Ecuadorian indigenous communities reject new Amazon oil project

Indigenous Waorani communities in Ecuador's Amazon have formally rejected a new oil project, Block 22, in the Pastaza province. They convened an intercultural hearing to voice their opposition, asserting that the project infringes upon their collective rights to self-determination and prior, free, and informed consent.

The hearing, held in the Daipade community between July 9 and 10, was organized by the Ombudsman's Office as part of an investigation. This investigation stems from a complaint filed by the Waorani Organization of Pastaza (OWAP) against the Ministry of Environment and Energy. The OWAP argues that including Block 22 in the state's oil investment portfolio violates a 2018 mandate, reaffirmed in 2023 and 2025, where communities explicitly rejected extractive activities in their territory.

During the hearing, approximately twenty leaders and community members expressed their firm opposition. However, the Ministry of Environment and Energy was notably absent. Daniela Criollo, a human rights defender and legal technician for OWAP, stated that the ministry requested a postponement on July 8, the day before the hearing. The organization's legal defense contends that merely including Block 22 in oil planning disregards a prior collective decision, thus violating the Waorani nationality's right to autonomy.

Oswando Nenquimo, president of OWAP, emphasized the communities' established decision against extractivism. "We have already made a decision: NO to extractivism. In 2018 we raised our voices and already decided, now we are here to say that the Waorani must be respected," he declared. The organization insists that the state must honor this collective choice.