In the midst of political and economic turmoil in this South American country, some of the world’s most scenic and biodiverse public lands are at risk. By Kim O’Connell
An article by The SOS Orinoco Team
The Pemón People of La Gran Sabana, Bolivar State, Venezuela have been on the forefront of the struggle to allow the entry of humanitarian aid. In this remote Southern region of Venezuela, that borders with Brazil, where the indigenous peoples of Venezuela are amongst the most vulnerable and are suffering the consequences of the collapse of health, education, nutrition and security of the regime of Nicolas Maduro, Emilio Gonzalez, mayor of Santa Elena de Uairen (on the Venezuelan-Brazilian border) told Reuters that the Pemon people were unarmed but determined to let in humanitarian aid from Brazil.
In recent years there has been an increase in information pertaining to a boom in gold mining activity within Canaima National Park (CNP), a World Heritage Site (WHS). Furthermore, this situation falls within the context of a strategic policy of the current Venezuelan government that promotes mining activities over vast geographic areas, and encompasses all mining categories.
Our position on
the Orinoco Mining Arc
The purpose of SOSOrinoco is to shed light on the existing body of work regarding the situation in the Amazonia and Orinoquia regions of Venezuela, to raise awareness of the tragedy that is occurring and to outline some urgent measures that need to be taken in order to halt the unfolding human and environmental disaster.