Despite the demarcation of indigenous territories in Venezuela, and the Decree issued last year (see comment) by President Hugo Chavez that prohibited new coal mines from being built in the Sierra de Perija — and even though no more bombs are being tossed into their communities — the indigenous People of Venezuela, especially the Bari, continue to find themselves surrounded by the prospect of their own demise.
Unless the government designs (and implements) specific plans for each of Venezuela’s 32 distinct Peoples—plans that account for their land and resource needs above all …
