Gran Chaco Americano

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Special Report. The Chaco Region, Paraguay

New government gives green light to the region´s big sell-off. 2

Indigenous forced labour persists in Chaco. 5 Floods leave thousands homeless. 8

Between the corporate takeover and indigenous forced labour

A parliamentary coup is allowing natural resources in one of the planet's most important ecosystems to be handed over to oil and agribusiness multinationals. Meanwhile, indigenous communities continue to be exploited by large landowners.

New government gives green light to the region´s big sell-off. by Alexandre Praça

On 28 June, five days after the parliamentary coup that ousted This rapid destruction has already brought President Fernando Lugo, a high-level business meeting was about irreversible changes to the Chaco re- held at the Government Palace in Asuncion. The new head of gion's soil, and fresh water shortages are state, Federico Franco, did not conceal his pride at having closed already a reality in many areas. Providing a deal with Texas-based Crescent Global Oil, giving it the go a warning of the type of natural disasters ahead to start operations in the vast Chaco region in northern to come in addition to climate change, the Paraguay. Richard González, the CEO of the U.S. multinational, worst floods since 1979 were recorded in announced that following the agreement with the new govern- the region (see news below), claiming at ment he already had everything in place and was ready to start least six lives and affecting over 13,000 drilling. families.

"There is nothing in the Chaco region, in Palmar Largo (oil field), there isn't even any cattle there. It is the first place we are looking Parliamentary coup into to drill," said González in an interview on radio Cardinal de Paraguay. "We have confidence in President Franco and this gov- For many analysts, the ousting of President ernment, which is why we have come to invest millions of dollars, Fernando Lugo is a demonstration of the because we really feel supported. We have, with this government, power concentrated in the hands of large the legal security and the assur- ance of the executive, and we be- lieve that Paraguay deserves the investment." For agribusiness, cattle and oil industry

The Chaco region the Texan CEO leaders, it is the last frontier for the refers to as a place where "there is expansion of their business interests. nothing" is, along with the Ama- zon, one of the largest biomes in South America. The area is often compared with inland Australia for its topography and climate, and stretches over 240,000 square landowners, soya agribusiness interests and kilometres. Despite occupying 62% of the Paraguayan territory, industrial leaders in Paraguay. Despite hav- only 5% of the country's population lives there. There are 3,400 ing won the elections in 2008, the progres- plant species in the region, 500 bird species and 150 mammal sive forces united around Lugo's candidacy species. A variety of ethnic groups still live in the area: Guaraní, did not manage to change the conservative Nivaclé, Majui, Guarayos, Chamacocos, and even "uncontacted" composition of the Senate and the House of indigenous groups, the Ayoreo. Deputies. The legislative chamber contin- ued to be dominated by the most conserva- It is also one of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet. tive elements of the Colorado party, which For agribusiness, cattle and oil industry leaders, it is the last fron- governed the country for 61 years, including tier for the expansion of their business interests. It is estimated the 35 years under the bloody dictatorship that two million hectares, an area the size of Wales, was deforest- of General Stroessner. ed between the year 2000 and 2010. right to defendhimself. the given being without hours, 40 than less within office from removed was He massacre. the for responsible directly being of him accusing Lugo, against proceedings impeachment opened Congress The Asuncion. capital the Curuguaty,tatein from km 200 some es- large a of reform, agrarian under return, the for calling demonstration a during landdis- out broke of a clashes The pute. context the in of- ficers police six and campesinos 11 of 2012, June 15 on death, the trig- by gered was ousting Lugo's President disputes multiplied. and land groups, andcampesino byindigenous land for fight The large landowners reacted violently tothe the stepping up of oligarchies. long-standing the to hostage became it time, same theelection.At its secured had movementsthat social the from itself governmentdistanced the and was weakenedreform, ian agrar- issue, important most country's the regarding promises main electoral its of one fulfil toHaving failed land. the of 82% occupyfarms agricultural of 2% America: South in distribution land agrarian unequal most the with country the is Paraguay 82% oftheland. America: 2%ofagriculturalfarmsoccupy unequal agrarianlanddistributioninSouth Paraguay isthecountry withthemost Special Report. TheChaco Region, Paraguay valued at four billion dollars. Environmen- dollars. billion four at valued smelter aluminium an establish to plans its and Alcan Tinto Rio multinational nadian Ca- the for support his announced also He the "landinvasions". stop and property private protect to sector, agribusiness the support to promised ident zilian agribusiness exporters. The new pres- Bra- meetings with holding began and ness government busi- toParaguay open that was announced new the later, days two Just oPenf or business

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© Agencia Brasil © David Browne lost, and restoring it is extremely difficult," commented Cre commented difficult," extremely is it restoring and lost, nous Peoples (CDPICHACO). Indige of Council Chaco the of coordinator Cáceres, cencio the Republic. he announcedinhisfirstspeech aspresidentof progress,"to key the holds region Chaco the forward,take jects we Americas, the Atlantic and the Pacific. For this reason, in all the pro The Paraguayanprogress. entry Chaco is toto Asia become for the the port of national to key the be to destined is region Chaco "The "empty" Chacoregion. the extensive development of the for all seeds; modified genetically the of use and agriculture of mechanisation intensive the pipeline, petroleum and gas a es, bridg- roads, of building billions the into worth investments for support seeking is president the Oil, Global Crescent with signed deal the to as addition In president. month first his during even forts in working towards this goal, ef- no spared has leader new The country".the of "vision his oping keyas region develtothe sees He - obsessions. abiding most Franco's Federico of Paraguayan one perhaps is Chaco the Transforming SouthAmerica". into theindustrialhubof turnParaguay to and country the enter to firms of "thousands for point starting the is 970multinational the of paraguaya arrival the that AM radio on interview an in declared nonetheless Franco state. Paraguayan the by subsidised be to have will that costs energy electrical high the and damage environmental ible talist groups are opposed to irreversthe - project given the risk of socialdisster f ln lf hs led been already has life plant of deal great A 20 years. next the within destroyed completely be could it it, defend don't we If region. Chaco the in high historic a reached has ation deforest and ranches, cattle for waymake to cleared being are lands "The peoples. enous indig the inhabitants, tional tradi and legitimate region's the for worry major developa is ment of vision Franco's of I Crecencio Cáceres, coordinatorChaco ofthe Council culture. our owneducation,soasnotto loseour our peoples.We wantto take charge of The best path for the future is to educate ndigenous Peoples Special Report. TheChaco Region, Paraguay ------conducted by the International Trade Un Trade International the by conducted study recent A estates. large the on abuse exploitationand for prey easy are children and women men, Indigenous subsistence. of source secure only their employmentas salaried to resorting are ranchers, and cattle agribusiness by lands their leave to mental disaster. Indigenous peoples, forced environ an with faced only not is Chaco list of candidates fortheSenate. list of the head to Lugo on counting is and gress Con National the in possible seats of ber num highest the towin wants also Guazu next Frente the year.called Thisalliance of April in held be to elections the in presi dency the contest to planning however, is, movements eight and parties pro gressive 12 of group A distant. more become has future this government, new the With is notlost," explained Crecencio. teachings, so that our traditional life way of of deal great a people young our offer still Thecan eldersculture. our lose to not as so education, own our of Wecharge take to want peoples. our educate to is future the for path best "The culture. and their values defending peoples, and lands their against offensive the resist to trying are com munities indigenous of representatives The and debt bondage(seearticle below). labour forced labour, child as viola such rights tions, human and labour serious confirmed has (ITUC) Confederation ion

• 4 > news at work ------without any kindoflegalprotection. under extremely precarious conditions and themselves find forced to workoutsidetheircommunities Ñandeva Guaraní The in the Chaco region. In response, the Ministry of Justice and La- and Justice Ministryof the response, In region. Chaco the in labour forced and servitude of persistence the to pointed Issues Indigenous on Forum Permanent Nations United the 2009, In the lastUnited Nationsmissionto the country. since Confederation changed has nothing Union that indicates evidence Trade New (ITUC). International the by out carried study new a of conclusions main the are These Chaco. aguayan Par- the in living communities indigenous the for everydaylife of part still are servitude debt and labour forced labour, Child tions, despiteinternationalcommitments. The authoritiesturnablindeyetohumanrightsviola- persists inChaco. Indigenous forced labour

Special Report. TheChaco Region, Paraguay ed. In June 2012, the ILO requested informa- eradicat been fact in has problem the that sure so not are organisations International the country's mainnewspaper ABCColor. told Mongelós Raúl Minister Vice Security Social and area,"Labour the in work decent on operation fourth the June, in concluded, we and employers, and communities enous indig- held with been have seminars of ber a num- established, been has office Regional Labour a up, set been has region Chaco the in labour forced eradicate to committee tripartite a standards, labour with pliance awareness conducted campaigns and procedures to promote com- have "We region. the in exploitation of signs more no were there governmentdeclaredthat the 2011, In forcedlabour. of preventionat the rights and damental work same toplandrawfun- year action on an up tripartitecommitteea established that bour

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© David Browne headed by theParaguayan anthropologist MarilinRehnfeldt. was and work their regarding peoples indigenous terviewswith in- group and individual extensive on based was research The legalprotection. out any kindof with- and conditions precarious extremely under communities export.They tofor their themselves forced ing outside find work soyational land plantationsto and the cattleexpansion of ranch- tradi- of losses biggest the suffered Ñandeva,have Guaraní who the of territory the mapped and 2011, and 2010 between year,a for conducted was research The authorities. Paraguayan the made by claims the belies also ITUC the by out carried study The about theprocess,asinformationhadnotbeensent. communities indigenous with held consultations the regarding references requested also It respect. this in made commitments the of implementation the regarding government the from tion on cattle ranches who work all their lives without receiving any receiving without lives their all work rancheswho cattle on living people indigenous the was found cases worst the of One explained indigenous worker Isaías Posorajai. again," work given been never have they but done, have people few A job. their leaves one no out, get doesn't it why that's and people leave a job "If they are never hired again, people are afraid ten usethreatsto avoid beingdenounced. of- bosses interviews,the indigenous explainedthat the workers the During fulfilled. not are established initially conditions the if demands making of way no have workers the contract, ment The contracts are negotiated verbally. Having no written employ- taken back to theircommunitiesagain. far away from their settlements. They stay there until they can be workplace the to them take and job specific a do to a community from men of group a temporary hire generally are Intermediaries region workers. Chaco the in workers indigenous Most

Deb t servitude Asuncion María Benítez, aGuaraníÑandevafrom N anything ofthemagain. but thentheygomissing.We don't hear ensures usthattheywillalsobeschooled, Many girlsgoaway to workandtheboss ueva Special Report. TheChaco Region, Paraguay ranchescom and communities their from the reach them to kilometres 150 as far as travel of Many ranches. the on workers domestic as employed often are Women cover thetransportcosts. plainbarelyare salaries the that toenough the ranch until they are old and die, without on lives their all work that men are "There fit: deems boss the as long as for property the on stay to right the and food just pay, bour.matterNo our howhard peopleyoung la- indigenous for paid not is price fair "A ok o oe a wl a men. as well as women to work the in Chaco region, offering temporary employment of major source a are ranches cattle The er told theresearchers. lives and that's it," a Ñandeva lead their all work just They families. their or themselves for pension) (allowances, anything receiving

Missing girls

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© Alistair Wilkie various indigenous women inagroupinterview. explainedbasis," daily a on almost given are they that work tra exIt's do tasks. to usual nothing "Thethe sayshas with boss this remunerated. usually not cleaning is Thiswork house. the other around chores and washing do who children, their by helped often are workers domestic Women indigenous woman MaríaBogado. jobs,"explained secure havedon't they work, cannot and ill are parents their necessity, of out for work look to leave ry for the communities: "Young women cities to look for work is a constant wor- The exodusyoung girls of who go to the searchers. re- the told Asuncion Nueva from Ñandeva Guaraní a Benítez, Argentina,"María or Brazil to go they that said It's again. them of anything hear don't We missing. go they then but be schooled, also will they that us ensures boss the and work to away go girls Many want. they work the get don't they study, and work farmers, they have gone on to become major agribusiness en- agribusiness major become to on gone have they farmers, small as out Starting ago. years 90 almost Paraguay to grated immi- Europe Northern and Central from groups Protestant Thesereported. also has Nations United the as Mennonites, particularly the violations, rights human in landowners large of the interviewsthe facts arising out of One is of the involvement

Who doesthelanbelong to? a result. peoples have losttheirtraditionalhabitatas over recent yearsandtheindigenous The Mennonites' dominationhasexpanded Special Report. TheChaco Region, Paraguay -

© David Browne indigenous communities. among epidemics tuberculosis and trition malnu- widespread to rise giving regions, some in extinct almost become have ple, exam- for fauna, and Wildflora result. a as habitat traditional their lost have peoples indigenous the and years recent over ed expand has domination Mennonites' The nonites' factories orranches. left with is therefore to work as labourers in are the Men- people indigenous the tive alterna- only The colonies. agricultural or districts workers' as such areas, restricted more increasingly in live to communities the forcing lands, indigenous on settled Mennonites the that out points study The CentralChaco. tually allof buyingtrepreneurs, across land the up vir- nous communities do not legally own their own legally not do communities nous indige - the of 52% that estimated now is It gitimate owners. le- their to them return to impossible it ing mak lands, the occupied landowners large deeds, title the transferring delaysin the of Takinglost. havebeen pose since advantage pur- this for state the by bought hectares munity property. However, at least 200,000 com- as designation their and lands cupied oc- their to right communities' indigenous recognising law a passed Paraguay 1981, In lands. ancestral their of recognition for ing call- been decades for have Guaranís The government fails to acton promises

• 7 > news at work - - for recognition of theirancestrallands. for recognitionof demands their to or area, the in peoples indigenous of presence the to consideration any given point no at has state Paraguayan the that out points study The hectares. 1,100,000 almost an of area covering Parks National by occupied now are ancestral which lands, their of all virtually lost have Ñandeva Guarani The for drinkingandirrigation. lack the resources the communities need to survive, such as water that areas in located and size in insufficient is that land granted lands. Those who have managed to secure demarcation have been by theofficialsocialsecurity system. provided that of short far falls workers indigenous to offered er indemnities in the injuryevent or of traffic accident, etc. The cov- The AHM scheme does not provide retirement benefits, pensions, families shouldbecovered by social security. their and workers all that specifies which constitution, national the violates and discriminatory is scheme this researchers, the to According (AHM). Hospitalaria Mutual Ayuda called scheme insurance medical a Theybycovered citizens. are other as rights Indigenous workers in the Mennonite area do not enjoy the same socialsecurity discrimina tion Special Report. TheChaco Region, Paraguay

© David Browne especially their labourrights." rights, their of enforcement the and ment, involve- and consultation culture, their for respect education, health, to access lands, of restitution the as suchpeoples, digenous in- of needs the satisfying to priority gives still, however, no national indigenous policy is that "There concludes: researcher The cestral lands." singularity and their right to claim their an- their of recognition secure to and different be to continue to them allows that identity collective their for space a claim and serve pre- create, to religion, origins, their and land their their to history, their to turning "They are rights. their for not fighting up given have people Guarani the lands, of their destruction the and exploitation their of in spite that affirms Rehnfeldt Marilin exploitative conditions without any rest." under dayWe all rife. work are crimination dis- and violations rights "Human commented: worker Another protected." be will rights our that guarantee no is there tions, denounce we viola- if Here, them. to adhere institutions private nor public neither but Guaraní representative: "The laws are there, made by indigenouspeoples. Accordingto a demands the ignored have authorities The equal footing with non-indigenous workers". an on benefits and services social enjoy ers "indigenous work that ensure level,to local the on at inspections labour up stepgovernmentto called has and issues security cial so the to attention drawn also has ILO The throughout the whole year goto?" paid money the does where is know to want we what So covered. longer no are they and but then their work is suspended for a month month, a percent five pay they two or year a for employed are people when is ranches the on happens What month. a for working stop you when expires cover the but fund al anonymous:remain pay"You mutu- intothe According to a Ñandeva woman who asked to indigenouspolicyamust

• 8 > news at work - - ration of accessroutes. ration of affected. Some have been left isolated by the damage and deterio- the worst been have peoples indigenous The Chaco. Central in as wellas Argentina, with border the along and riverside the on living comayo River have affected the communities Pil- the of swelling the and rains heavy The families were left homeless across the region. reported that six people died and over 13,000 Secretariat 15 Emergency last National The the years. in floods worst the registered Paraguay of region Chaco the 2012, April In by AnaL Floods leave thousandshomeless. uz GiménezCosta, fromAsunció animals. and plants off killing floods the to addition where they usually hunt and gather fruit, in indigenous communities to reach theareas the for difficult more it made has Isolation Special Report. TheChaco Region, Paraguay volume of rain that fell in April volume of was equal to the the year, of time that around at swell to Although it is not unusual for the Pilcomayo

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the total rainfall generally recorded over a whole year. The Para- The extreme poverty in which the indige- guayan government declared a state of emergency in the Chaco nous people live means they are unable to region, to release aid resources. buy everyday items for cleaning and main- taining hygiene, not to mention clothing The Armed Forces have focused on urgent evacuation and rescue and shoes. Many walk barefoot and are ex- operations, on building shelters, providing medical and health posed to insect and snake bites. assistance, and delivering food- stuffs, mattresses, tents, coats and medical supplies. Another problem is the consumption of The United Nations Organisation contaminated water from natural sources offered 2,700,000 dollars in aid, without treating, boiling or disinfecting it. which according to the National Emergency Secretariat was spent The overflow of septic tanks and latrines is on food and sanitation. another source of contamination.

The floods affected the local inhabitants in different ways. The Men- nonite settlements coped better than the more vulnerable indig- Their precarious homes, some built of clay enous communities whose means of subsistence were severely and straw, others no more than tents, also affected by the disaster. makes them more vulnerable. Another problem is the consumption of contami- The unplanned roadways and dams built exclusively to serve pri- nated water from natural sources without vate interests in the area have considerably heightened the risk treating, boiling or disinfecting it. The over- factors for the affected populations. Many big landowners have flow of septic tanks and latrines is another built dykes on the Pilcomayo that have stopped the water from source of contamination. following its natural course and redistributing itself between riv- ers and streams. Paraguay's civil population was quick to respond to the disaster, organising events Isolation has made it more difficult for the indigenous communi- in different parts of the country to collect ties to reach the areas where they usually hunt and gather fruit, in anything that may prove useful to the fam- addition to the floods killing off plants and animals. Many have ilies affected. In August, four months after also lost their crops and sources of salaried employment outside the devastation, Paraguay's National Emer- the communities. gency Secretariat was still carrying out aid work to help the flood victims.

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