Full Breakdown
Indigenous Women in Ecuador Raise Alarm Over Oil Expansion
3/15/2026, 6:39:54 AM
Toxitour Highlights Environmental Impact
In early March 2026, approximately 30 Indigenous women from various communities in Ecuador's Amazon embarked on a "toxictour" to witness the environmental degradation caused by oil extraction in the northeastern province of Sucumbios. Among them was Julia Catalina Chumbi, a 76-year-old leader from the Shuar ethnic group, who expressed her distress upon seeing polluted streams and gas flares near oil pipelines. "Everything is contaminated, even the air," she remarked, highlighting the severe impact of decades of oil and gas production in the region.
The women, representing seven Indigenous communities, aimed to connect with those already affected by oil operations, sharing experiences and strategies to resist potential new oil concessions in their territories. The tour included visits to the Libertador oil field, operated by Ecuador's state oil company, Petroamazonas, where they observed firsthand the contamination of local ecosystems.
Government Plans for Oil Expansion
Ecuador's government recently unveiled a "hydrocarbon road map" proposing a $47 billion expansion of the oil and gas sector, which includes new licensing rounds for exploration blocks in the Amazon. Many of these blocks overlap with Indigenous territories, raising concerns among environmental groups and Indigenous leaders about the potential for increased drilling, pipeline construction, and gas flaring. Critics argue that many communities have not provided the free, prior, and informed consent required under Ecuadorian law and international human rights agreements.
Natalia Yepes, a legal adviser for Amazon Watch, emphasized the importance of sharing experiences among women from different regions, stating, "Women in the north have already lived through more than 50 years of oil exploitation." This sentiment reflects the urgency felt by many participants who fear that new projects could replicate the environmental devastation witnessed in Sucumbios.
Indigenous Resistance and Advocacy
The toxitour reinforced the resolve of many participants to protect their territories. Dayuma Nango, vice president of the Association of Waorani Women of Ecuador, expressed her determination to keep oil companies out of Waorani territory, stating, "Our forest is our mother." The Waorani have previously achieved significant victories against oil development, including a landmark court ruling in 2019 that blocked drilling in Block 22 due to inadequate consultation with local communities.
The women concluded their tour with workshops in Nueva Loja, where they discussed strategies for resistance and prepared for upcoming demonstrations on International Women’s Day. Ruth Peñafiel, a Kichwa leader, articulated their collective mission: "We want to live in a healthy environment and in harmony with the forest."
Verbatim Quotes
- “Everything is contaminated, even the air,” — Julia Catalina Chumbi, Shuar Leader
- “Our forest is our mother,” — Dayuma Nango, Vice President of the Association of Waorani Women of Ecuador
- “What we are going to do is fight,” — Julia Catalina Chumbi, Shuar Leader
Conclusion
The toxitour serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by Indigenous communities in Ecuador against the backdrop of expanding oil and gas operations. As these women return to their territories, they carry with them a renewed commitment to advocate for their rights and the protection of their environment.
