Indigenous organizations in the Venezuelan Amazon, led by the Regional Organization of Indigenous Peoples of Amazonas (ORPIA), have raised their voices in the face of growing threats to their ancestral territories, marked by the advance of extractivism, the presence of illegal actors, and the state’s weak response.
In a statement issued in April 2026 from Puerto Ayacucho, ORPIA and various grassroots organizations warn of a critical situation that puts at risk not only Amazonian ecosystems, but also the lives, culture, and survival of indigenous peoples.
A Territory at Increasing Risk
The organizations denounce that the expansion of mining and oil activities, along with the presence of illegal mining, is causing serious environmental and social impacts. Deforestation, mercury contamination of rivers, and habitat destruction are directly affecting health, food security, and traditional ways of life.
Furthermore, they warn of the occupation of indigenous territories by external actors—including armed groups—which leads to community fragmentation, violence, and loss of territorial control.
This scenario is not new. For decades, organizations such as ORPIA have warned of the devastating effects of illegal mining in the region, highlighting its impact on Amazonian communities and ecosystems.
Violated Rights and State Obligations
The statement recalls that the territorial rights of indigenous peoples are recognized in the Venezuelan Constitution and in specific legal frameworks. However, they denounce the lack of effective implementation of these rights, especially regarding land demarcation and prior, free, and informed consultation.
The organizations emphasize that territory is not merely a physical space, but a holistic reality that encompasses cultural, spiritual, and identity dimensions. Therefore, any intervention without consent constitutes a profound violation of their collective rights.
They also highlight structural obstacles such as:
- The imposition of extractive models on indigenous territories
- The lack of recognition of indigenous jurisdictions
- The absence of intercultural dialogue in the legal sphere
- The marginalization of traditional authorities
- Impacts on life and health
The statement also highlights a concerning deterioration in the health conditions of the communities. The rise in diseases such as malaria, hepatitis, and respiratory ailments is linked both to environmental pollution and to the precarious state of health services in the region.
Added to this is the breakdown of the community fabric, caused by illegal economies that transform the social and cultural dynamics of indigenous peoples.
Demands and Urgent Calls
In light of this reality, indigenous organizations are making a series of urgent demands of the Venezuelan State:
- Ensure the effective protection of indigenous territories
- Reactivate and validate territorial demarcation processes
- Respect and implement prior consultation in any project
- Recognize and strengthen indigenous forms of governance
- Protect communities from violence and illegal activities
They also warn of the risk of so-called “green dispossession”—that is, the creation of protected areas without indigenous consent, which can undermine their autonomy and their rights to ancestral territories.
Defending the Amazon is defending life
The Regional Organization of Indigenous Peoples of Amazonas reaffirms that indigenous peoples are guardians of the Amazon and key actors in the protection of biodiversity. Their struggle is not only for the defense of their territory, but for life itself, ancestral memory, and the future of our Common Home.
In the context of the climate crisis and extractive pressure, this call resonates strongly throughout the Amazon region: without indigenous peoples, there is no Amazon; and without the Amazon, there is no future for the planet.