By Cintia Garcia

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BRASILIA, BRAZIL—Federal prosecutors announced on Wednesday that they have asked a judge to file corruption charges against ex-Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Prosecutors have also charged his wife and six other officials. A judge will determine in the next few days whether to formally charge Lula.

Federal Prosecutors have been investigating Lula and his wife for not declaring to the government their ownership of a luxury home in Guaruja. The charges accuse Lula of illegally receiving from the construction company, O.A.S., $1.1 million towards improvements and expenses for the property in question. In addition, the complaint claimed that Lula received illicit payments, kickbacks and campaign donations paid by O.A.S. in order to obtain public contracts from Brazil’s oil giant Petrobras. The complaint continues to state that Lula did this in order to maintain his party in power. Prosecutors do not claim that Lula kept the money obtained from O.A.S. but that he distributed the money among his party members, lawmakers, and oil executives. The prosecutors are demanding Lula to pay back the money obtained.

Deltan Dallagnol, a prosecutor in the case, stated in a conference on Wednesday that “Lula was the big boss of the Petrobras corruption scheme. Lula was on top of the power pyramid. Lula appointed several senior executives at Petrobras so that they could raise funds for the governing coalition. Without Lula’s decision power, it would be impossible for this scheme to exist.”

Lula denied the charges. His attorney’s released a statement claiming that the charges “attack the democratic rules of law and intelligence of Brazilian citizens.” He has denied ownership of the property in dispute and claimed his innocence. Lula is already set to stand trial for obstructing the investigation into the Petrobras scheme. Lula was in presidency from 2003-2010 and a beloved leader. His successor and protégé, Dilma Rousseff, was impeached from office last month.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera—Brazil: Ex-President Lula Charged in Corruption Probe—14 September 2016.

BBC—Brazil ex-President Lula and Wife Face Charges in Corruption Scandal—14 September 2016.

The New York Times—‘Lula,’ Brazil’s Ex-President, is Charged With Corruption—14 September 2016.

By Cintia Garcia

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA—The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC) has released the first group of child soldiers in accordance to the peace accord signed last month. A total of 13 children were released on Saturday. The FARC claims to have 21 child soldiers in its ranks under the age of fifteen.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) received the child soldiers and gave them mental and physical evaluations. Of the 13 children, eight of them have been handed over to UNICEF Colombia—the remaining five will also be given to UNICEF. The privacy of the children, including their identity, have been kept under discretion in order to successfully complete the mission. The ICRC stated that, “The girls and boys were received in establishments suitable for the process of reestablishment of their rights so that they are able to develop in the best conditions possible.” The ICRC confirmed that the ultimate goal in the process is reunification with their families. The Colombian High Commissioner for Peace, Sergio Jaramillo, stated, “They are going to gradually leave the camps in different regions of the country. It’s not going to be all at once—it is a process and this the first phase.” According to the Secretary-General’s Special representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui, confirmed that both the Government and FARC agreed on the details on Tuesday of the release and reintegration of the children in compliance with their best interest.

FARC has been known for forcing children to become soldiers, a human rights violation. In some cases, minors have been kidnapped while others have joined willingly. Colombian sources have claimed that half of all FARC members were recruited as children. The release of the child soldiers comes a month after the historic peace accord was reached in Havana, Cuba. In the course of the 52 year conflict between the Colombian government and FARC, 220,000 people have been killed.

For more information, please see:

BBC—Colombia Farc Rebels Hand Over Child Soldiers—11 September 2016.

CNN—Colombia’s Farc Rebels Release Child Soldiers in Potential Peace Deal—10 September 2016.

UN News Centre—Colombia: UN Official Welcomes Start of Reintegration of Children from FARC-EP on Saturday—8 September 2016.

By Cintia Garcia

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

Buenos Aires, Argentina—Large oil companies are facing resistance against fracking from the Mapuche indigenous community located in the northern Patagonia region of Argentina. The Mapuche are claiming that their natural resources are being polluted as a result of gas extraction techniques.

The region targeted by the oil companies is known as Vaca Muerte in the northern province of Neuqen. It is the second largest hydrocarbon reserve in the world following the United States according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency. But the region is also home to various indigenous families who claim that the pollution is contaminating their drinking and farming water. Albino Campo, the leader of a Mapuche community, Lof Campo Maripe, told BBC that, “The Mapuche people are angry. We feel like they have enslaved our land. It’s as if someone came into your house without asking. They have contaminated everything.” Campo also stated that their pipes and water used to be clear, but now the pipes are covered with black grease. In addition to black pipes, the water deposited from the pipes contains murky residue. The Mapuche also claim that the contaminated water is causing birth defects among their farm animals. According to BBC, Conservationist groups are also joining the movement demanding an end to fracking in indigenous territory, farming land, nature reserves, urban areas, and sites near water resources such as rivers, lakes, and lagoons.

The Vaca Muerte region is enticing for oil companies because it is an opportunity for Argentina to become self sufficient for many years to come. Fracking in the area could extract enough oil to cover the demands in Argentina providing cheap energy. Pro-government Congressman Eduardo Amadeo stated that, “Argentina needs oil and gas. You cannot stop production for 45 million people because one or two thousand people feel that their rights are affected.” The YPF and Chevron have the strongest partnership in the region. Chevron has agreed to invest 16 billion in the development through its partnership. YPF and Chevron have drilled 420 wells and are expected to drill 200 more. The companies have denied the allegations of contamination.

For more information, please see:

BBC—Mapuche Community in Argentina Fights Fracking Site—5 September 2016

Humanosphere—Argentina’s Indigenous Communities Unite to Stop Fracking—7 September 2016

Telesur—Mapuches Fight Back Agaisnt Fracking in Argentine Patagonia—7 September 2016

By Cintia Garcia

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BRASÍLIA, BRAZIL—The Brazilian Senate voted 61 to 20 to impeach Dilma Rousseff from her term as president. After a long impeachment trial, Dilma Rousseff was found guilty of manipulating the federal budget.

In order to impeach Dilma Rousseff, two-thirds of senators—54 out of 81—was needed to make her impeachment final. Also held was a vote to strip Dilma Rousseff of her rights to run for office. The second vote did not pass, the senate opposed with 42 in favor, 36 opposed and 3 abstentions—she will be allowed to run for office in the future. Although she was removed from office in May, the impeachment process began eight months ago. The vice president, Michel Temer, became interim president after her removal. He was sworn in as president following the vote on Wednesday afternoon for the remainder of her term, which ends in 2018. The end of Dilma Rousseff’s term also marks the end of the 13-year reign of the Leftist Workers’ Party. Under President Temer, the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party will take over and shift the government to the right.

Dilma Rousseff continues to claim her innocence, stating, “When Brazil or when a president is impeached for a crime that they have not committed, the name we have for this in democracy—its not an impeachment, it is a coup.”

She was first elected to the presidency in 2011 and was reelected in 2014. Her approval ratings during her second term dropped due to an economic downturn when inflation and unemployment rates began to surge upward.

President Michel Temer enters his term with low approval rates and scandal. Most recently, Temer appointed an all male cabinet and no Afro-Brazilian ministers, causing an uproar in Brazil since 51 percent of Brazilians identify themselves as black or mixed race. Furthermore, President Temer has appointed new cabinet members and office holders that have resigned due to anti-corruption accusations—including attempts to intervene in the investigation of the oil company Petrobras.

For more information, please see:

CNN—Brazil’s Senate Ousts Dilma Rousseff in Impeachment Vote—31 August 2016.

New York Times—Dilma Rousseff is Ousted as Brazil’s President in Impeachment Vote—31 August 2016.

The Washington Post—Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff Ousted in Impeachment Vote—31 August 2016.