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Newsletter 22 | November 2020 

Update on Illegal mining in the state of Amazonas (Venezuela)

On October 28 (2020) in a tweet with photos, the Amazonas Integral Defense Operational Zone (ZODI Amazonas) announced that military personnel from the 52 Jungle Infantry Brigade “in the fight against illegal mining," located and destroyed a mining camp "in the vicinity of Yapacana National Park," in the Atabapo municipality of Amazonas state. This is ironic since SOSOrinoco's updated report published earlier this year determined that mining in Yapacana NP (YNP) increased from 2,035 to 2,227 hectares, and from 36 mining sites in 2019 to 69 in 2020, with a growth rate equivalent to 242 hectares per year. It is widely known that the military collect protection money from the Colombian guerrilla, and there are well-known guidelines that miners and everyone who operates in Yapacana are familiar with. It is evident that the ZODI Amazonas and all the components of the Venezuelan armed forces present in the state are partners in the corruption and illegal mining schemes.
We can't guarantee that this "destroyed" mining camp is inside or outside YNP since Maduro's military systematically avoid acknowledging the presence of mining inside the national park.

Confrontation between the inhabitants of Autana - a new gold rush in Guayapo

Since the Colombian guerrilla became established in the Autana municipality in 2012, the peace that characterized the territory of the Uwottüja (Piaroa) has come to an end. The group of armed invaders - who identified themselves as members of the FARC dissidents - settled in the Guayapo river basin and soon began to search for gold in the area. The trafficking of fuel, food and minerals has become increasingly frequent and evident, as well as the recruitment of allies and of young indigenous people. Since 2013, the Uwottüja indigenous organizations have denounced these irregularities at various regional and national governmental institutions at the highest level, demanding the expulsion of the armed invaders, without obtaining any response. They also held meetings with the guerrillas themselves, to whom they expressed their total disagreement with their presence and asked them to leave their lands. As of 2016, there is evidence that the ELN also entered the area. A recent SOSOrinoco report explains these events.
According to a recent complaint from the Indigenous Organization of the Uwottüja of Sipapo - OIPUS - the miners now number about 500 people. The Indigenous Territorial Guard legally created at the beginning of the year has tried to contain the passage through the Sipapo River and prevent the growth of mining, but the gold rush irresistibly attracts miners despite current presidential Decree No. 269 (1989) that prohibits all mining in the entire state of Amazonas. 

Tragically, the presence of the Colombian guerrilla, and its introduction and financing of mining, has divided the Uwottüja people among those who - led by OIPUS - oppose this invasion of the territory and on the other hand, those who have been co-opted by the guerrillas or are working in the mines, since they consider that this is the only economic alternative to which they have access.

A recent event illustrates this confrontation: a group of Uwottüja youth financed and supported by the guerrillas, were ready to transport 13 machines to the mines of Guayapo. The leaders of OIPUS and the Indigenous Territorial Guard oppose these plans and have denounced the situation before the competent bodies in Puerto Ayacucho. A month ago another similar event was reported. 
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Giving Tuesday!
 
Venezuela: the Amazonian country with most illegal mines

December 1 is Giving Tuesday Please consider making a donation to help us to continue raising awareness about Venezuelan Amazonia and fight the environmental media blackout that for the most part refuses to shed light on the environmental devastation and Human Rights abuses occurring in Southern Venezuela.

Help us to expand our organization and reach so that we can continue to expose the devastation and propose practical remedies to the problems that plague Venezuelan Amazonia/Guayana, one of the richest areas of the World in terms of biological and cultural diversity.

Thank you and please follow our work online, watch our videos on YouTube and follow us on social media, and click here to add SOSOrinoco's #GivingTuesday campaign to your calendar

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Health care for the Yanomami


After years of neglect and complete absence by the state, the Governor of Amazonas state, Miguel Rodríguez, made a surprise visit and announced "good news" from Parima B in the Upper Orinoco region. Together with the CAICET team and the Regional Health Directorate, with the Armed Forces' air support, they transported medical and technical personnel, as well as a supply of medicines for onchocerciasis, malaria, vaccination and comprehensive medical care. They also delivered two tons of food, a working communication radio, volleyball and soccer balls. Unfortunately, the health team will only remain in the area for just four weeks to serve a population of more than 4,000 people and 80 communities in the area of Parima B.

These types of activities should be normal, frequent and routine, but unfortunately they have become a rare occurrence. A recent report by the independent investigative journalism platform Armando.info presents an insight into the state of neglect of the health care system of the Alto Orinoco.

Unfortunately, the timing of Miguel Rodríguez's visit (never before his designation as governor had he lived in Amazonas) to Parima B seems to respond to the need to capture votes in the framework of the campaign for the fraudulent "elections" to be held on December 6th and organized by the Maduro regime.

SOSOrinoco published a report this year updating on the human rights situation of the indigenous peoples of the Alto Orinoco-Casiquiare Biosphere Reserve, the increase in illegal mining and the presence of the Colombian guerrilla.
Paratroopers in the Alto Paragua (Bolivar, Venezuela)

In the Paragua river basin, in Bolívar state, is the third largest gold mining area in southern Venezuela, after Cuyuní and Icabarú. The river borders the imposing Guaiquinima tepuy and its surroundings, which has been protected by the legal figure of Natural Monument since 1990. The headwaters of the basin are also protected under similar environmental protection figures. Mining in the Paragua basin directly affects the Guri reservoir and the country's hydroelectric and strategic potential.
A SOSOrinoco report on mining in the Paragua determined that 6,860 hectares (equivalent to 9,016 soccer fields) of land is directly impacted by mining, which occurs in 121 mining sectors, four of these sectors are within the Guaiquinima Natural Monument (equivalent to 78 hectares).

In the past, this area has also been the scene of violent events involving mining disputes. On November 9, 2020, a group of 20 paratroopers were seen jumping from a military plane in the vicinity of Musuk’pa, unleashing a commotion among the inhabitants of the area, fearful of a military eviction operation. Apparently, the alleged military men went into the jungle. Indigenous leaders of the sector have requested explanations from the commanders of the Armed Forces of Bolívar state, without obtaining any response. Many questions arise: What were these paratroopers planning to do? Are we witnessing another illegal mine exploited by the military in Paragua? Are they actual Venezuelan military or another type of armed actors?
Video of area Masuk'pa mine area where paratroopers landed on Nov 9, 2020
The Great Tirika Mine (Canaima National Park)
This is "Tirika" mine in the heart of Canaima National Park, World Heritage Site, where all mining is illegal. Tirika is equivalent in size to 264 football fields. 
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