Organization of American States Warns of New Paramilitaries; Venezuelan Supreme Court allows Disqualifications in Elections; Chevron Accused in Ecuador of Violations to the Life and Environment of Indigenous Communities

By Oscar J Barbosa
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia - Chief of the OAS mission in Colombia Sergio Caramagna announced during an interview, a big concern about the emerging illegal bands.  Over 20 groups paramilitary-like with links to drug trafficking have been identified.

The Paramilitary groups in Colombia handed in their weapons in 2004 in exchange for lower sentences, special detention centers and protection from extradition from drug crimes. Emerging groups could raise violence and increase the number of victims. Paramilitaries victimized at least 140.000 Colombians until 2004.

For more information, please see:

Milenio - Existe en Colombia nueva generación de paramilitares: OEA – 07 August 2008

Univision - OEA: Al menos 140.000 personas víctimas de paramilitares en Colombia – 07 August 2008

-----------------------------------------

CARACAS, Venezuela – Candidates accused of corruption in the upcoming elections in Venezuela have been banned from participation. Both Pro-Chaves and Anti-Chavez candidates have been denied participation, these adding to over 300 people.

Opposition criticizes the policy as an unconstitutional tactic to remain in power. The court held that full due process in regards to corruption accusations are in place, and therefore the regulations and disqualifications of candidates did not violate the constitution.

Judge Lopez, in dissent, advised that the decision had been made out of "fear" of the majority and that it was "in favor of a government that can manipulate the public powers in order to impose its will because it has lost popular support."

For more information, please see:

Venezuelanalysis - Venezuelan Supreme Court Ratifies Candidate Disqualifications as Constitutional – 07 August 2008

BBC - Venezuelan candidate ban upheld – 06 August 2008

---------------------------------------------

 

QUITO, Ecuador – Chevron had submitted to jurisdiction in Ecuador, under accusations of dumping 18.5 billion gallons of toxic waste into Amazon waterways from 1964 to 1990. As a result, the ability of the indigenous groups to live in the rainforest has been greatly affected. Texaco-Chevron had built over 1000 open-air waste pits that leeched toxins into the soil and groundwater for decades. Nearly 30,000 Amazon residents are seeking $12 billion from Chevron for the dumping, biggest lawsuit in an environmental law case.

The leaders of the Cofan, Secoya, and Siona tribes are planning a trip to Washington, DC in September to talk directly with Members of Congress and the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and attempt to bring the real picture to the US Congress.

In addition, Chevron has openly promoted geopolitical blackmail to save itself from the lawsuit. The giant is urging the US administration to stop the special trade preferences with Ecuador if that nation doesn’t force the Amazon residents to drop the case. If the White House accedes, it would be the second triumph to Chevron in a matter of weeks.  The US Senate had dropped a process to penalize Chevron for its ties with the military junta in Burma.

Ad-hoc news announced that: among the lobbyists hired by Chevron are former Senators John Breaux and Trent Lott, and Mac McLarty, former White House Chief of Staff in the Clinton Administration. Their work has been focused on Ambassador Susan Schwab, the United States Trade Representative; key Members of Congress; and John Negroponte, Deputy Secretary of State.

For more information, please see:

Ad-Hoc News - Amazon Indians Accuse Chevron Lobbyists of Misleading Congress over $16 Billion Liability – 30 July 2008

Democracy Now - Chevron Lobbies White House to Pressure Ecuador to Stop $12 Billion Amazon Pollution Lawsuit - 5 August 2008