Ecuador‘s 11th Round Oil Auction that threatened millions of acres of rainforest and indigenous territory is over and it ended last Friday as a dismal failure! Because of your support we were able to see a reduction in the initial oil blocks from 21 to 13 and two extensions to the auction – doubling its original duration – because the bidders weren’t bidding. Of the hundreds of international oil companies that were invited to bid, only 4 ultimately did so. In part due to the tremendous pressure generated by Amazon Watch once we accompanied our indigenous allies around the world demonstrating that communities will oppose every effort to drill on their lands.

Please celebrate on this Giving Tuesday by contributing so we may continue to stand with our allies in defending the Amazon from Big Oil.

For the past two weeks we have highlighted the work of our partner and friend, Sarayaku-born activist and leader Patricia Gualinga. While she is pleased that the 11th Round is over and failed overall, Patricia remains concerned about the future of her community, the Amazon and our global climate.

Upon hearing the results of the 11th Round, she said:

“Petro Andes, a Chinese company, has made an offer in the 11th Oil-Licensing Round that affects 6,000 hectares of the sacred territory of Sarayaku, sacred land of our ancestors. From Sarayaku, we once again express our whole-hearted rejection of oil development on our territory. This company will not enter our territory. We will defend it with our lives.”

Please continue to stand with us to make more victories possible and keep up this integral fight for the future of the Amazon, for the indigenous peoples there, and for our global climate. Help us to support Patricia Gualinga as she continues to be one of the powerful voices of indigenous leadership and justice in the Amazon.

Thank you from all of us at Amazon Watch on this Giving Tuesday and every day.

Branden Barber
Director of Engagement