Ecuador votes to suspend oil extraction in a part of the Amazon

Ecuadorians voted to suspend part of the oil extraction in an Amazon reserve, according to the results of a historic referendum on Sunday that is considered a world example of the climate debate.

The Yes to leave the crude underground only in the emblematic block 43 within the great Yasuní reserve obtained the support of 59% over the No, according to the count of the National Electoral Council (CNE).

The Yasuní park (east) is one of the most biodiverse places in the world where indigenous communities live, and is the jewel in the crown of the state-owned Petroecuador.

Throughout the one million hectares that make up the reserve, block 43 represents barely 0.08% of its extension and is the fourth in oil production in the country, with 57,000 barrels per day (bd).

Although other oil fields are still active in the Yasuní park, block 43 became a symbol of climate democracy and attracted the eyes of celebrities and world activists who were closely watching the development of the referendum.

The current performance of block 43 is behind the old Amazonian fields Sacha (72,000 bd), Auca (71,000 bd) and Shushufindi (62,000 bd), whose productions are in decline.

With the victory of the Yes in the referendum on Sunday, the government estimates losses of 16.470 million dollars in 20 years.

“We made history! This consultation, born from the citizenry, demonstrates the greatest national consensus in Ecuador. It is the first time that a country decides to defend life and leave oil underground. It is a historic victory for Ecuador and for the planet!”, indicated the environmental group Yasunidos, which promoted the referendum, on the social network X, formerly Twitter.

indigenous triumph

Oil extraction in block 43 began in 2016 after years of tense debate and failed efforts under the government of then-Socialist President Rafael Correa (2007-2017).

The ex-president failed in his attempt to get the international community to pay Ecuador some 3.6 billion dollars in compensation to prevent extraction in that Yasuní field.

In the reserve, where the Waoranis, Kichwas and also the Tagaeri, Taromenane and Dugakaeri indigenous communities in voluntary isolation live, block 43 extracts 12% of the 466,000 bp produced in the country, all in the Amazon.

“Let’s celebrate together the triumph of #SiAlYasuni! Today #Ecuador took a giant step to protect life, biodiversity and indigenous peoples”, celebrated the powerful and largest indigenous organization Conaie on the social network X (formerly Twitter).

This 2.7 million hectare biosphere reserve, which includes the park of the same name located between the provinces of Pastaza and Orellana, captures carbon and then pumps oxygen and water vapor that recharges the water sources.

Ecuador also held in parallel a local popular consultation to prevent mining in six small rural towns in Quito with around 20,000 inhabitants.

According to the most recent report, the Sí obtained 68% support to protect the Chocó Andino forest, which is part of the seven biosphere reserves in Ecuador.

The Chocó Andino is considered the lung of Quito, which has more than three million inhabitants, and is also home to the Andean bear.

Source: AFP