activity that generates economic resources for the state which calls for development in cities. However, we are not in favour of an activity which is killing us slowly over time and that is destroying our generations," he said.
    Pluspetrol operates the 1-AB oil block located in the Amazon rainforest in northern Peru. The field produces between 15,000 and 17,000 barrels per day, or about a quarter of the country's relatively small output.
    Protesters argue the company has been using indigenous lands without asking the communities or offering fair compensation, and has been slow to clean up oil spills and leaks. Talks with authorities have been ongoing to resolve the dispute.
    "I ask them respectfully, I don't know if there's medicine or injections to cure against heavy metals like lead and cadmium. I believe there is no way out. This is why I stress again that we're condemned to die but we want them to look after us, that facilities are given to the people so they feel they're looked after," said Carlos Sandi, president of the Cuanca de Corrientes indigenous group.
    As tensions rise over the matter, indigenous community members have seized oil wells and valves and set up makeshift camps close to the oil installations in protest.
    Request s to interview Pluspetrol have yet to be returned.
    Last year, Pluspetrol's output from 1-AB dropped after different native communities took control of facilities for about a week.
    Peru is rife with social conflicts, especially over natural resources and environmental concerns.
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