Panama’s Indigenous resist hydroelectric projects
As part of a massive effort to wean Panama off it's dependence on foreign energy, there are currently over 90 hydroelectric projects slated for development throughout the country.
Of course, not all of them will be pursued, but then several will--including some that seriously threaten Panama's indigenous People; for starters, the Ngobe and Naso.
The Changuinola project
"I will not go" says Isabel. "If the company wants to send police to kill me, go ahead."
The Changuinola project, according Isabel Becker and other Ngobe living in Charco la Pava, Panama, "will displace thousands of villagers and create a 3,500-acre lake in a wilderness area bordering Central America's largest tract of virgin rain forest." In slight contrast, AES, the Virginia-based power company behind the project, comfortably asserts that only 140 families would be relocated, and that there is really no cause for concern because they would be well compensated.
Whatever the case, there is another concern which cannot be passed off so lightly. Isabel Becker and two family members tell a story about how "AES employees in Panama City badgered [Isabel] to relinquish the rights to her land, holding her in a meeting room for more than 12 hours." Then, after midnight, "she affixed her thumbprint to a document surrendering the rights to her property in return for $9,500, plus a $100 monthly payment that will continue until Becker has established a new farm to feed her family." The document was written in Spanish, but Isabel only speaks Ngobe and cannot read or write.
With that in mind, I should point out that AES likes to think of itself as an active member of the communities in which they work... Is this the kind of member you want in your community?
The Ngobe don't, that much is clear. In a letter to AES (pdf), the Ngobe implore the corporation and its shareholders to cancel the dam projects; asking them, “Will you facilitate the elimination of our lifestyles … Will you allow the flooding of our homes and families?” The letter was signed by 144 people, representing many from the villages which would be flooded.
The Bonyic hydroelectric project
"My people have grown here. We have lived here. And we will die here."
The Bonyic hydroelectric project is another which threatens Indigenous people--specifically the Naso (Teribe). Three years ago the Naso staged a coup against their Leader, then-king Tito Santana, for supporting the 30-megawatt dam that would drastically alter their lives and territory--causing deforestation, decreasing the water and air quality as well as in animal populations, and most definitely bring an influx of settlers and future development.
Tito Santana is no longer in power, despite the attempt by Riot Police to force him back in, but the project is still slated to go ahead.
The Leader of the Naso today, King Valentin Santana, is clearly more in line with the People. He says "I must fight for the land so that our children, in the future, will have a place," vowing to protest against the project. "My people have grown here. We have lived here. And we will die here."
Both of these hydroelectric projects are widely opposed by the people, as well as by several public-interest groups around the world. In fact, there are currently more than 50 indigenous and environmental groups representing over a million people demanding AES withdraw from these projects, because the threats they will impose are serious and immediate.
If you would like to express your opposition to these development projects, please head over to actionnetwork.org and fill out the petition.
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Well I’ve been catching up with this subject. Read that 40% of the project is already accomplished.
And also that conditions for the indigenous were far better.
I think this project must be of national interest since so many lives will be changed forever. Some people say it’s good others prefer the project to be shutdown but in the long run we need to ask ourselves if this is for the greater good of the community.
I know this place of Panama, and there, in Bocas del Toro, is like a rare mix of Heaven and Hell. Heaven, because the beaty of nature transport you to the garden of Eden. Hell, because the poverty of the indigenous people that live in there…
This people needs progres, work and civilization…Let them be be for poberty, let them be free to embrace progress!!!
No, the People don’t need progress, Max. Have you ever talked with the Naso or Ngobe before? Looked at the world from their perspective? Asked them their hope and dreams, the kind of life they want to live?
Some would tell you want to live a “modern” life but most would tell you that they just want to be left alone: to live their own life, without any outside interference, and above all, without companies coming on to their land, poisoning their water, an breaking their communities into nothing.
Well Ahni … the United Nations Relator actually recommends not to isolate indigenous communities.
From what I’ve heard, Panama is trying very hard to embrace the use of water based energy, as opposed from just using oil.
The key here is a true dialogue and a real improvement in the quality of life for the people who live near the proyect.
Forgive me if this sounds a little defensive, Jonas, but so far the government hasn’t been interested in dialogue. Instead they have viewed the Naso and Ngboe as “disposable” and undeserving of even the most basic human rights. And they have been treated accordingly.
Consider how police have been stripping and humiliating pregnant women and children, literally destroying villages (and surrounding them for days, so they can’t access water or food or shelter) and verbally terrorizing the people. There’s a long list of abuses.
They’re doing this because the Naso and Ngobe don’t want to sacrifice their land, their culture or their livelihood for a bit of hydro power.
If there was room for diaolgue, genuine dialogue, the Naso and Ngobe would be open to it. But they have not had a chance to anything but sit down and obey “or else”
No offense taken Ahni. Dialogue here and everywhere is what’s right.
I read senior officials are looking in to the matter. But there is also the reality that a new government is starting in Panama. So we’ll have to wait …
AES remains a dynamic enterprise that is distinguished and defined by the extraordinary talent and commitment of our people. AES people share knowledge worldwide, work in teams and enjoy a unique mix of accountability and the freedom to grow. And as a learning organization, we provide the support, training and guidance to make sure AES people learn, grow and succeed.
I have talked with the Naso and the Gnobe people and I know very well their perspective of life…They have been isolated and abandoned by generations and they want to be free of this abandon and that isolation…Let them be free…
Having been in the Teribe and Changuinola regions many times, and also as a frequent viewer of blogs related to the Bonyic hydroproject and the Chan 75 project, I find it amazing that the same posts are found in many, many sites… from Joe Simmons, Jonas Webber, Max Harrison, and Sandy Lopez. Your rave reviews of AES kinda make one think you work for them. If so, that’s fine, but don’t hide it.
I have talked and worked with people from Naso and Ngobe communities. Perspectives vary, and the lack of consultation of the communities by large, multi-national companies is the basis for the recent decision of the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights regarding Chan 75 and the Ngobe. Anyway, I could be wrong and you all may just be frequent blog visitors yourselves. “Development” is not always what it claims to be. The important thing is to involve the most affected people in the discussions, to take their concerns into consideration, and to proceed with respect for the people, the natural environment, and with a vision of a long-term (fiscally, socially, and environmentally) sound project.
Interesting… thanks for commenting, Sceptic.
“The important thing is to involve the most affected people in the discussions, to take their concerns into consideration, and to proceed with respect for the people, the natural environment, and with a vision of a long-term (fiscally, socially, and environmentally) sound project.”
Respect the United Nations Declaration of the Right of Indigenous peoples