Venezuela: New study shows lack of political will to recognise indigenous land rights

A new report from the Universidad Nacional Experimental de Guayana shows that less than 1% of the territory of Venezuela has been recognised as indigenous lands. The illustrated study compares the situation in Venezuela with neighbouring Colombia where more 34 million hectares making up nearly 30% of the national territory have been recognised as self-governing indigenous territories (resguardos). Despite Constitutional provisions and strong laws which guarantee indigenous peoples' rights to their territories (habitats), the Venezuelan government has delayed titling indigenous lands for over a decade.

Click here to read the report (in Spanish only).