South America

Expected Confrontation Between Ecuadorian Tribe And Oil Company Delayed

By Brendan Oliver Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America 

QUITO, Ecuador – On January 15th, the state sponsored Oil Company Petroamazona was set to begin excavating the small island of Sani Isla, a tropical rain forest attached to the nearby Yasuni National Park. However the inhabitants of this bio-diverse forest announced their intentions to fight the oil company to the death. The indigenous Kichwa tribe stated they defend their territory and “stand should to shoulder to prevent anyone from passing.” Human rights activists feared a slaughter as the oil-company has the backing of a private security force and the might of Ecuadorian army. However January 15th, came and went with the Oil Company refraining from landing on the island and beginning their exploration.

Yasuni National Park sits on top of $7.2 billion dollars worth of oil and is the target of oil expansionists. (Photo Courtesy of the Guardian)

The Kichwa Indians one of the last isolated and nomadic tribes left in Ecuador backed up their promise by arming themselves. While only decades ago still using blow guns to fight illegal loggers, they indigenous tribe has since assorted a cache of machetes and machine guns with the intent on using them against anyone they deem to be trespassing illegally on their land. They promised that while they would not initiate the hostilities, they would defend their ancestral home from the oil company’s’ expansion.

Petroamazona claims that they have a legitimate claim on the land. According to the Guardian early offers from the oil company included a new school, increased healthcare and university spots for the villages children. But it seems a vocal minority within the tribe pushed the deal through, with 80% of the 400 villagers resisting the deal. The deal that Petroamazona is relying on was a contract signed by the chief of the village, despite having no authorization to grant the rights. In 2009 the Kichwa community delivered a document to Petroamazonas stating they would never hand over the Sani Isla land for development, a document that would be legitimate under indigenous law. However the Ecuadorian government has claimed that due to changes in the national constitution has rendered it invalid.

Kildar Gualinga, the community’s secretary has stated that “People think its dishonest and the oil company is treating them like dogs. It does not respect the land or the planet. There is no deal, nothing is agreed. The people do not want the oil company. They’re very upset and worried”

While Petroamazonas did not press their confrontation on Tuesday, they are still trying to secure exploration rights to $7.2 billion dollar oil reserves hidden under the rain forest.

For further information, please see:

First Peoples – Kichwa Community’s Fight To The Death On Hold, For Now – 18 January 2013

The Guardian – Ecuadorian Tribe Gets Reprieve From Oil Intrusion – 17 January 2013

Digital Journal – Kichwa Amazon Tribe Fights Big Oil To Keep Rainforest Safe – 16 January 2013

The Guardian – Ecuadorean Tribe Will ‘Die Fighting’ To Defend Rainforest – 13 January 2013

Brazil To Force Drug Treatment On Users In Cracklands

By Brendan Oliver Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, Please See:

BRASILIA, Brazil – In the mid-morning air they emerge, staggering and glassy eyed, no real sense of direction as they shamble in dirty clothes. This is a “crackland” in Brazil, a gathering of hundreds of users of the narcotic ‘crack’ the cocaine derivative that plunged the United States in the 1990’s into a crisis that fueled today’s modern drug war. Now in Brazil something similar is happening, but wider and less hidden. Daily, hundreds of users gather in these ‘cracklands’ to openly use and sell drugs, either oblivious to the police watching or uninterested, another black eye on the South American country still reeling from the escalation in violence and murders in Sao Paulo.

Crack use has become painfully public in many Brazilian slums. (Photo Courtesy of AP)

Considered to be the world’s top consumer of crack cocaine with over a million users, Brazil says it’s ready to crack down on the crack epidemic. Before the World Cup arrives in 2014, officials have pledged to clean up the streets, and that means violent sweeps by Brazilian police officers.

The sometimes violent sweeps reignited debate as to whether or not there are better ways to clean up the Brazilian streets. Early January 10 a ten-year old addict was living in a ‘crackland’ when police arrived and scattered the mass of addicts. The boy was already a casualty of the cruel drug, his father dead and his mother an addict he left home days before to consume crack in the makeshift shanty towns. His older brother found him, but was unable to convince him to return home. During the raid he was trampled by the fleeing addicts, with his name added to the list of casualties claimed by the drug.

But sweeps and dismantling of these makeshift areas are not a permanent solution, and to continue in its fight against the addicts of the city Sao Paulo, officials and police will begin rounding up addicts and forcing them into treatment centers, with their consent or without. Rio de Janeiro and a few other cities have already been doing this with minors, a program heavily criticized by Human Rights Organizations. The plan set to be enforced is not said to be widespread however. Justice Secretary of Sao Paulo, Elois de Sousa stated that “These are extreme cases, and we cannot just let people die,” explaining that the forced treatment program will only be used for the worst cases, and for individuals whose requested they be brought in and cleaned up.

For further information, please see:

France 24 – Sao Paluo To Force Treatment On Crack Addicts – 11 January 2013

Reuters – Boy’s Death Highlights Brazil’s Raids On “Cracklands” – 10 January 2013

NPR – Brazil’s Drug Epidemic: Welcome To ‘Crackland’ – 1 January 2013

Huffington Post – Crack In Brazil: Authorities Debate Treatment Options For Crack Epidemic – 30 December 2012

Falkland Exchange Leads To Increased Troop Deployment

By Brendan Oliver Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America 

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – What began last week as a simple diplomatic barrage of propaganda between Argentina and Great Britain has seemingly escalated between the two nations as the British have begun growing their armed garrison in support of the Falkland islands.

Argentina dismayed by UK’s Assertion of Falklanders Independence. (Photo Courtesy of Falklands)

President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner reignited Argentina’s claim on the Falklands Islands with a strongly worded letter posted in British newspapers early last week.  Whether she believed that the United Kingdom (UK) would budge is irrelevant as Prime Minister Cameron David immediately responded with a resounding NO, standing by their resolve to protect the Falklands, for as long as the islanders wished to remain a part of the UK.

Despite the simple diplomatic statement made by the Prime Minister, ‘The Daily Mail’, a popular British tabloid responded with scathing article in a Buenos Aires newspaper summed up with the with simple message “Hands Off!”

While most would think this simple exchange would be nothing new in the thirty years since the British-Argentinian War, there has been no real decision on with the Islanders Sovereignty. The Argentinians maintain a claim to the islands and an “end of colonialism”, The UK has maintained their position that they have a legitimate claim, and the backing of the islanders.

Many believe that oil is the main reasoning behind the Kircheners push. With the Argentinians economy at a decade low, with only 2% growth, a staggering inflation growth, wand large scale riots and work stoppages many believe that this new national push is a distraction from their domestic issues.

The Daily Mail article seems to have stirred up trouble, and individuals and business on both sides have taken the bait. Argentinians hurled insults and verbal abuse at cruise line passengers attempting to disembark at Buenos Aires, with many activist burning the Union “Jack” Flag. In response, numerous European cruise lines have stopped servicing the area harming the countries tourism.

While Britain already keeps a garrison of about 1,2000 troops, this increase has already been meet with a weary statement by President Kirchner  “We ask Mr Cameron not to use our legitimate and peaceful claim … as an excuse to maintain the weapons industry,” citing the belief of Britain militarizing the South Atlantic.

Prime Minister Cameron responded with a statement concerning the Islanders, “They’re holding a referendum this year and I hope the president of Argentina will listen to that referendum and recognize it is for the Falkland Islanders to choose their future, and as long as they choose to stay with the United Kingdom they have my 100 per cent backing.”

For more information, please see:

Pagina 12 – Britain Will Send 150 Soldiers To The Falklands – 9 January 2013

Marti Noticias – London and Beunos Aires Again Battling Over Falklands – 9 January 2013

The Telegraph – Argentina Condemns David Cameron’s ‘military threats’ Over Falklands – 7 January 2013

The Telegraph – David Cameron: We Would Fight A Falklands Invasion – 6 January 2013

The Telegraph – Falklands: Argentines Abuse Cruise Line Passengers In Buenos Aires –  5 January 2013

Christmas In Argentina Sees Country Wide Looting

By Brendan Oliver Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – For the first time in eleven years Argentina has succumbed to massive looting when on Dec. 20, groups of masked individuals began invading and looting six supermarkets in San Carlos de Bariloche. The looting spread throughout the province as stores in major cities from Rosario to Santa Fe were set ablaze before looters began looting Beunos Aires.

An Argentinian supermarket after looters ransacked the market. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

Early Thursday President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner dispatched a regiment of 400 militarized police before the country descended into chaos. Since then, the police have been mobilized in all areas experiencing this country wide state of mayhem.

Historians have noted the similarities between those broke out in December 2001, which resulted in some 40 deaths and the resignation of then-president Fernanndo de la Rúa. The rioting was seen as a direct result from the collapse of the banking industry, the recession and country default on public debts.

While Fernandez was quick to question the Labor unions involvement with the organization, leaders from the Federation of Argentine Workers and the general Confederation of Labor Hugo Moyano were quick to deny responsibility, claiming “This is probably triggered by the difficult situation the people of Argentina are facing.”

President Fenandez may have been right to question the Labor unions, who late last month organized mass work stoppages which caused some spare looting. Workers are struggling as the economy failed to expand beyond 2% this year, despite a steady growth rate of about 8% for the past ten years. This year has also marked a stark increase in food prices with inflation increasing well above 20%.

Activists who have used similar tactics in the past tend to traditionally block access to supermarkets during December and demand free food. Beyond the millions of rioters in 2001, these protests rarely turn violent.

While the militarized police force were forced to employ the use of tear gas and rubber bullets to turn looters back, gunshot victims are not immediately associated with the polices use of force. At least 3 people were shot and killed during the initial clash on Thursday evening, with another 21 injured as a result of the violence.

As the police have attempted to restore order, hundreds have been arrested for their participation and aggression among the mayhem.

While another blow to President Fernandez’s waning popularity, her administration has stressed that despite complaints about food prices that is not what is being stolen. Looters have been using the opportunity to steal computers and televisions, not food staples as one would expect from a protest against economic policies.

 For further information, please see:

Rosario – She Died A Woman Who Was Shot In The Looting – 26 December 2012

World War 4 Report – Argentina: Massive Looting Returns After 11 Years – 25 December 2012

BBC – Argentina Looting Spreads To Buenos Aires Province – 22 December 2012

The Wall Street Journal – Looting Tests Leader In Argentina – 21 December 2012

Prisoners Finally Charged for Paraguay Land Skirmish

By Brendan Oliver Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America 

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay – Six months ago, on June 15,  violence ripped through the small land-locked country of Paraguay as a land eviction turned into a shot out which left six police officers and eleven civilians were killed in what has been dubbed the Curuguaty massacre. Now amid rallies and controversies prosecutors have finally levied charges against 12 peasants deemed guilty of murder, criminal association and invasion of property.

Protest in Paraguay demanding justice for massacre. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

However the event that forced Ex-President Fernando Lugo out of office has not ended as gunmen early December 2nd burst into the home of Vidal Vega and killed him in front of his wife. Vega was a witness to the atrocity, and one of the last surviving members of the Landless Peasant Movement.

Vega was a leader who lobbied for years to redistribute land that had been illegally seized by Senator Blas Riquelme  in the 1960s. While advocating a non-violent and legal return of the land, it was the lack of results and a ruling by the Paraguayan Supreme Courts in favor of Riquelme’s estate which caused peasants to lose their patience and re occupy the land.

Early on June 15, a large police convey entered the tract of land at Curuguaty to evict the nearly 50 peasants that been illegally occupying the land. The officers arrived unarmed, expecting only non-violent resistance from the men women and children currently occupying the land when gunfire filled the air. Witnesses disagree as to whether the peasants opened fire or infiltrated gunmen are to blame, but agree that the civilians and officers alike were riddled with bullets and when reinforcements arrived 17 people were dead.

With the death of Vega, the people of Paraguay demanded an answer and investigation for the death of the peoples leader. Days later over 4,000 people marched to the National Pantheon of Heroes demanding “justice” for their slain heroes and a release of the prisoners currently held and being prosecuted for the slaughter of Curuguaty. Organized by the Human Rights Coordinator of Paraguay the people have demanded compensation for the victims, police and peasants combined.

While the administration has pledged to fully investigate the murder of Vidal Vega there is no indication that they will budge on the protesters other demands. The marchers called for the release of political prisoners and return of the land, there does not seem to be any attempt by the executive, legislative or judicial bodies to return the land seized during the 1960s.

 For further information, please see:

BBC – Paraguay Peasants Charged Over Deadly Land Clash – 16 December 2012

El Mundo – Massive March In Paraguay For The Return Of Democracy And Justice For Curuguaty – 12 December 2012

El Mundo – Slain Peasant Leader Vidal Vega, A Key Witness In The Killing Of Curuguaty – 3 December 2012

Huffington Post – Vidal Vega Dead: Paraguay Peasant Leader Killed In Paraguay By Gunmen – 2 December 2012

El Mundo – A Violent Eviction In A Rural Hacienda Paraguay Kills 17 – 15 June 2012