APA..Newsletter
# 2
International
News..Arecunas
(Pemons) Protest Construction of High Voltage Power Line in Venezuela
According to a press update by the Amazon Alliance of October 15, Arecuna (Pemon) communities in Venezuela have downed four electrical towers constructed on their lands near the city of Santa Elena close to the Brazilian border. These protests which began some time in 1998 are being carried out because of power lines that run through community lands. These lines are for large development projects which the communities declare have no benefit for them.
Construction has been delayed since early 1999 in response to Congressional inquiries regarding indigenous and environmental concerns. If the project moves ahead as planned 15,000 Indigenous Peoples will be affected in over 30 Akawaio, Arawako (Arawak), Arecuna (Pemon), and Karina (Carib) communities. A large expanses of the region’s natural ecosystem also stand to be affected.
The Pemons have agreed to return military vehicles that they had previously taken away on the condition that the military halt construction until issues of land tenure are settled. Indigenous leaders have also requested an audience with President Hugo Chavez.