Venezuela: Indigenous peoples call again for recognition of their territorial rights and an end to mining on their lands

On 4th June, the regional organisation of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon in Venezuela (ORPIA) issued an appeal to President Maduro and the national administration to halt the mining that is destroying the lands and livelihoods of the indigenous peoples of the States of Amazonas and Bolivar.

Expressing solidarity with the Pemon people of Southeastern Venezuela, they called on the President and the administration to establish a participatory process to curb destructive mining on their territories, re-launch the national process for recognising indigenous peoples’ lands and ‘habitats’ (territories), which has been paralysed for over 18 months, and review the performance of the indigenous persons in the administration, who are working without any engagement with the peoples they are supposed to represent.

The statement was endorsed by organisations representing the Piaroa, Yabarana, Yanomami, Ye’kuana, Hiwi, Kuripako and Baniwa peoples, as well as the indigenous women’s organisation of Autana and the regional Coordination of the Indigenous Organisations of the Amazon Basin (COICA).

Statement (Spanish only)

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