Latest news with #Wampis
San Francisco Chronicle
16-07-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Indigenous Wampis are ambushed in Peru after government backs out of anti-mining joint patrol
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — An attack by armed assailants on a patrol of a mission by the Indigenous Wampis guards last week in the Peruvian Amazon has again brought into focus the issue of illegal gold mining in the ancestral territory. The 60-member mission was ambushed and shot at as they were patrolling near the Wampis community of Fortaleza on Saturday, just days after the Peruvian government's sudden withdrawal from a planned joint enforcement operation to confront the illegal mining. No one was hurt in the attack. For two years, the Wampis Nation has pressed state agencies and the public prosecutor's office in Peru to work together to monitor for and remove illegal mining operations from the Santiago River basin. Days before a scheduled joint operation, government agencies pulled out without explanation, according to Amazon Watch, a U.S.-based environmental and Indigenous rights nonprofit. In response, the Wampis launched their own mission and its first patrol was attacked on Saturday. Indigenous leaders say the incident highlights the growing risks faced by land defenders and the government's failure to uphold its promises. A Wampis official described the attack to The Associated Press. The around 60 Indigenous leaders, community guards and technicians were tasked with monitoring the environmental impacts of illegal gold mining in the Bajo Rio Santiago region. 'People started throwing explosives — I don't even know what kind they were — and then came the gunfire,' said Evaristo Pujupat Shirap, 45, communications officer for the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampis Nation. 'Bullets hit the vehicle and even pierced a teacher's jacket at chest level,' Shirap added. The Peruvian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Members on the Wampis mission were armed with hunting rifles, but according to Shirap, leaders had instructed the group not to fire under any circumstances. While they did fire a few warning shots into the air, no direct confrontation took place, Shirap added. 'We will not stand by while our rivers are poisoned and our forests destroyed,' said Galois Yampis, vice president of the Wampis government. Peru's "government failed to honor its commitments, so we are acting to defend our territory and the future of our people,' he added. The Indigenous Wampis territorial guards are community-led environmental defenders trained and organized by the autonomous territorial government of the Wampis Nation. Their aim is to protect Wampis ancestral lands from illegal activities such as mining, logging, and drug trafficking, while upholding their cultural values and vision of Tarimat Pujut — a life in harmony with nature. Raphael Hoetmer, Amazon program director at Amazon Watch, a longtime ally of the Wampis, said they only confront violent criminals — "yet are left to face danger without state protection.' The Wampis Nation has long been urging Peru and gold-importing nations to strengthen enforcement against illegal gold trade and invest in Indigenous-led territorial monitoring and sustainable development. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Washington Post
16-07-2025
- Washington Post
Indigenous Wampis are ambushed in Peru after government backs out of anti-mining joint patrol
BOGOTA, Colombia — An attack by armed assailants on a patrol of a mission by the Indigenous Wampis guards last week in the Peruvian Amazon has again brought into focus the issue of illegal gold mining in the ancestral territory . The 60-member mission was ambushed and shot at as they were patrolling near the Wampis community of Fortaleza on Saturday, just days after the Peruvian government's sudden withdrawal from a planned joint enforcement operation to confront the illegal mining.
Winnipeg Free Press
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Indigenous Wampis are ambushed in Peru after government backs out of anti-mining joint patrol
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — An attack by armed assailants on a patrol of a mission by the Indigenous Wampis guards last week in the Peruvian Amazon has again brought into focus the issue of illegal gold mining in the ancestral territory. The 60-member mission was ambushed and shot at as they were patrolling near the Wampis community of Fortaleza on Saturday, just days after the Peruvian government's sudden withdrawal from a planned joint enforcement operation to confront the illegal mining. No one was hurt in the attack. For two years, the Wampis Nation has pressed state agencies and the public prosecutor's office in Peru to work together to monitor for and remove illegal mining operations from the Santiago River basin. Days before a scheduled joint operation, government agencies pulled out without explanation, according to Amazon Watch, a U.S.-based environmental and Indigenous rights nonprofit. In response, the Wampis launched their own mission and its first patrol was attacked on Saturday. Indigenous leaders say the incident highlights the growing risks faced by land defenders and the government's failure to uphold its promises. A Wampis official described the attack to The Associated Press. The around 60 Indigenous leaders, community guards and technicians were tasked with monitoring the environmental impacts of illegal gold mining in the Bajo Rio Santiago region. 'People started throwing explosives — I don't even know what kind they were — and then came the gunfire,' said Evaristo Pujupat Shirap, 45, communications officer for the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampis Nation. 'Bullets hit the vehicle and even pierced a teacher's jacket at chest level,' Shirap added. The Peruvian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Members on the Wampis mission were armed with hunting rifles, but according to Shirap, leaders had instructed the group not to fire under any circumstances. While they did fire a few warning shots into the air, no direct confrontation took place, Shirap added. 'We will not stand by while our rivers are poisoned and our forests destroyed,' said Galois Yampis, vice president of the Wampis government. Peru's 'government failed to honor its commitments, so we are acting to defend our territory and the future of our people,' he added. The Indigenous Wampis territorial guards are community-led environmental defenders trained and organized by the autonomous territorial government of the Wampis Nation. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. Their aim is to protect Wampis ancestral lands from illegal activities such as mining, logging, and drug trafficking, while upholding their cultural values and vision of Tarimat Pujut — a life in harmony with nature. Raphael Hoetmer, Amazon program director at Amazon Watch, a longtime ally of the Wampis, said they only confront violent criminals — 'yet are left to face danger without state protection.' The Wampis Nation has long been urging Peru and gold-importing nations to strengthen enforcement against illegal gold trade and invest in Indigenous-led territorial monitoring and sustainable development. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
STV News
27-06-2025
- Business
- STV News
Amazon leaders call on Scotland not to use illegal logging for world's largest floating wind farm
Amazonian leaders have called on Scotland not to rely on illegal logging to build the turbines for the world's largest floating wind farm. The Green Volt project, located 80km off the Northeast coast of Scotland, was approved last year. The Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampís Nation, in Peru, warned that the development off Peterhead could rely on illegally logged balsa wood from the Amazon rainforest. Balsa wood is particularly light and strong, yet highly resistant, making it ideal for the manufacture of wind turbine propellers. Wampís leaders Pamuk Teófilo Kukush Pati and Tsanim Evaristo Wajai Asamat said rising demand for the wood, which grows naturally in the Amazon, has resulted in disputes and threats of violence against indigenous people. Mingyang is China's biggest offshore wind company, and environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth Scotland said it is the preferred manufacturer for Green Volt. The indigenous leaders claim Mingyang and others have allegedly relied on illegal balsa supply chains linked to their territory for years. Green Volt said that no turbine supplier has been confirmed for the project. A spokesperson for the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the choice of suppliers is a commercial decision for the companies involved. But added: 'We expect businesses to do everything in their power to remove unethical practices, such as illegal logging, from their supply chains. 'Earlier this month, we joined forces with industry and The Crown Estate to invest £1bn in offshore wind supply chains. This will secure Britain's renewal through manufacturing facilities and skilled well-paid jobs, delivering on our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower.' As part of their campaign, Mr Pati and Mr Asamat visited Holyrood and urged the Scottish Government to cut any links with illegal logging and introduce a corporate accountability law. 'We call on the Scottish Government not to invest in the big wind energy companies that are logging the Wampis territory,' Mr Pati, the Pamuk or elected president of the Wampís Nation said. 'The same goes for the oil and mining companies. Rather, they should invest in our own productive projects, which help to feed our people and protect our territory and forests.' Tom Younger, from the Forest Peoples Programme advocacy group, said: 'The Scottish and UK governments must take tougher measures to ensure that the expansion of wind power does not come at the cost of the Wampis nation's lives, lands and livelihoods, and rather recognise and support their efforts to protect their territory.' Green Volt secured approval from the UK Government in April 2024 under the Contracts for Difference scheme – the mechanism for supporting low-carbon electricity generation. It is the first project in the Crown Estate Scotland's Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing round to be granted consent. The world's current biggest floating wind farm, Hywind Tampen off of Norway, uses just 11 turbines. 'We are developing the largest commercial-scale, floating offshore windfarm in the world, working to hugely ambitious timelines to deliver the government's goal of 43-50 GW of offshore wind by 2030,' a Green Volt spokesperson said. 'Having secured a Contract for Difference from the government last year, we are identifying supply chain partners to help us build the wind farm. As yet, no turbine supplier has been confirmed for Green Volt.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Scottish Government is clear that the use of safe, sustainable materials in the offshore wind supply chain is critical, ensuring we protect the natural environment as we grow our economy and transition to a green and renewable energy system.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Edinburgh Reporter
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Amazonian leaders visit Holyrood to call for an end to illegal logging links with offshore wind farm
Pamuk Teófilo Kukush Pati and Tsanim Evaristo Wajai Asamat, who are visiting Scotland this week, attended The Scottish Parliament to demand action to stop Scotland's renewable energy plans from contributing to the illegal logging in the Wampís territory in the west of the Amazonian rainforest. Balsa wood, which is used in the manufacturing of wind turbine blades, grows naturally in the Amazon rainforest but the rising demand has resulted in many disputes and threats of violence on local Indigenous people. A 2024 investigation found that the Chinese wind turbine manufacturer, Mingyang, and others have allegedly relied for years on illegal balsa supply chains linked to the Wampís territory and those of neighbouring Indigenous people. Mingyang is China's biggest offshore wind company and is the preferred manufacturer for Green Volt, Europe's first commercial scale floating offshore wind farm. GreenVolt is located 80km off the North East coast of Scotland and is partly owned by the Scottish company Flotation Energy. The Scottish Government approved planning consent for the GreenVolt project in April 2024. Pamuk Teófilo Kukush Pati, the Pamuk or elected president of the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampís Nation said: 'We call on the Scottish Government not to invest in the big wind energy companies that are logging the Wampis territory. The same goes for the oil and mining companies. Rather, they should invest in our own productive projects, which help to feed our people and protect our territory and forests.' Kim Pratt, Senior Campaigner for Friends of the Earth Scotland said: 'Exactly one year on from the passing of Scotland's Circular Economy law, which requires the Scottish Government to consider that people and nature in supply chains are protected, the illegal use of balsa wood from the Wampis Nation would be a clear violation of that requirement. 'Scotland must transition away from fossil fuels but if this is done without considering the impact on other nations and nature, we will fail to create a better future. The Scottish Government should develop human rights and environmental standards for the public sector and guidance for the private sector to protect people and nature.' Tom Younger, Peru Programme Coordinator and Policy Advisor, Forest Peoples Programme said: 'Whether it's the extraction of rubber, gold, oil and gas or now balsa wood, Scotland and the rest of the UK owe a hefty historic climate and ecological debt to the Indigenous nations and peoples of the Peruvian Amazon. 'The Scottish and UK governments must take tougher measures to ensure that the expansion of wind power does not come at the cost of the Wampis nation's lives, lands and livelihoods, and rather recognise and support their efforts to protect their territory. Given there are also UK-based financial institutions directing investment to oil extraction in their territory, extraction that they reject and have not consented to, it's clear that there needs to be a new UK law that covers all sectors, requiring respect for human rights and the environment.' Indigenous leaders from The Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampís Nation (GTANW) – the first Indigenous people to declare autonomy in Peru – are returning to Scotland ahead of COP30, having sent representatives to Glasgow during COP26. The leaders will be engaging in several events and exchanges with communities across Scotland, including at the University of St Andrews, the Isle of Eigg and Torry Aberdeen. They wish to share the importance of their autonomy, self- determination and self-governance, their culture and philosophy of Tarimat Pujut (to live well in harmony with nature). The leaders will present a position paper they have co-authored relating to the need for a UK corporate accountability law to Martin Whitfield MSP, who is accepting it on behalf of Douglas Alexander MP, on Monday 30 June at his constituency office. Indigenous leaders from the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampís Nation (GTANW), situated in Peru, visit The Scottish Parliament. Pamuk Teófilo Kukush Pati is the elected leader and Tsanim Evaristo Wajai Asamat is the Director of Justice. Pic Greg Macvean 25/06/2025 Indigenous leaders from the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampís Nation (GTANW), situated in Peru, visit the Scottish Parliament. Pamuk Teófilo Kukush Pati is the elected leader and Tsanim Evaristo Wajai Asamat is the Director of Justice. Pic Greg Macvean 25/06/2025 Indigenous leaders from the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampís Nation (GTANW), situated in Peru, visit the Scottish Parliament. Pamuk Teófilo Kukush Pati is the elected leader and Tsanim Evaristo Wajai Asamat is the Director of Justice. Pic Greg Macvean 25/06/2025 Indigenous leaders from the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampís Nation (GTANW), situated in Peru, visit the Scottish Parliament. Pamuk Teófilo Kukush Pati is the elected leader and Tsanim Evaristo Wajai Asamat is the Director of Justice. Pic Greg Macvean 25/06/2025 Indigenous leaders from the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampís Nation (GTANW), situated in Peru, visit the Scottish Parliament. Pamuk Teófilo Kukush Pati is the elected leader and Tsanim Evaristo Wajai Asamat is the Director of Justice. Pic Greg Macvean 25/06/2025 Indigenous leaders from the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampís Nation (GTANW), situated in Peru, visit the Scottish Parliament. Pamuk Teófilo Kukush Pati is the elected leader and Tsanim Evaristo Wajai Asamat is the Director of Justice. Pic Greg Macvean 25/06/2025 Indigenous leaders from the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampís Nation (GTANW), situated in Peru, visit the Scottish Parliament. Pamuk Teófilo Kukush Pati is the elected leader and Tsanim Evaristo Wajai Asamat is the Director of Justice. Pic Greg Macvean 25/06/2025 Indigenous leaders from the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampís Nation (GTANW), situated in Peru, visit the Scottish Parliament. Pamuk Teófilo Kukush Pati is the elected leader and Tsanim Evaristo Wajai Asamat is the Director of Justice. Pic Greg Macvean 25/06/2025 Like this: Like Related
