Peru
News and Press Releases
September 12, 2011 - The Peruvian Government’s multi-sectoral commission of Vice-Ministers reached an official agreement with the indigenous communities of Nuevo Sucre and Canaán that confirms Maple Energy plc’s contamination of Shipibo land and waterways. During site visits to the community streams and Maple’s oil fields, the commission confirmed the presence of vegetation “impregnated” with crude, nearly two months after the most recent spill. Government experts also observed poor maintenance on the Maquia oil field, noting probable contamination from crude residue and waste products that drain into the community’s creeks with every rain. A doctor from the Peruvian National Institute of Health conducted a review of available health records in each community, and noted high levels of digestive, skin and vision problems immediately following the July 2011 spill in Nuevo Sucre. Other members of the commission
confirmed Maple’s non-compliance with community relations plans and occupational health and safety standards through interviews of community members. Read the
full press release here and the
official agreement here. Background and more information
here.
September 6, 2011 - A multi-sectoral commission of Peruvian Government Vice-Ministers began a series of meetings with the indigenous communities of Nuevo Sucre and Canaán regarding the negative impacts of Maple Energy/ Maple Gas operations on their territories. Read the Press Release here. At their request, Accountability Counsel is providing support to the communities during these meetings.
August 18, 2011 - The Government of Peru (Ministerio del Ambiente del Perú) agrees to form a multi-sectoral commission to investigate the spills by Maple Energy / Maple Gas on Shipibo territory in Nuevo Sucre and Canaán. Read the summary of the discussion with the government representatives committing to working with the communities to address the oil contamination issues, starting with a visit to the communities at the end of August 2011.
August 15, 2011 - Communities in Peru End Dialogue with Maple Energy - The Shipibo villages we represent in the Peruvian Amazon decided on August 11, 2011 to end negotiations with Maple Energy. The communities made
the decision after Maple failed to take responsibility for the health and environmental consequences of at least six oil spills on their territory in three years. Read the
Press Release here.
April 6, 2010 - Accountability Counsel, San Francisco-based partner International Accountability Project (“IAP”) and two Peruvian indigenous federations, ORAU and FECONBU, filed a human rights and environmental complaint on behalf of the Shipibo communities of Canaán de Cachiyacu and Nuevo Sucre located in the Peruvian region of Loreto, along the Rio Ucayali. View the full Press Release, read the complaint and watch our video.
