Human Rights Updates — Indigenous communities attacked and at risk

18.1.19

Human Rights Updates — Indigenous communities attacked and at risk - The Pemón Indigenous communities in the Canaima National Park (western Venezuela) were the target of a violent attack during a two-day military operation, for which there was no justification. The communities fear for their safety in the context of these operations and the militarization of their ancestral territory ordered by the national government.

The operation took place in the context of the Orinoco Arco Mining megaproject – under which the area was declared a “National Strategic Development Zone” to promote the exploitation of mineral resources by companies – and the Tepuy Protection Plan (Plan Tepuy Protector) to stop illegal mining.

During the operation on 8 December, young Indigenous member Charly Peñaloza was killed and three other members of the Pemón Indigenous people were injured. According to survivors and the statements of the Council of Chiefs of the Pemón People, none of them was armed.