Violent Militias Stand Between the U.S. and Venezuela’s Vast Mineral Riches
February 25, 2026 | The Wall Street Journal
Illegal mining has reached an industrial scale in the country’s southern jungles, where the government has no control
Tag: Illegal mining
Climate Change, Illegal Mining, and Human Rights in the Amazon: Reflections from a Coalition of Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples
This report, prepared by the Coalition against Illegal Mining in the Amazon (CMIA)—an alliance of organizations from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela—examines how illegal gold mining is accelerating the climate crisis, destroying ecosystems, and violating human rights across the Amazon Basin. Through satellite data, field research, and testimonies from Indigenous and local communities, the […]
Coalition against Illegal Mining in the Amazon (CMIA)
The CMIA is a coalition of civil society organizations from six Amazonian countries — Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela — together with regional and international allies. Its mission is to halt the advance of illegal mining in the Amazon through rigorous documentation, policy advocacy, evidence-based information sharing, and the strengthening of alliances with […]
2025 World Heritage Watch - Canaima Report
This is the 11th edition of the World Heritage Watch (WHW) Annual Report since we began our work in 2014. Since then, our global network has grown to more than 200 civil society actors in over 60 countries. World Heritage Watch Reports have become more voluminous over the years. The report contributed by SOSOrinoco on […]
How Looting Created a Weather Blindspot in the Venezuelan Amazon (damaged link
April 16, 2025 | Caracas Chrinicles
Maduro just ordered electricity rationing and reduced working hours for public offices. But the climate emergency he used as the excuse can’t be observed at the region that feeds the country’s main hydroelectric reservoir
A Damaging Pursuit of Riches
March 12, 2025 | Miami Herald
Illegal mining reaches Venezuela’s famed Angel Falls
There’s Mining, Then There’s Illegal Mining
February 4th 2025 | Wilson Center
Illegal Brazilian miners increase their presence on the Venezuelan side of the border
August 21, 2024 | La Tercera Voz’ Inclusive Journalism
SOSOrinoco: the advantage of diaspora activism in Venezuela
Article by Ángeles Zúñiga and Abigail Edwards, Routed I July 15, 2023
Brazil says illegal miners driven from Indigenous territory, but ‘war’ not over
Article by Tom Phillips, The Guardian I July 10, 2023
Venezuela’s harmful mining activities grow
Article by Stachowicz et al, Science I May 19, 2023
On the border of Colombia and Venezuela, illegal gold mining unites armed forces
Article by Jose Guarnizo, Mongabay I May 12, 2023