Issue of the day Sunday 09 March 2008
 
 
CIUDAD BOLIVAR, STATE BOLIVAR, VENEZUELA
 
 
Yekwanas say it is still a group
Expelled 570 illegal miners of the Caura
 
Nearly 570 miners during February Yuruani crossed the river in the Upper Caura, were expelled from the area thanks to an operation deployed by the Theater of Operations. 5 and the Navy River.
This was reported Arturo Rodriguez, coordinating general of the Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Caura River Basin (Kuyujani), during a press conference held at the premises of the Indigenous Federation of Bolivar, who also added that the eviction was achieved in a peaceful manner and respecting human rights.
But he clarified that "there are still groups in the area, the characteristics of the forest sector have allowed some hide, but the strength of TO5 still there and we hope that will remain until they leave all".
The action was taken after the representative of the 52 communities Yekwanas and Sanema people in the basin Caura denounce before the Standing Committee on Indigenous Peoples of the National Assembly penetration more than a thousand illegal during the month of February, "we did surrender and the deputy president of the Indigenous Parliament, Jose Poyo, a detailed report of the new invasion of illegal miners in the river Yuruani, our complaint was assisted, Yekwanas appreciate the departure of the miners of our territory ".
"Indigenous peoples Yekwana and Sanema for 10 years we have been fighting for the defence of the environment; the Caura area is a virgin who has not been compromised or destroyed by landowners or miners, which covers a vast territory of four million hectares, where there is a vast biodiversity (…) for the conservation of the basin depends on our survival and food, customs and culture, we have reason to protect it. "
He explained that Kuyujani, is a social organization founded in 1996, which includes among its charter to defend the rights of indigenous peoples Yekwana and Sanema, also the defence and protection of the environment and the Caura Arebato, "we are working according Kuyujani of our communities so that they are aware of the situation that's happening in the world and Venezuela. "
Among the functions of the organization is holding an annual general meeting where the main problems are evaluated for both peoples and define actions, "our last meeting was held in January 2008, the 52 communities were discussing mining in the Caura and there was proposed first in the area of the river Yuruani absence gold exploitation, zero mining, and that Yekwanas who left their community 10 years ago and who are involved in mining Yekwanas cease to be. "
Joseph Gregory Cascante, coordinate political participation of the Indigenous Federation of Bolivar State, said that there are indigenous "stuffed into these irregularities and very responsibly say, the directive Kuyujani as the Federation, if it is found that their participation must be punished as non-indigenous, "stressed.
The general coordinator of Kuyujani assured that this group of Yekwanas leaving their communities and are now established in Maripa insist that the mines are opened and Yuruani be exploited, "they no longer believe Yekwanas, they are the ones who are promoting, disseminating such exploitation, which will be opening mining in the Caura, but the 52 communities we resist. "
Let that information related to gold production in the sector have reported that the mines are very rich, but until now those who have invaded have not achieved much, Creole communities spread all this as if there are many minerals, however in practice is not much, "said Rodriguez.
Finally, the general coordinator of Kuyujani thanked action Theater of Operations. 5 and assured that the protection of the watershed of the Caura remain in the hands of Yekwanas, who with accessory universities and environmental organizations have been organized to protect their environment and long-term livelihood.