The earth cried over plans for oil

As if casting an omen on the plans being discussed beneath, the sky spilled relentlessly upon the oil meeting organized by the Government. 

Buses had brought villagers from across the district to the Mayan community of Corazon. There they sheltered beneath thinly thatched roofs as the rain fell, scattering mud with every thud as it hit the ground. Defiant, the Deputy Prime Minister and other Government officials stoically continued, raising their voices above the hissing weather. In front of the stage stood a solitary woman, her umbrella bright against its dreary backdrop. 

Woman listens to Government panel

The Mayan and Garifuna people had gathered to listen to the Government put forward an argument for why they should willingly surrender their land to oil extraction. It was here that these Toledo residents would decide whether to put faith in the nation’s leaders when they say “there are impacts but we can manage them and minimize them.”

In organizing the outdoor event, the Government had not taken the risk of bad weather into account. Juxtaposed against their claims that they would take all necessary precautions to prepare for and minimize the risks of oil exploration, their words did little to appease the concerns many bystanders. As Dr Colin Young said himself “Oil spills that can happen, especially when you don’t have the right procedures in place”. 

The consequences of the possible oil spillage disaster were also discussed. A member of the audience asked whether stories that he had been told of people dying and of fish being killed as a result of oil exploration were true. Such examples had been given at an event held by SATIIM the week before. The Honorable Gaspar Vega cut straight to the point, accusing the NGOs that talk of such case studies as “liars”. 

Sea breaking more than 90 miles from the BP oil spill

Given that in February a court in Ecuador found ChevronTexaco guilty of crude oil pollution causing serious and ongoing environmental and health problems, Vega’s accusation seems unfounded. The judge obviously did not conclude that the residents of the Amazon, who are experiencing increased rates of cancer as a result of crude oil pollution, were liars at all.  In fact, the judge awarded them over US$8billion in damages.

The residents of coastal towns on the Gulf of Mexico, where oil pollution from a BP off-shore rig has destroyed their fishing and tourist trade, would also beg to differ with the Deputy PM’s assertion that their tale is untrue. As families of fisherman unable to work in their polluted oceans struggle with growing debt and oil smeared beaches lie desolate of their usual sun seekers, the effects of oil exploration are excruciatingly evident.

Dr Young stepped in, “when there is an oil spill, perhaps there are some species of fish and marine organisms that will be affected. So we are not saying that the figure is an absolute lie.” He contradicted. “What we are saying is that some of the NGOs like to use the extreme, the worst case scenario, to scare people into not choosing development for themselves.” 

In response, Gregory Ch’oc of SATIIM later stated “We are working with a number of organizations to ensure that the people who will be most affected by oil pollution are aware of all the possible consequences. The rights of communities are violated when anyone comes and makes claims that there are no consequences associated with oil exploitation or that the communities are going to benefit economically. We are inviting the people to make their own decision, based upon all the facts and experiences from around the world.”

Honorable Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister

In the afternoon the speaker panel moved to a second event in Punta Gorda, at the same venue that had been used by SATIIM for an event just days before. The room was crammed, chairs spread from wall to wall, each one filled. People even sat in aisles or leaned against the walls. Each face was young, their attire identical. The room was filled with school children. As Young explained to the children “listen and pay attention, as you will need to go home and tell people what you know”.

What continued was an argument in support of oil that purported its advantages. The people, and children particularly, have a right to hear all the information surrounding the consequences of oil extraction. The Government view it as a low risk and high profit initiative, whilst non-profit organizations highlight issues they find concerning: environmental damage, human rights violations, disregard for law and low profit economic structure. At the end of the presentation, two school children took to the stage at the end of the presentation to state that “we know there are advantages to oil development, but we know there are disadvantages too”.

It was then explained that as the event had overrun, there would be no time for questions. Gasps shot from around the room and people immediately protested, demanding that it was the people’s turn to be heard. The panel soon realized this could not be avoided and before numbers could be minimized, a line of people with queries had formed. The questions that followed each demonstrated that the interrogator was firmly opposed to oil exploration. As they spoke, they were treated to whoops of encouragement from the audience.  

A gentleman finally queried on the Government’s opinion of the People’s Position Paper, written collaboratively by leaders and members of communities across the district the week before. It outlined their concerns and appealed for the Government to work alongside them on oil development plans. 

Vega responded to say that he would look and respond to it in due time. The paper in question had been read aloud in front of all the major news outlets, shown on national television, discussed in newspaper reportage. Not to mention having been sent to his office, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment. Yet no attention or response had yet been given to the collaborative voice of the people whose lives are built upon the land where oil drilling to commence. 

That morning, men, women and children had gathered in their droves despite the pouring rain to listen to what Vega had to say. The Government themselves asked “listen and pay attention”. The people did, but when will the Government listen to the people?

Mayan villagers in Corazon

Indigenous people make united stand at summit

Attempting to adjust the trajectory of their nation’s development, the Indigenous Peoples of rural Belize call their Government’s approach into question

With the vast majority of Belize currently under concession from oil companies, the commitment of the Government on resource extraction is undeniable.  In the southern Toledo district, US Capital Energy are already at work and are reported to be just months from beginning to drill. The Indigenous Peoples, who have lived upon the land for generations, were expected to accept this as a done deal. Yet, to quietly sacrifice their land is not on their agenda. They are making a stand and forcing their Government to listen.

Panel of speakers listen to Greg Ch'oc

In Punta Gorda, the principal town in the district, leaders from indigenous villages crowd in a community hall. They have come to listen to experts on the legal, environmental, social and economic aspects of oil development. A translator reiterates in their Que’qchi language. After a series of round table discussions are held, it is proposed that a stand against the Government is made. A vote is held and a unanimous show of hands give their support.

 The participants decide to collaboratively write a declaration. A document is projected to the front of the room and the audience take turns to contribute to its content. Phrasing is debated and the use of single words questioned before finally agreed.  The resulting People’s Position Paper outlines the concerns of the Indigenous Peoples and states how they intend to proceed.

Santa Theresa's Mario Chub states the People's Position

The media soon arrive with their video cameras, microphones and flash photography. One of the village members is chosen to read the statement aloud. Santa Theresa resident Mario Chub stands defiantly as he reads: "We learned first hand about the hidden consequences of oil development, including challenges to negotiating fair and equitable compensation, dealing with inevitable environmental pollution and possible human rights violations."

He compounds their decision for a participial role for all communities in proceedings, stating with certainty that this is “the beginning of a conversation which will ensure that throughout the oil development process, our communities are treated with fairness; dignity and their legal and human rights are honoured.”

The unprecedented event is plastered across the news. The Mayan people are having their views heard by millions across the country, demanding that their human rights are respected throughout their country’s ill-conceived pursuit of wealth through oil. In the national debate on this contentious issue, their message is loud and clear.

Amandala Page 3, the widest read newspaper in Belize, 11/03/2011

 For the Mayan people whose lives are built upon lands that are an oil hot spot, extraction has irreversible social and cultural implications. For it to go ahead, they will have to sacrifice huge areas of their traditional land. Land where generations of their people have felled trees for buildings, hunted for food and sought natural medicines. The erosion of their culture will be inevitable as machines, foreigners, industrial infrastructure and pollution are brought into their rural villages. Should there be any of the inevitable mistakes and mishaps that are so common in oil extraction projects across the world, the consequences would be of catastrophic proportion.

Greg Ch’oc from Sarstoon Temash Institute of Indigenous Management (SATIIM) stated that “an oil spill would not only be an ecological disaster, but an act of genocide. For the Mayan people, their land is integral to their way of life.” Of Mayan background himself, Greg pioneers the rights of his indigenous people.  At the event in Punta Gorda, facilitated by SATIIM, Ch’oc speaks to his fellow people: “If we do not fight for our share, we’ll forever be worse than where we are right now... If we lose the land and lose the river and lose the wildlife, then what do we get? We end up losing everything.”

Whilst discussions take place amongst indigenous community members, Government officials stand outside the venue handing out leaflets to participants and passers by. Entitled ‘Facts about oil exploration’, the leaflet advertises all of the supposed benefits of oil extraction. Lee McLoughlin, from the organisation Ya’axché Conservation Trust, shakes his head in disbelief. “The irony is” he says “is that it has come from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment. I would like to know on what basis the Deputy Prime Minister, who is Minister of this department, claims that oil development is beneficial for the environment of Belize”.

The leaflet features the case study of Spanish Lookout as an example of a successful oil extraction project. Given that minutes earlier, Leonard Reimer, former member of the resident’s Petroleum Board at Spanish Lookout, was advising event participants of his regret of going ahead with oil exploration, its timing is almost comical. Reimer had just explained that the company failed to meet any of the agreed conditions of the contract intended to benefit his community.  He explains that the money they received as compensation “was not near what the damage was”. Members of his community were compelled to move away as they feared the pollution caused would affect their health. Meanwhile the oil company demanded that the biggest proportion of the money the community received be invested into new roads that could cater for their heavy machinery.

Despite dissatisfaction and protest, the leaders of the nation have dollar signs in their eyes as they consider the potential value of the oil buried underneath the feet of some of their people. In February, Prime Minister Barrow stated that US Capital Energy “is no more than 6 to 9 months away from actually beginning to drill, and certainly when they reach that point, drill they will”. Outcry ensued as numerous organisations in Belize declared such action illegal.

Today, the certainty with which Barrow stated that “that remains the position of the Government and that position will not change” is being questioned. As Ch’oc explains "The battleground is in Toledo, what happens in Toledo will determine what happens in the rest of the country.” The Indigenous Peoples are taking matters into their own hands to play a pivotal role in the future of their nation. They know their rights and they will not go down without a fight. 

Will Belizeans let history repeat itself?

A court in Ecuador has found Chevron Corporation guilty of crude oil pollution in the Amazon. Chevron have been ordered to pay US$8.64 billion in damages to residents of the Amazon. Yet, the residents have appealed the verdict stating that the amount awarded is not enough to repair the vast environmental damage inflicted by the oil giant.

The landmark ruling finds Chevron guilty of what has been dubbed ‘Rainforest Chernobyl’. During oil extraction 18 billion gallons of toxic waste were reportedly dumped into unlined pits and rivers. Cancer rates amongst the local people have been seen to increase as they were forced to drink from contaminated water sources, bathe in polluted rivers and breathe in toxic vapours. Four times as many children in the area have leukaemia as elsewhere in Ecuador, with children as young as a few months dying from the disease.  

An unlined waste pit filled with crude oil left by Texaco -  Lou Dematteis

In Belize, Government is making moves to allow another oil firm into an area of huge biological significance. Prime Minister Barrow declared“the Government has no intention in stopping the exploration process, especially not in the Sarstoon-Temash Park… US Capital energy, which is the company that has the concession, I think is no more than 6 to 9 months away from actually beginning to drill. And certainly when they reach that point drill they will.”

Since the case against Chevron began, the Government of Ecuador have strived to avoid further drilling in the area. In an innovative move, President Correa appealed to the international community to subsidise a decision to cease further exploitation. Their proposal was that Ecuador would not allow extraction of their largest oil field in the Amazon if compensation would be given.

The quantity of oil in the area, known as the Yasuni National Park, is estimated at 850million barrels and is worth a possible US $7,000million.  Correa asked for compensation of US$350 million to be given each year for 10 years. The proposed 50% profit margin to be given to the Government of Ecuador is an excellent return on the oil. Had Correa instead formed a contract with an international oil firm, it is likely that a smaller fraction of the profits would have been received.

Correa’s proposal for the world to “share in the sacrifice” of Ecuador in the fight against global warming and to preserve the biodiversity of the Earth was commended by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. It offered the country the economic benefits of oil exploration without damage to the environment and with no further human cost. 

During the Aguinda v ChevronTexaco case, experts testified that oil exploration cost local people their livelihoods as crops were destroyed and animals killed. Photographic and video evidence was shown in court of the vast crude oil pollution such as toxic waste swamps and ignored oil spills. Health specialists concluded that increased cases of cancer are a direct result of oil related contamination.

Old oil barrels - Kayana Szymczak

In Ecuador, lessons were learned. The more recent innovation of Correa’s Government proves that there can be a solution to the economic, environmental, social and cultural concerns that energy development brings. As an alternative to oil drilling it sets a precedent.

For now there will be no further oil exploration in the Ecuadorian Amazon. This offers little respite for the Aguinda that have been fighting for 18 years for reparation from Chevron and the clean up is yet to begin. Described by campaigners Amazon Watch as “an environmental and public health catastrophe”, the damage caused to their lives and land by oil firm Texaco, who were bought out by Chevron, is irreversible. 

Even the multibillion payout awarded by the court in Ecuador is deemed as insubstantial. Luis Yanza, speaking on behalf of the Assembly of those Affected by Chevron said “eight billion dollars does not represent a significant amount to repair the environmental damages”.  The plaintiffs are appealling the verdict, as are Chevron, claiming it “contrary to the legitimate scientific evidence”. A date for the appeal is yet to be set.

In Belize, preparations are going ahead for oil exploration in the Sarstoon-Temash National Park. This is in despite of oil exploration being declared “illegal” by numerous organisations including SATIIM and APAMO. Previously, SATIIM successfully took Government to court on contention of this issue. The court ruled that seismic testing could go ahead in the park as ‘scientific research’ only if an Environmental Impact Assessment took place.  Greg Ch’oc, Executive Director at SATIIM is adamant that “at no point did this judgment allow for drilling to take place in STNP, even for exploratory purposes.” Yet the Government progresses with its oil development plans.

Sarstoon-Temash National Park

It was back in 1994 that the 50,000 acres park was dedicated a protected area, a contract legally bound under the National Parks Systems Act. The area is home to 38 Mayan communities who have respected the area as protected and refrained from utilising the land and its resources for the past seventeen years. It contains plants species and ecosystems found nowhere else in Belize and is home to endangered species such as the jaguar and manatee.

An ecological disaster of the scale of that in Ecuador would have catastrophic consequences for the area considered the most biologically diverse in the country. The lives of the Mayan people, who rely on the land for food and shelter, would be gravely affected. Repair would take years at best and may even be impossible.

The voices of multiple organisations are calling for the public to stand up and join a national debate on oil exploration in protected areas such as the Sarstoon-Temash National Park. They are campaigning for alternative and sustainable development solutions that do not pose a risk to our natural heritage or to the culture of indigenous people.

The historic success of  the 30,000 inhabitants of the Amazon rainforest is unprecedented.  According to Amazon Watch it is the first time indigenous people have sued a multinational company in the crime where the crime was committed and one. They hope that it “sends a loud and clear message”.  The Mayan people of the Toledo region can but hope that this message reaches the people of Belize. Let Belize not make the same mistake as Ecuador.

PM makes shocking illegal statements

PM Barrow announces that drilling will go ahead in Sarstoon-Temash National Park and wrongly states that such action is in keeping with the law

Today, Prime Minister Barrow today hosted his first quarterly news conference of the year. The two hour long event commenced harmoniously and he soon pleased the public with an announcement that there will be no new taxes. He then dropped a bombshell.

"the Government has no intention in stopping the exploration process, especially not in the Sarstoon Temash Park... US Capital energy  is no more than 6 to 9 months away from actually beginning to drill. And certainly when they reach that point drill they will'

 A public outcry is sure to ensue. Outraged, SATIIM is trying to set the record straight. Joining forces with numerous organisations including APAMO, the Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage and the Mayan Leaders Alliance, we are working to highlight the laws in place to protect areas such as the Sarstoon-Temash National Park and the intention of the Government to ignore them.

The statement made by PM Barrow demonstrates his complete disregard for the laws that are in place to protect our country and its people. He claimed that in the 2006 Supreme Court Decision regarding SATIIM v the Government of Belize, the Court decided the "legality of drilling… was perfectly consistent, perfectly in order". This is a fabrication and shows he has gravely misinterpreted the decision. To go ahead with the oil drilling in Sarstoon-Temash National Park (STNP) would be illegal.

To clarify, in 2006 the Supreme Court ruled that seismic testing could go ahead, in keeping with environmental regulations, as 'scientific research’. At no point did this judgment allow for drilling to take place in STNP, even for exploratory purposes. Under the Environmental Protection Act, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would have to be conducted. Only 'seismic activities associated with the exploration phase' were addressed by the EIA that was completed in 2007.

Since the judgment of 2006, SATIIM has been working with local communities and associated organizations to ascertain how development can be approached to best benefit every Belizean. It is calling for the Government to make decisions in line with the law of our country and with the support of all Belizeans.

'To drill for oil is contempt of court' Maya leader states

The Mayan Leaders Alliance speak out against oil drilling in the Toledo District and declare their defiance to protect their lands.

Cristina Coc, member of the Mayan Leaders Alliance was interviewed on national radio yesterday, 9th February 2011.  She called into question the legality of proposed development in the area and called for public support in the protection of the land and Mayan rights.

"We have been seeing... concessions being granted on Maya land, particularly in areas in Southern Belize that have been named by the Supreme Court as lands that are used and occupied by Mayan people. We thought that it was necessary... to point out that Government has no legal authority to allow oil activity on our lands, particularly because of the injunction that was granted by the Supreme Court on June 28th of last year.

"If permission was given and Companies began to drill for oil or there was any activity, the Government would be in contempt of Court. And we would certainly make sure that we follow through with that. It would be violating the orders of the Supreme Court of Belize.

"We are not saying no development or no exploration. What we are saying is that for any of these activities to happen, whether it be drilling for oil, whether it be any kind of resource extraction, or any kind of development on lands that our people live, it has to be a situation where both Government and the Maya people make those decisions together and sit at equal ends of the table. It can't be that Government makes those decisions without informed consent of the people or without any kind of agreement between both parties. We have to begin to sit together and come to some kind of resolution.

"We'd certainly like to also expect support along with the Environmental Organization, to help in championing the cause against oil exploration in protected areas. We feel that it's not just Mayan Land. It's also those areas that have been protected. So we stand in solidarity with organizations like APAMO...  we feel that as Maya people we've always stood against social injustice, and we agree with them.  We agree that it's time for us to stand up with the people and resist where there is an injustice."

A complete transcript of the interview is available at Love FM

A frightening reality check

Will your family be living next to a polluting oil field? 

This map shows the vast amount of our nation that has been sold to corporate giants seeking our resources for their wealth. Petroleum contracts have been given by Government in all but the few remaining white areas. Everywhere else, petroleum operations are currently going ahead. 

We must act to stop this now. Soon, it will be too late. 

Kimano, son of Denys - Oil Prospector!

 Posted: 28/01/2011 - 10:32 AM

Author: Adele Ramos - adelescribe@gmail.com





Amandala received a revised printed version of Belize’s petroleum contracts map on Wednesday, January 26, showing that a major concession—the largest onshore block—has been granted to a newly formed company, Paradise Energy Limited, whose shareholders are listed as Alfredo Acosta and Kimano Barrow, nephew of Prime Minister Barrow and son of Justice Denys Barrow. The company (in which Barrow holds 50% stake) was formed less than a year ago.



Kimano Barrow, Commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission, confirmed via phone that he is a shareholder of the company, but he told us that he has no further comment at this time.



Before we could ask the younger Barrow why he has invested in a concession for an area that government experts have publicly declared has “no petroleum potential,” he dismissed our call, saying he only returned our call because he thought we were calling him about something important.



Amandala was unable to reach Acosta, who we understand has interest in another petroleum concession granted under the People’s United Party administration.



The concession area which Barrow and Acosta have acquired spans the Maya Mountain Massif, and includes some of Belize’s most prized forests, particularly the area spanning the Chiquibul, where gold prospects are said to be very promising. (See map)



In our July 1, 2010, headline story captioned “Broke, no experience, but gets oil concession!!” we had reported on a statement made to us by Director of Geology and Petroleum, Andre Cho, that no contracts were given out for the Maya Mountains area, because it is not a sedimentary basin.



A Canadian company going by the name Centam Canadian Energy Corporation had, nonetheless, won a concession for the Maya Mountains under the Musa administration in January 2008.



Cho had told Amandala back in July 2010 that that company, owned by an Arab, Bassam Al-Sarraj, was a “fly by night” venture. “He got it under [Florencio] Marin,” Cho said, claiming that there is no petroleum potential in that portion of Belize.



He had also told Amandala that the Canadian company did not pay the first year of fees and the concession was cancelled. The BZ$300,000 that comes in yearly from such concessions is “enough to pay some bills,” Cho had told us.



Prime Minister Dean Barrow told Amandala this evening when we asked him about Paradise Energy Limited that “the name doesn’t ring a bell.” When we told him that his nephew is a shareholder, he said, “I don’t know about that.”



The Minister of Natural Resources, Gaspar Vega, who Amandala was unable to reach today, brings those contracts to Cabinet, and if the company got a concession, then it would have had to have been after Cabinet consideration, said the Prime Minister.



If indeed Kimano got a concession, then “bully for him,” Prime Minister Barrow commented, saying that his nephew would have gotten the contract “fair and square.”



He went on to say that he is sure that the concession is “in some low potential area.”



He insists that Toledo is the most promising part of the country for petroleum exploration, and reiterates his government’s position that it will allow petroleum exploration onshore Belize—not barring such activities in protected areas.



This Tuesday, the Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage held a press conference to reiterate its call on Government to ban petroleum exploration offshore Belize and inside protected areas.



For Barrow, the Supreme Court has already established that petroleum exploration can be done inside protected areas. He said that he will await the results of a national referendum, for which the Coalition is calling, to finally decide how to proceed with new petroleum contracts offshore.



Yesterday, Oceana issued a call on Government to not issue any further offshore contracts in light of its finding that the Chinese Petroleum Corporation, owned by the state of Taiwan, had relinquished its entire offshore concession for 1.139 million acres. The contract was acquired through CPC’s overseas arm — Overseas Petroleum Investment Corporation.



Oceana says, “Among the reasons OPIC is abandoning its lease is the growing public opposition to any oil exploration and development that would harm the country’s prized barrier reef.”



It points out that the government did not make this relinquishment public—but neither did the government report that concession areas in Orange Walk for two other companies—RSM Production Corporation of the USA and West Bay Belize Limited—were also vacated during 2010, our newspaper has observed.