Interview with Gabriela Jaramillo on the Ecuador campaign

Gabriela Jaramillo, an Amnesty Bunche Fellow working on this issue for the Business & Human Rights Program and an Ecuadorian herself, answers questions here about the ChevronTexaco case and how the Corporate Action Network is getting involved.

Q: What do you think of the political climate in Ecuador right now?
A: People had a lot of hope in the 2002 elections, when Gutierrez, an ex-coup leader, in coalition with the Ecuadorian indigenous movement, was elected President of Ecuador. This coalition increased indigenous power more than ever before. The coalition lasted for a few months, and it’s my impression that the Gutierrez administration lost a lot of support from the people as it was perceived to have moved away from populist promises towards a better relationship with international organizations like the IMF and the World Bank.

Q: How does oil fit into Ecuador’s economy?
A: Oil is important, accounting for roughly 40% of Ecuador’s exports and about a third of the government’s national budget. The government seems to believe that continuously expanding oil extraction is the only way to develop the country’s economy. A lot of people are upset by that, especially the ones that live in the territories marked for oil exploration. But at the same time, people don’t know if there are any other options. They wonder: will eco-tourism ever be able to truly rival oil?

Q: What political power do indigenous communities have in Ecuador?
A: Indigenous communities have a fair amount of collective power. Since the 1980s, many indigenous communities have found a voice in the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), which has proven very successful in mobilizing around broad issues. Obviously, Gutierrez recognized that political power when he made the coalition with the movement, putting many indigenous leaders in power. But the indigenous population’s political weight does not seem to match the economic promises of multinational corporations that are backed by international investors.

Q: Aren’t communities in Ecuador adversely affected by several other oil companies? Why focus on ChevronTexaco?
A: Well, it’s the first case. ChevronTexaco was the first company to discover Ecuador’s oil exporting potential and, as a result, it was also the first one to sign a contract with the government to extract it. Essentially, ChevronTexaco set the protocol for how oil companies conduct business in Ecuador. It has become a crucial case in the oil industry— holding ChevronTexaco accountable will in turn set new corporate responsibility standards.

Q: How does your work at Amnesty fit into the larger campaign against ChevronTexaco?
A: There are many groups working on this case from various angles, which is great, because we need a multi-pronged strategy. Over the years, Amnesty has succeeded at building publicity and momentum, making us a credible player at the negotiating table. The Business & Human Rights Program is drawing on that strength. In countering corporate human rights abuses, the negotiating table is in the boardroom and at shareholder meetings. That’s why in November 2004, Amnesty filed a shareholder resolution along with Trillium Asset Management, a socially responsible investment firm. The resolution demands that ChevronTexaco prepare a report on new initiatives to address the specific health and environmental concerns of communities affected by oil-related contamination in the areas where it operated. In this way, we are demanding that Chevron- Texaco and its investors put Ecuador back on the agenda. ChevronTexaco believes it closed the door on this issue in 1998 when it signed an agreement with the Ecuadorian government, releasing it of further liabilities. But with reports noting significant and current human rights abuses from Texaco’s operations, we’re concerned that more needs to be done. Thus, the shareholder resolution tries to reopen that door. ChevronTexaco now has to face the fact that the problem is nowhere near over. They must talk about Ecuador with their shareholders and analyze how it is affecting or how it will affect the value of the company. It’s great that the Business & Human Rights Program is involved in that conversation and can simultaneously network with other shareholders, build momentum and coordinate actions to give the affected communities leverage in the boardroom.

Q: What advice do you have to CAN members who want to participate in this struggle?
A: CAN members are vital to this campaign. We need to increase awareness about what has happened in Ecuador’s Amazon. Do you remember the Exxon Valdez disaster? Public outcry and media attention gave Exxon no other option but to take that spill seriously. Well, the amount of oil Texaco spilled in the delicate Ecuadorian Amazon region is equivalent to 1.5 times the amount of oil spilled by the Exxon Valdez. If CAN members help raise consciousness about the gravity of this issue and participate in strengthening our shareholder activism, ChevronTexaco will have a force to reckon with.

Q: Can you suggest some resources for those who want to learn more?
A: The Business & Human Rights website, is a good place to start learning about the specifics of ChevronTexaco’s case. Also, “Extreme Oil” (produced by Paladin Invision and the BBC) is an objective documentary that features the problem in Ecuador and talks about the intricacies of the issue. We have copies of the documentary on hand which activists can use for an event in their community! We will also need energy and strength from our activists to inform ChevronTexaco shareholders about the situation and to garner support for our shareholder resolution. Of course the best and easiest way to get involved and keep up to date on the situation is through the Corporate Action Network, which will be launching a shareholder activism campaign in March! Contact us to learn more and get involved!

Interview by: Lauren Melodia, CAN Intern © Amazon Watch