volume IV

INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

CASE CONCERNING
AERIAL HERBICIDE SPRAYING

ECUADOR
V.
COLOMBIA

MEMORIAL OF ECUADOR

VOLUME IV

ANNEXES

28 APRIL 2009VOLUME IV

ANNEXES V OLUME IV

A NNEXES

T ABLE OF C ONTENTS

VERIFICATION AND OBSERVATION MISSION REPORTS

Annex 161 Accion Ecologica, Report on the Investigation of the
Fumigations’ Impacts on the Ecuadorian Border (June 2001)

Annex 162 Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador
(CONAIE), et al., Technical Report of the International

Commission on the Impacts in Ecuadorian Territory of Aerial
Fumigations in Colombia (19-22 July 2001)

Annex 163 Republic of Ecuador, Ministry of Environment, Joint Report from
the Workshop: Eradication of Illicit CropBogotá, Colombia
(13-15 Feb. 2002)

Annex 164 Jim Oldham & Rachel Massey, Health and Environmental Effects
of Herbicide Spray Campaigns in Colombia, The Institute for
Science & International Studies (18 Mar. 2002)

Annex 165 Association of American Jurists, et. Report on Verification
Mission: Impacts in Ecuador of Fumigations in Putumayo as
Part of Plan Colombia (Oct. 2002)

Annex 166 Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment, et al., Impacts in Ecuador
by the Fumigations Carried Out in the Putumayo Department

under Plan Colombia (July 2003)
Annex 167 National Congress of the Republic of Ecuador, Commission for

Health, Environment, and Ecological Protection, Congressman
Miguel López Moreno, Report of the Visit to Communities on the
Border Cordon of the Province of Sucumbíos (12-15 Dec. 2003)

Annex 168 Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA),
The Plan Colombia Aerial Eradication Program for Illicit crops
– An analysis of the 2003 Dept of State Certification to Congress

(25 Feb. 2004)
Annex 169 FIDH et al.,Observations of the International Mission in the

Ecuadorian Border with Colombia (20-22 June 2005)

iAnnex 170 Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense et al.,
Ecolex and AIDA Environmental Report on the Impacts of the
Fumigations under Plan Colombia (Nov. 2005)

Annex 171 Marcella Ceballos and Carlos Duarte, Report of the Observation
Mission on the Human Rights Situation in Lower Putumayo

(June 2008)

PRESS REPORTS AND PRESS RELEASES

Annex 172 Tim Johnson, “U.S. Seeks to Test Fungus That Kills Coca”, T
M IAMIHERALD (Miami, Florida, United States, 3 July 2000)

Annex 173 “Fumigation with Fungus Confirmed”, L A H ORA (Quito,
Ecuador, 23 Aug. 2000)

Annex 174 Antony Barnett & Solomon Hughes, “ICI Pulls Out of Cocaine
War”, THEO BSERVER (London, 1 July 2001)

Annex 175 “Colombia: Spraying Suspended”, BBC (26 June 2003)

Annex 176 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Press Release,
Memorandum of Understanding is signed for the study of the

effects of the fumigation of illicit crops (13 Feb. 2004)
Annex 177 “Parra Gil Demanded Colombia’s Compliance With Agreements

From Barco,” E UNIVERSO (Guayaquil, Ecaudor, 25 July 2005)

Annex 178 “Imperturbable, Barco Listened to Parra,” EMERCIO (Quito,
Ecuador, 26 July 2005)

Annex 179 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, Press Release No. 1121,
Ecuador Presents Protest Note to Colombia over the Resumption
of Fumigations (15 Dec. 2006)

Annex 180 “Agreement with Colombia does not exclude possible claims for
damages caused: Correa”, E OMERCIO (Quito, Ecuador, 11 Jan.

2007)

Annex 181 “Correa and Uribe reach an agreement”, ECOMERCIO (Quito,
Ecuador, 11 Jan. 2007)

Annex 182 “For Colombia, Ecuadorian Position on the Lawsuit in The
Hague is Absurd”, EL UNIVERSO (Guayaquil, Ecuador, 11 July
2007)

iiAnnex 183 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, Press Release No. 040,

Bilateral Progress in the Meeting Between the Foreign Ministers
of Ecuador and Colombia (19 Jan. 2007)

Annex 184 “Ecuador will remain an associated member State with
Mercosur”, ELC OMERCIO (Quito, Ecuador, 20 Jan. 2007)

Annex 185 U.N. Press Release, “U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Right to the
Highest Attainable Standard of Health, Paul Hunt, Ends Visit to
Ecuador” (18 May 2007)

Annex 186 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, Press Release No. 547,
Ecuador Expresses Surprise at Declarations of High-Ranking

Colombian Official (12 July 2007)

WITNESS DECLARATIONS

Annex 187 Declaration of María Blanca Chancosa Sánchez, 14 Jan. 2009

Annex 188 Declaration of Dino Juan Sánchez Quishpe, 15 Jan. 2009

Annex 189 Declaration of Witness 1, 16 Jan. 2009

Annex 190 Declaration of Witness 2, 16 Jan. 2009

Annex 191 Declaration of Witness 3, 17 Jan. 2009
Annex 192 Declaration of Witness 4, 22 Dec. 2008

Annex 193 Declaration of Witness 5, 16 Jan. 2009

Annex 194 Declaration of Witness 6, 16 Jan. 2009

Annex 195 Declaration of Witness 7, 16 Jan. 2009

Annex 196 Declaration of Witness 8, 16 Jan. 2009
Annex 197 Declaration of Witness 9, 16 Jan. 2009

Annex 198 Declaration of Witness 10, 16 Jan. 2009

Annex 199 Declaration of Witness 11, 16 Jan. 2009

Annex 200 Declaration of Witness 12, 16 Jan. 2009

Annex 201 Declaration of Witness 13, 15 Jan. 2009

Annex 202 Declaration of Witness 14, 17 Jan. 2009
Annex 203 Declaration of Witness 17, 16 Jan. 2009

Annex 204 Declaration of Witness 18, 15 Jan. 2009

iiiAnnex 205 Declaration of Witness 19, 17 Jan. 2009

Annex 206 Declaration of Witness 20, 16 Jan. 2009

Annex 207 Declaration of Witness 21, 16 Jan. 2009

Annex 208 Declaration of Witness 22, 16 Jan. 2009
Annex 209 Declaration of Witness 23, 16 Jan. 2009

Annex 210 Declaration of Witness 26, 17 Feb. 2009

Annex 211 Declaration of Witness 27, 17 Feb. 2009

Annex 212 Declaration of Witness 28, 17 Feb. 2009

Annex 213 Declaration of Witness 29, 16 Jan. 2009
Annex 214 Declaration of Witness 30, 19 Feb. 2009

Annex 215 Declaration of Witness 31, 27 Feb. 2009

Annex 216 Declaration of Witness 32, 19 Feb. 2009

Annex 217 Declaration of Witness 33, 19 Feb. 2009
Annex 218 Declaration of Witness 34, 19 Feb. 2009

Annex 219 Declaration of Witness 36, 19 Feb. 2009

Annex 220 Declaration of Witness 37, 19 Feb. 2009

Annex 221 Declaration of Witness 38, 19 Feb. 2009

Annex 222 Declaration of Witness 39, 19 Feb. 2009
Annex 223 Declaration of Witness 40, 20 Feb. 2009

Annex 224 Declaration of Witness 41, 20 Feb. 2009

Annex 225 Declaration of Colombia Witness 1, 20. Feb 2009

Annex 226 Declaration of Colombia Witness 2, 20. Feb 2009

Annex 227 Declaration of Colombia Witness 3, 20. Feb 2009
Annex 228 Declaration of Colombia Witness 4, 20. Feb 2009

Annex 229 Declaration of Colombia Witness 5, 20. Feb 2009

Annex 230 Declaration of Colombia Witness 6, 20. Feb 2009

Annex 231 Declaration of Colombia Witness 8, 4 Mar. 2009
Annex 232 Declaration of Colombia Witness 9, 5 Mar. 2009

Annex 233 Declaration of Colombia Witness 10, 5 Mar. 2009

iv OTHER

Annex 234 National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC)Data on

Running Water (2001)
Annex 235 National Government of the Republic of Ecuador, “Plan

Ecuador,” Section 3, Table 2 (citing INEC, ENEMDU 2005;
Census of Population and Housing 2001, ODNA)

Annex 236 World Wildlife Fund, “Letter from World Wildlife Fund
Regarding Herbicide Spraying in Colombia” (21 Nov. 2001)

Annex 237 Letter from Victor Mestanza to Roger Mera, Regional Chief
Sucumbíos-Orellana, Ministry of the Environment (14 Oct. 2002)

Annex 238 Colombian and Ecuadorian Ministries of Foreign Affairs,
Integration Zone for the Colombian-Ecuadorian Border:
Binational Characterization Study (Sep. 2003)

Annex 239 Consuelo Ahumado Beltrán and Alvaro Moreno Durán,
"Priorities of the New World Order and Forced Displacement of
Colombians towards Ecuador," Cadernos PROLAM/USP, Year 3,

Vol. 1 (2004)

Annex 240 Richard E. Bilsborrow and CEPAR, The Living Conditions of
Refugees, Asylum-seekers and other Colombians in Ecuador ,
Ecuador Country Report (Oct. 2006)

Annex 241 United States Department of State, International Narcotics
Control Strategy Report (2008)

Annex 242 United States Government Accountability Office, Plan
Colombia: Drug Reduction Goals Were Not Fully Met, but
Security Has Improved; U.S. Agencies Need More Detailed Plans

for Reducing Assistance (Oct. 2008)
Annex 243 World Resource Institute, “Biodiversity and Protected Areas –

Ecuador”
Annex 244 World Resource Institute, “Biodiversity and Protected Areas –

United Kingdom”

v SUPPLEMENTAL ANNEXES

Annex 245 Republic of Colombia, Ministry of the EnvironmentResolution
No. 1054 , Whereby an Environmental Management Plan is
Modified and Other Decisions are Made (30 Sep. 2003)

vi ANNEX 162

Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), et al.,

Technical Report of the International Commission on the Impacts in Ecuadorian
Territory of Aerial Fumigations in Colombia (19-22 July 2001) ANNEX 162

TECHNICAL REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION

ON THE IMPACTS IN ECUADORIAN TERRITORY OF AERIAL

FUMIGATIONS IN COLOMBIA

AND

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INDIGENOUS, CAMPESINO AND

SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS

19 – 22 July 2001ANNEX 162

RECOMMEDATIONS OF THE INDIGENOUS, CAMPESINO AND

SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS

Based on the Technical Report of the International Commission on the
Impacts in Ecuadorian Territory of Aerial Fumigations in Colombia, the
Indigenous, Campesino and Social Organizations present the following

recommendations to the National Government:

1. That the National Government comply with the agreements established

as part of the Dialogue Working Group, in particular, the request that the
Colombian Government immediately suspend aerial fumigations in the
border area, and proceed with the related compensations.

2. To accept the Report prepared by the International Technical
Commission and provide immediate resolution to the conclusions
arrived at in the report; the fulfillment of which shall be monitored by
the Indigenous, Campesino and Social Organizations.

3. To apply the CONSTITUTIONAL PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE to
its international policy, in order to preserve the human rights of the
Indigenous Nationalities and Peoples and of the populations in the

border areas, the environment and human health.

This principle is enshrined in the Political Constitution of the
Ecuadorian State: “The State shall take the necessary preventive

measures, in case of doubt, regarding the impact or negative
environmental consequences of an action or omission, even if there is no
scientific evidence of harm” (Art. 91).

4. That the Ecuadorian State proceed to compensate the affected
populations in order to guarantee their survival and food security and
repair environmental damages caused by the sprayings.

5. All new research efforts should be directed towards the mitigation of
impacts, the recovery of the affected areas and the recovery of the local
populations’ capacity for sustainability.

6. To urge the media and public officials to act with transparency in the
dissemination of information, and request that they refrain from painting ANNEX 162

glyphosate as safe or innocuous, as there is sufficient scientific literature

to demonstrate the danger and toxicity of this product.

The Code of Conduct of the FAO on the Distribution and Use of
Pesticides recommends in Article 11, regarding publicity, the avoidance

words that inspire confidence in toxics. Officials who assert that the use
of glyphosate is less harmful than salt, nicotine or vitamin A should be
reprimanded, as the sprayings being carried out with Roundup Ultra
contain substances that when mixed become more toxic; and, because

the sprayings are conducted at a percentage that is 26 times higher than
that permitted for agricultural uses by the EPA (United States
Environmental Protection Agency).

[PAGE 3]

Similarly, national laws also prohibit deceptive publicity, “all forms of
deceptive publicity or abusive publicity that lead to errors in the

selection of a good or service which may affect the interests and rights
of the consumer are forbidden” (Article 6, Organic Law for the Defense
of the Consumer)

7. Moreover, we urge the media and public officials to refrain from
discrediting the affected population, by arguing that they seek to take
advantage of their complaints. The Indigenous Peoples and Campesino

Communities that live in the border areas are innocent victims of this
unjustified regionalization of the Colombian armed conflict.

8. To create a surveillance committee or monitoring system, with the

participation of public institutions, social organizations and local
governments, to monitor the border areas and be alert to actions being
carried out in the neighboring country that may affect the environment
and the quality of life of the Ecuadorians.

[PAGE 4]ANNEX 162

1.- MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION...........................................6

2.- BACKGROUND ..............................................................................9

3.- OBJECTIVES ................................................................................12

4.- METHODOLOGY.........................................................................12

5.- RESULTS: INFORMATION RECEIVED AND FIELD STUDIES
...............................................................................................................13

5.1.- VISIT TO SUCUMBÍOS (19 AND 20 JULY)..........................13
5.1.1.- TESTIMONIES OF THE ORGANIZATIONS......................13
5.1.2. TESTIMONIES OF THE SAN FRANCISCO 2 COMMUNITY16

5.1.3. MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS...............................................19
5.1.4. INSPECTION OF CROPS AND ANIMALS..........................20
5.2. VISIT TO ESMERALDAS (J ULY 20 AND 21) .........................23
5.2.1. TESTIMONIES OF THE ORGANIZATIONS .......................23

5.2.2. TESTIMONIES OF THE MATAJE COMMUNITY ..............23
5.2.3. INTERVIEW WITH HOSPITAL STAFF...............................25

6.- ANALYSIS......................................................................................26

6.1..............................SECURITYE BORDER POPULATION 26

6.2............................................EPIDEMIOLOGICALING 27
6.3.....................................HEALTHN ON THE BORDER 27
6.4............................ SITUATIONBSISTENCE ECONOMIES 29
6.5..........................SITUATIONNDIGENOUS POPULATIONS 31

7.- CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................31

7.1. BORDER AND POPULATION INSECURITY........................31

7.2. LACK OF EPIDEMIOLOGICAL MONITORING....................31
7.3. HEALTH EMERGENCY ...........................................................32
7.4. THREAT OF FAMINE...............................................................32
7.5. CROSS-BORDER CONTAMINATION....................................32

7.6. URGENT NEED FOR PREVENTION.......................................33 ANNEX 162

7.7. VIOLATIONS OF COLLECTIVE INDIGENOUS RIGHTS.....33

7.8.DAMAGES AND THE RIGHT TO THE COMPENSATION AND
REPARATION ..................................................................................33

APPENDIX I: Report for FOKISE to the CONAIE

APPENDIX II: Complaint made by the San Francisco 2 Indigenous
Association
APPENDIX III: Letter from the National Health Director to the Ecuadorian
Red CrossANNEX 162

[PAGE 5]

TECHNICAL REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION
ON THE IMPACTS IN ECUADORIAN TERRITORY OF AERIAL
FUMIGATIONS IN COLOMBIA

19 – 22 July 2001

1.- Members of the Commission

The Commission was presided by:
1
Blanca Chancoso. Leader of the CONAIE

And, comprised of :
2
Elsa Nivia. Agricultural Engineer, Rapal Colombia
David Reyes. Agricultural Engineer, Rapal Ecuador

Elizabeth Bravo. Doctor of Biology, Third World Ecological Studies
Institute
Adolfo Maldonado. Doctor, specialist in Tropical Medicine, Acción

Ecológica

The Commission was accompanied by:

Rainer Stöckelmann, Communication Team of the CONAIE
Lucía Gallardo. Commission Coordinator, Acción Ecológica

This Commission met, in the provinces of Sucumbíos and Esmeraldas, with
different social organizations and civilian authorities, which in some cases

accompanied the Commission in their visits to the communities under study.
One hundred and eleven people participated in the information-gathering
process:

19 July 2001 (3:00 p.m.) Lago Agrio

3
Meeting at FOKISE , with:

Orlando Grefa President Yolanda Grefa Women’s Leader

1CONAIE: Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador
2RAPAL: Action Network for Alternatives to Pesticides in Latin America
3FOKISE: Federation of Kichwa Organizations of Sucumbíos, Ecuador ANNEX 162

Anselmo Salazar Vice President Jorge Coordinator of
Valverde Indigenous
Nationalities,

Provincial Council
Italo Cerda Community
Development
Leader

19 July 2001 (5:00 p.m.)
Meeting in the municipality of Lago Agrio

29 people were present at the meeting:

Carmen Granda IMLA 4 Armando Cerda FOKISE

(Municipality)
Wilman IMCLeFdaCésEr
Benalcazar

[PAGE 6]

Hernán IMLA Agrioilnrdlo
Benalcazar Center
5
Jorge Valverde HCPB SAlEaigralrtural
Center
Kristina Hanson National Swedish José Félix Aldaz Federation of

Radio Farmers’
Association
Elizabeth Swedish Jorge Salas Campesinos’

Lundgren Technical Association,
Cooperation Solidarity
Committee

Ove Öst Swedish Abelardo Ruiz Agricultural
Technical Center
Cooperation
Richard Rojas FEPP Lago Máximo García Model

Agrio Committee
Pablo Rivera Narcisa Hurtado Codesa
Esmeradas

Carlos Guerrero Honorio Yunga Lago Agrio
Human Rights

4IMLA: Illustrious Municipality of Lago Agrio
5HCPS: Honorable Council of the Province of Sucumbíos
6FEPP: Ecuadorian Fund for the Progress of the PeopleANNEX 162

Committee
7
Pepe Castillo ASCIS JosLuís Las Propicias
Guevara (Esm)
Padre Vinicio ISAMIS Margarita La Propicia 1

Castillo
Gilberto Grefa FOKISE Alexandra Acción Ecológica
Almeida

Anselmo Salazar FOKISE Patricia Granda Acción Ecológica
Eddy García ASCIS

20 July 2001 (7:00 a.m.)

San Francisco 2 Indigenous Association (Sucumbíos)
There are 21 families in this community. According to census data, the

population consists of 46 adults; children were not included in the census,
however there are 21 children in school.

22 adults and 17 children were present at the meeting held in the school.

20 July 2001 (7:00 p.m.)

Esmeraldas, meeting in the auditorium of the Provincial Governor’s Office.
Participants:

Adolfo Chachi Community, Charito Women’s Forum

Chapiro Teacher Rivera (Ptra.)
Pablo de La Chachi Community Lourdes Women’s Forum
Cruz Villota (Ptra.)

Fredy President, Southeast Celeste Women’s Forum
Cevallos Network Cagua (Ptra.)
Narcisa President, Northeast Ketty Flores Women’s Forum

Estupiñan Network (Ptra.)
Daisy President, Northeast Victoria Women’s Forum
Monroy Network Caicedo (Ptra.)

Leonardo Representative, East Raúl INNFA Representative
Quintero Central Network Méndez
Antonio Tte. Político P. Patricio
Hers Taviazo García

Humberto Representative, Eduardo
Reyes Southwest Network Quiñonez

7ASCIS: Association of the Civil Society of Sucumbíos
8ISAMIS: Church of San Miguel de Sucumbíos ANNEX 162

Piedad Ortiz Women’s Forum Tomas Provincial Council
(C.S.) Palomino Representative

Ruby Women’s Forum Antoñeta Women’s Forum,
Montaño (Ptra.) Viera Project Coordination

21 July 2001 (1:00 p.m.)

[PAGE 7]

Mataje Community, Esmeraldas. A meeting was held with 16 people from

the community. Many did not attend as they were told that the Commission
was to arrive by helicopter, thus they waited in the morning.

July 21, 2001 (5:30 p.m.)

Divine Providence State-Missionary Hospital, with a capacity of 68 beds
and with 3 staff doctors and 6 rural doctors on call and for house-calls.
Meeting held with Dr. Dueñas, epidemiologist and the Hospital

Coordinator, and Dr. Merino, the Hospital Director.

2.- BACKGROUND

After the indigenous uprising of 21 January of this year, the National
Government and the Indigenous, Campesino and Social Organizations
signed an Agreement on 23 issues of national interest on 7 February,

whereby the National Government acknowledged the “existence of
historically unresolved conflicts in the relationship between the State and
Indigenous Peoples”. Moreover, this included, demands such as “ to not
accept the regionalization of Plan Colombia nor to involve the country

in a foreign conflict” (point 16 of the Agreement) and, with respect to the
“Ecuadorian Government’s claim for compensation from the
Governments of the United States and Colombia for all the damage
caused to the society, economy and to the Ecuadorian environment by

the Plan Colombia”, these shall be addressed by the “Working group”
(Appendix I).

In compliance with this Agreement, the National Government and the

Indigenous, Campesino and Social Organizations held eight working
meetings, between 10 April and 28 June; an audit of the agreements on 4
July.ANNEX 162

Eleven partial agreements were approved by the Parties at these meetings,
one of which states that “ a technical and scientific investigation shall be

conducted by a Bipartite Commission of the National Government and
Indigenous Organizations, made up of delegates from national and
international institutions involved in human health and environmental
protection issues, to determine potentially harmful effects in

Ecuadorian territory of the sprayings in southern Colombia and to
recommend, where necessary, appropriate actions and measures”.

This agreement further establishes that the “Commission will begin its work

in mid-July, for which the Government shall provide the necessary services”
(Appendix II).

The concerns expressed by the Indigenous, Campesino and Social

Organizations at the Dialogue Table on Plan Colombia were as follows:

a) The regionalization of the Colombian social and armed conflict;
b) The reiterated interests of transnational companies in appropriating the

territories and resources of the Amazon Region for their indiscriminate
exploitation;
c) The U.S. oil and arms industries’ support for the implementation of Plan
Colombia;

[PAGE 8]

d) The gradual militarization of border areas that include operations with

national and foreign military forces, as well as the repeated harassment
and pestering by these forces, which violate the collective rights of the
Indigenous Nationalities and Peoples;
e) The intensification of the humanitarian and human rights crisis in
Colombia and its overflow into border countries, especially Ecuador;

f) The ongoing insecurity and intimidation in the areas bordering
Colombia, because of the armed groups, which have caused forced
displacement of several indigenous communities of the Shuar, Kichwa
and Cofán peoples, and threatens their daily life, their traditions, and

their customs;
g) The impact and consequences on the local economy, on human and
animal health, and on the crops and subsistence plantations of border
populations, close to the areas which the Colombian Government is

fumigating by air with chemical agents;
h) The involvement of our country in the Colombian armed and social
conflict through the leasing of the “Eloy Alfaro” Air Force Base
installations, in the city of Manta, to U.S. military forces. ANNEX 162

However, what is not under discussion is that, as part of the eradication

strategy of the crop areas classified as “illicit” under the Plan Colombia,
chemical substances that are highly toxic to human health and the
environment are being used, and its execution has affected Ecuadorian
territory. The concern over the chemical formulation used in the programs

of illicit crop eradication and the effects on the environment and human
health have raised concern in the U.S. Senate itself, through the
Appropriations Committee. Even the United Nations has expressed its
concern over the potential effects of fumigations on the environment and

human health.

In Ecuador, the situation that border populations are going through is no less
disturbing. Several reports, from different sources, coincide in expressing

their concern over the effects seen on human health and the environment,
which are evident by the loss and destruction of several food crops. In view
of this concern, the Bilateral Commission decided to visit the border
provinces to determine the impacts on the area and the population.

LIMITATIONS

The National Government’s weak political will to facilitate the work of the
Bipartite Commission was clearly evident:

- By the absence of several government delegates in previous meetings to

organize the Commission’s work.
- By failing to provide support in meeting the information needs related to
issues relevant to the topic under investigation.
- By the absence of logistical services
-.

In fact, given the lack of seriousness on the part of the National Government
in relation to the agreements reached on Plan Colombia at the Working
Group, presided over by Ambassador Alejandro Suárez as the representative
of the National Government, the Commission was not able to count on the

participation of international organizations considered to be experts on the
issue such as the Sunshine Project – United States, Global Exchange –

[PAGE 9]

United States, Andean Action (Acción Andina) – Colombia, who, after
agreeing to participate in the Commission, were not able to adjust theirANNEX 162

personal schedules in conformity with the National Government’s constant

indications of non-compliance with the schedule previously agreed to.

Proof of this is the agreement made on 11 May, and ratified on the 17 thof
that same month, for an inspection commission to begin work in mid-June,

which was later postponed to July 16. However, at the request of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this activity was postponed for two more days,
as was the date initially intended for the arrival of the foreign participants.
Despite this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent, at the last moment, on

Wednesday afternoon, 18 July, a note requesting the postponement, once
again, of the date for the initiation of the activities of the Bipartite
Commission, without setting a definite date and arguing a lack of logistical
facilities. This clearly had an adverse effect on the participation of the

international representatives.

In view of this situation, the Indigenous, Campesino and Social
Organizations decided to continue with the work and formed a Technical

Commission with national experts and with the participation of Elsa Nivia, a
Colombian expert.

3.- OBJECTIVES

a) To conduct an investigation in the border areas (Esmeraldas, Carchi y

Sucumbíos) and identify the impact on the Ecuadorian population of the
sprayings carried out by Colombia under the Plan Colombia.
b) To collect testimonies of the people, regarding their illnesses at the time
of the spraying, and the current situation.

c) To document the impact of the sprayings on the population’s health,
their crops and livestock, with evidence that will support and promote
the adoption of local, national and international measures to resolve the
current impacts and to avoid new situations that threaten the Ecuadorian

population.
d) To collect proposals and complaints made by civil society organizations
and local governments with regard to the sprayings.
e) To open participation channels for the local population through the

creation of a monitoring and surveillance network of potential impacts
of the sprayings in each one of the 3 border provinces.

4.- METHODOLOGY ANNEX 162

The Commission initially planned a visit to the three provinces in the
northern border: Sucumbíos, Esmeraldas and Carchi.

In the province of Sucumbíos three communities, two made up of settlers
and one composed of Kichwa people (San Francisco 1, San Francisco 2 and
Nuevo Mundo) were scheduled to be visited. Due to limitations previously

mentioned only San Francisco 1 and 2 were visited, and later with the
purpose of gathering written information, we visited the General Farfán
Community.

In Esmeraldas, a visit was made to the Mataje zone, an area mainly
populated by people of African descent. ]

[PAGE 10]

The visit to Carchi was cancelled, since it was impossible to reach the San
Marcos Community without a helicopter. This visit was postponed for
another time.

In the provinces visited, Sucumbíos and Esmeraldas, meetings were held
with local authorities, institutions and social organizations before the on-site
visits, with the purpose of incorporating them into the on-site visits and to

hearing their views, information and proposals on the sprayings and their
impacts.

The work with the communities was divided into two working groups: 1.

The first’s aim was to identify the impact of the sprayings through
interviews with and medical examinations of the affected people. 2. The
other group was formed to identify, based on observation and interviews,
the impacts on the agricultural systems and livestock.

Considering the invisibility to which the population of the area is subjected,
the Commission though it was important that the findings of this report
contain the testimonies of the local people.

5.- RESULTS: INFORMATION RECEIVED AND FIELD STUDIES

5.1.- VISIT TO SUCUMBÍOS (19 AND 20 JULY)

5.1.1.- TESTIMONIES OF THE ORGANIZATIONSANNEX 162

The leaders of FOKISE demonstrated suffering from the acts stemming

from the Plan Colombia (sprayings and violence), as well as from the
extractive activities of oil companies:

“We have been affected with sicknesses and many of those who fled are
now being threatened and persecuted. The State should prohibit the
territory they were forced to abandon to be occupied by settlers, or
declare it a reservation.”

“There are numerous affected Kichwa people along the San Miguel
River and the crops are affected by the sprayings. The planes crossed

the border and we have respiratory, eye and skin problems,…”
(Orlando Grefa, President)

We asked if they had information that could substantiate these assertions

and they said:

“We do not have written information, because we have not entered that
area since October or November of last year. For security reasons, the

FOKISE medical brigade has not gone into the area” (Jorge Valverde,
Coordinator)

They indicated that they had received oral reports of problems stemming
from the fumigations from Tetetes to further upstream of the San Miguel
River, and that they had recorded video on the problems caused by the
sprayings in the San Francisco 2 Community, which they gave us. It

contains testimonies of campesinos and indigenous people describing the
problems that the sprayings have caused to the population, crops, the
economy, children’s education and the culture.

They expressed concern about the way in which the Interministerial
Commission, which visited Lago Agrio on July 5 and 6, had interpreted

[PAGE 11]

their words, which is why they sent an explanatory report to CONAIE (see
appendix). Dr. Vinicio Mancheno 9 emphasized in a subsequent

conversation, while collecting the report, that they had found no problems in
the population within the strip from Yanamaru to Riera, on the San Miguel
River, an area which does not border Colombia and is 10 hours by canoe

9 Dr: Vinicio Mancheno: Health Director of FOKISE ANNEX 162

(around 50 km) from the most heavily fumigated area of Valle de Guamués

and San Miguel.

The campesino population, present at the meeting held on 19 July in the

Municipality, stated:

“School children, in the communities close to the border, are having
problems. Before they used to play and now they have headaches and

diarrhea. In the 10 de Agosto Community, where there used to be more
than 500 people, there are now less than 200 because there is no credit,
financing, nor assistance for production in the countryside. The

sprayings have destroyed our crops. The situation is disturbing because
there are no sources of employment to earn money. We are
contaminated and without income”. (Edgar Balcazar, Cooperative 10 de
Agosto)

“This year, it has been impossible to recover the loans to the
campesinos. A study of samples was conducted to locate the problem,
and find alternatives, but we are still waiting for the results”. (Richard

Rojas, FEPP-Nueva Loja)

“We have tried to coordinate and bring the communities together, but

this has not been possible with the institutions”. (Rosendo Castillo,
President of the Sucumbíos Agricultural Center)

“If you do not give us information, you will not receive any payment or

any compensation. This is what the group of agricultural engineers
from Sucumbíos told us. However, the professional gentlemen,
veterinarians, agronomists, the doctor from MAG 10(I publicly

denounce it) said that we campesinos are liars, that we are only after
money. Here we have evidence – he says showing a sick yucca. This is
a product that we have. Six, eight months ago, we did not have this
type of disease. We had a healthy product, we had a good harvest.

From the 23 quintals per hectare we used to be able to harvest of rice,
we now harvest two, three quintals of rice. (…) 17 of my animals died
in less than 30 days, and the gentleman from MAG says that we are
liars, that they have to verify it. I told him that if he wants to, I can

take him to see the skeletons of the animals that have died (…) You can
ask any teacher from any school about what I am telling you: the
children used to skip around, jump for joy, six, eight months ago. Now,

they fall asleep at their desks, and they need the bathroom every other

10MAG: Ministry of Agriculture and LivestockANNEX 162

minute. (…) We are coming here to Lago Agrio, Coca, Puerto El
Carmen because there is nothing for us to do in the country. We need

credit; we need financing, training to improve our production. If we
leave the country for the city, what is there for us? I think that in less
than a year, here in Sucumbíos, we are not going to have anything to
eat, because the situation is alarming. The President has been playing

deaf because supposedly he formed his delegation to come here and
verify; we are willing to show, and tell the Ecuadorian people and the
world in general that we are contaminated, that we are sick, that we do
not have a source of income to support our families. We will slowly die

like the wild animals”. (Edgar Balcazar, Cooperative 10 de Agosto)

“Those of us who live on the border have never had any problems until
now, when they started the sprayings and implementation of Plan

Colombia”. (Jorge Salas, Cooperative Chone 1)

[PAGE 12]

“We have sent samples of plants to investigate the possibility of diseases
due to fungi and other pests, that is, at the phytopathological level. In
the case of the soil, to see the fertility and, in the case of the water, to see
the physico-chemical composition . That is what we are trying to do.

We do not want to look for glyphosate because we know that it is,
obviously, very difficult to look for that in laboratory tests. But it is
also important to determine the phytotoxicity”. (Eddy García, ASCIS)

5.1.2. TESTIMONIES OF THE SAN FRANCISCO 2 COMMUNITY

The community is located at 2000 meters from where the sprayings took
place in Colombia. Several planes sprayed 4 – 5 times for 8 days. They

returned 15 days later and sprayed again. Although only some of those
present commented that the sprayings could be felt from September to
March, they all agreed that they were visible since the beginning of January.

“We have lived years in which happiness and peace reigned and not
illnesses as now. No one had problems with health, the animals or the
plants. Through our Shamans, we already knew that this was a sacred
place and that the plants are also sacred. But now those plants are

contaminated and they are turning against us. Now, we die as strangers
in our own land. This was our Eden and now we are suffering a
tremendous punishment. We want the Government to meet with us
and talk to us, but they do not want to because they are embarrassed. ANNEX 162

People are dying here and the doctors do not tell us what we have, they
cannot give us a definite diagnosis, they say it is dengue, malaria,

yellow fever, tuberculosis, I really do not know, but no one can give us
the results”. (Olmedo Avilés, Vice President of the Association)

Although they say they drink water from wells, they bathe in the river.

They commented that at that time there was a lot of wind and that it
“smelled horrible and their eyes and noses were stinging”. From the very
beginning everyone had red, burning and teary eyes, and discomfort when
seeing.

“We believe that this is because of the sprayings because before there
was no illness and we lived free, healthy. Now, because of the
sprayings, the symptoms of fever have begun”. (Member of the

Community)

They recounted that the first ones to get sick were the children, with
digestive symptoms of diarrhea and intense vomiting with abdominal

inflammation. Later, the adults exhibited these symptoms.

“In some houses the children get sick and in others the whole family
gets sick; adults and children, with the same symptoms. The adults

with more fever, body aches and headaches”. (Member of the
Community)

Subsequently, they had respiratory problems, with an intense dry cough, but

that was accompanied by difficulty in breathing and that made many
children faint. These symptoms, together with the fever, caused 21 children
to stop attending school and, at the present time, according to the teacher,
they suffer from anemia and cannot perform well. Because of these
problems, the school closed a month ahead of time and, the same thing

happened in the San Francisco 1 Association.

They also spoke of the appearance of blisters on the skin, from which they
suffered for a long time.

[PAGE 13]

They mentioned that one week before the visit, the Ecuadorian Red Cross

cane to provide medical attention. They gave them some treatment, but told
them that they needed to receive a more permanent attention, because
otherwise they would only have access to painkillers. According to them
this was the only health institution that has visited the area.ANNEX 162

The death of four children was reported during the period of heaviest

sprayings: one from El Cóndor Community and three from the Reina del
Cisne Community, including a 1-year-old. They stated that in the past two
years, no child under the age of three had died, which can be proven since
the cemetery for the neighboring communities is located in San Francisco 2;

however, in the period from 2-10 January 2001, these four children died.
The mother of the deceased girl, Ethel Calapucha, said that her daughter had
a fever, vomiting and diarrhea and she died in less than two days. She
received medical attention at the San Francisco Health Centre of Lago Agrio

but they did not identify the cause. She was sent home, where she died.
Those who saw the body said it turned purple, not pale, and the same thing
happened with the other deceased children.

The following information was obtained from the seven families present at
the meeting:

Of the 45 people that make up these seven families, all of them said that

they became at the time of the sprayings, with the symptoms previously
described: eye problems, breathing, digestive and skin problems. From this
group of 45 people, 5 sought medical attention (11.1%), while the rest
treated themselves with herbal remedies.

Of this group, the death of the girl from the Reina del Cisne Community
stands out. Her identity has been protected according to the provisions in
the Minors Code. The birth of two children with deformities was also

reported: a three-month old baby girl with major neurological lesions and
loss of reflexes, who needs to be evaluated; and a month-old baby boy with
“malformation” of the legs, who was not present at the time of the visit as
he was taken to the Lago Agrio Hospital. Two weeks later, when members
of the Commission went to pick up the letter of complaint written by the

community (see appendix), they were told that on July 30 another boy aged
1 month and 25 days had died (the fifth death). Mrs. Rosario Tanguila from
the community is 8 months pregnant and, like the other two mothers, she
was subjected to the sprayings. Attention should be paid to the birth of this

baby and its evaluation.

The population said the shamans had to leave the community because their
healing plants have been contaminated and they can no longer use them to

cure people. The cultural impact of the fumigations on this community has
been enormous. ANNEX 162

Two weeks after the visit, as the written information was being gathered, the
11
leader of FEINCE , Toribio Aguinda, confirmed that his people, the
Cofán, have suffered the impacts of the sprayings in San Antonio, Guamués
River, Santa Rosa de Sucumbíos and Yarinal on the San Miguel River. The

Yarinal Community, in Colombian territory, has disappeared. Five
families moved to Lago Agrio and 10 to Chandia Na´en, when three
children died after the sprayings, a six-year-old and two nine-year-olds, and
unknown diseases emerged with “an intense cough and pimples all over

the skin, including in the mouth”.

[PAGE 14]

5.1.3. MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS

During the visit to this community (San Francisco 2), in addition to the

interviews, a medical examination of the children’s health was conducted.
After examining 17 of them, between the ages of 3 months and six years
old, the following suspected diagnoses were made:

SUSPECTED DIAGNOSIS No. of CASES
Parasitosis 14
Anemia 8

Common cold 6
Piodermitis 5
Conjuntivitis 4

Psychomotor deficiency 2
Hepatomegaly 2
Neurological disorders 1

Gastroenteritis 1
Fungus 1
Vaginal bleeding 1

It was confirmed that all the children were sick with an average of 3.1
diseases per person, a mode of 1 and a range of 1-6 diseases per child.

Analyzing the reports of the ten leading causes of illness in the General
Farfán Health Subcentre, whose jurisdiction includes San Francisco 2, it
was discovered that the three leading causes of illnesses in the population

continued to be respiratory infections, which increased by 42% (from 206 to
293 cases) from January to June 2001, in comparison to the same period of
the previous year; skin infections, which increased by 48% compared to

11FEINCE: Federation of the Cofán Indigenous Nationality of EcuadorANNEX 162

2000 (from 147 to 218), and malaria, which increased by 33% (from 111 to
148).

The doctor at the Subcentre indicated that the impact of the fumigations was
significantly more noticeable in January, when, suddenly, people began
inhaling the chemical. There were numerous cases of rhinitis and eye

irritation, which were not recorded.

A sub-official from the “Lieutenant Molina Outpost” in the General Farfán
Municipality, who requested to remain anonymous, said that “ the whole

detachment got sick with headaches when the sprayings took place”

5.1.4. INSPECTION OF CROPS AND ANIMALS

The following are characteristics of the borders areas that we visited:

CLIMATOLOGY

- Temperature: Annual average temperature of the province is 26°C, with
a minimum temperature of 18°C and a maximum of 35°C.

[PAGE 15]

- Precipitation: Annual average precipitation is 3,729mm. Minimum
precipitation is 2,000mm and maximum precipitation is 6,000mm
annually. The month with the highest level of precipitation is April with

938mm and the one with the lowest is August with 232mm.
- Relative humidity is between 80 to 90%.
- Heliophany: yearly average of 2.5 – 3 hours of sun per day.

SOILS AND POTENTIAL USE
The soils in the area are Dystropepts (red). Typic Distrandepts (brownish-
gray). Hidrandepts and Tropaquepts.

The National Regionalization Program (PRONAREG in Spanish)
recommends comprehensive agro-silvo-pastoral management or controlled
forest use, protection, wildlife and ecological reserves, vertically stratified

crops, and crop rotation for the region ANNEX 162

PHYSIOGRAPHY

According to the Morpho-Edaphological Map, the part of the province of
Sucumbíos adjacent to Colombia shows, for the most part, a physiography
with variable slopes of less than 50% of rounded hills.

The community reported that the rain in this zone has been regular, as it is
every year, and that the sprayings on the Colombian side of the border,
conducted at unexpected hours and at an altitude that is not adjusted to the
topography of the terrain, the humid rainforest vegetation and the danger of

artillery, are the cause of the crop diseases. Spray drifts cause the chemical
used in the fumigations to be felt in Ecuadorian territory, producing the
following effects:

ANIMALS
x With regard to the animals, the campesinos have made reference to the

numerous losses they have had: in fowl, cows having miscarriages at the
time of the sprayings, the deaths of pigs, dogs, cats, etc.
x It is worth noting that some people are said to have found numerous
dead rainforest animals, on the mountain near where the fumigations

were carried out, not being eaten by other animals, simply decomposing
there. They continue to find them.

AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST PRODUCTS
100% of those present stated that starting in January and throughout this

year, they have had problems with the following crops: coffee, rice, banana
or plantain, yucca, citrus and pasture grass. They also stated that the leaves
of the plants are starting to lose their green color (decoloration) and turning
yellowish (chlorosis); and, the plants are either dying or no longer
producing.

The campesinos of the area say that the aguabilla or red guaba (a forest
tree) did not bloom nor bear fruit this year; and since it is the main food
source of the guanta, guatuso and other animals on the mountain, there

exists great concern.

A field study conducted by four community members and four agronomists
from FEPP and ISAMIS to verify the affirmations made during the

assembly, observed the following:ANNEX 162

[PAGE 16]

COFFEE: the crops exhibit an alteration of the green color of their leaves,
with a yellowing of the central vein; followed by total chlorosis (yellowing)
and the presence of brown spots both at the tip of the leaves and their edge;
and the withering of the entire plant. They said that the flowers fall off and

the fruit undergoes necrosis, and there is no seed production. The onset of
decay can be seen at the base of the stem. This crop was three years old. It
has become vulnerable to foliage, stem and root diseases.

YUCCA: yellowing was observed in the leaves and in the root or edible
part. When cut cross-sectionally, one can see a dark brownish-grey halo
near the bark, which appears to be healthy. These roots have a spongy
texture or “balzosa”, as the indigenous people call it, and a bland taste,

making it useless as food or for preparing chicha.

PLANTAIN: withering was observed in the bottom leaves of the mother
plant and in the stems of the shoots. The campesinos said that the growth of

the plant has ceased. When cut cross-sectionally, necrosis was observed in
the xylem or conducting tissue, which prevents the transport of sap. As the
cut was made closer to the root, the necrosis was more evident. Likewise,
people are starting to cut down the plants.

RICE: there is a yellowing that has markedly reduced the harvest. A three-
month-old plot was inspected. At the mere sight of it, one could detect a
discoloration of the entire plant and the onset of diseases. The size was less

than normal, and the owner of the plot said that he would no longer work on
the crop because it would not produce anything.

PASTURE GRASS: it was observed that there is discoloration or yellowing
that starts at the tips and edges of the leaves, and subsequently the entire

plant dries and dies.

OTHERS
With regard to water, they said that when they boiled this liquid, a brown

rust-like stain appeared at the bottom of the recipients (pots).

As to the air, they commented that, after the spray planes flew over the area,
the sky was filled with a grey cloud, which caused burning of the eyes, dry

lips and an itchy nose. ANNEX 162

5.2. VISIT TO ESMERALDAS (July 20 and 21)

5.2.1. TESTIMONIES OF THE ORGANIZATIONS

While the visit to Mataje was being planned for the following day, some of
the participants in the meeting at the Provincial Governor’s office expressed

the following:

“I have been using this herbicide on the banana for more than 9 years
and I have seen how the workers suffer from severe skin problems”.

(Patricio García)

“In Mataje there have been serious skin problems and even heart
problems due to the fumigations; it is in the same in Hoja de Plátano…

but where can we go to protest? To the authorities? NGOs?...We can
only put up with it.” (Participant)

[PAGE 17]

5.2.2. TESTIMONIES OF THE MATAJE COMMUNITY

“When they started spraying in Colombia, we had an epidemic of skin
bumps and red eyes here. They took samples of the water, but they
never returned to give us the results. We are worried because
yesterday and this morning spray planes appeared, flying over this area

(over Ecuadorian territory)”. (Johny Segura, Vice President of the
Community)

“We never had an epidemic like the one we had in October of 2000. I
am from here and we have never seen anything similar. Only malaria,

but this time the children’s eyes became swollen; they had stomach
aches and headaches, and the school was ending them home because of
diarrhea. It lasted 8 days, and they told us that it could be due to the
palm plantations or the fumigations, but we never found out; tests were

done, but we did not get the results” (Beatriz Arroyo, first leader of the
municipality)

“At the end of September and beginning of October, over 8 days, 16

children and 12 adults became ill. They had vomiting, diarrhea, skin
rash (the skin would turn red, with bumps and rashes), headaches,
irritation of the eyes and high fever. Then the adults started getting
sick. I had to give them antibiotics because the diarrhea andANNEX 162

respiratory infections were severe. What bothered me was that
although the press arrived after we filed complaints no one at the

Ministry of Public Health sympathized with what was happening here.
For such an epidemic, no one helped nor came to see what was
happening”.

“In my mind there is no doubt that it was the spraying and not the palm
plantations. When the fish died, it was some weeks after what had
happened here, it was further down. Was it a coincidence that the
sprayings began and we immediately became sick? This river is a

tributary of the Mira River. From here, we could hear the planes, but
we never saw them spray. Apparently, the military and the Red Cross
took some samples, but they never told us the results. The damage
came from the river, because the animals did not get sick, they do not

drink that water. We stopped drinking the water from the river and
instead started drinking water from a spring and the illness stopped.
The wind here always blows toward Colombia because we are near the
sea”. (María Cevallos, nursing assistant in Mataje)

The community said that the entire population became ill, with burning of
the eyes, and that many people, who were sick, did not receive medical
attention at the subcentre because it did not have the capacity for so many.

The same thing happened in Las Delicias, Corriente Larga and Boca de
Chanul.

Eye conditions exhibited included irritation and reddening of the eye

without purulent discharge. Vomit and diarrhea were very liquid, without
blood, and antibiotics were administered for treatment. Respiratory
problems included dry cough, irritation, breathing difficulties, without
developing into asthma. The kin problems were not characteristic of
diseases in children, they were bumps like rashes, which were cured with

alcohol and garamycin.

“It was summer, the river was low and the contamination was great.
Nothing like this has ever happened here in 17 years, but no authority

came to see what happened. That is why we are worried. We know
that the water from the Mira River contaminated us and they just
began spraying again”. (María Cevallos, assistant)

8 children have been born since; none of them have exhibited any
deformation. ANNEX 162

[PAGE 18]

A palm plantation worker, Tania Castillo, confirmed that the sprayings of
the palm trees are done with a pump, and not with planes; and, that the
stream into which the water from these crops drains is downstream, below

Mataje.

5.2.3. INTERVIEW WITH HOSPITAL STAFF

“We have no reports of people being poisoned by the fumigations; we
do not know what happened in Mataje. We received reports from
volunteer collaborators indicating the presence of ARI (Acute

Respiratory Infection), but they have not told us if it is on account of
the sprayings. An investigation should be carried out”. (Dr. Dueñas,
Epidemiologist)

“In October, we had a large number of children with conjunctivitis,
skin lesions, respiratory problems and diarrhea. This was attributed to
the insecticides from the palm plantations, but we do not have anything
available here to work with or investigate. We have only three

attending doctors and we had to bring in the rural doctors to assist at
the hospital because they were not being fully utilized in their locations.
There are brigades that go on visits, but they did not go there.” (Dr.
Merino)

“In the case of an epidemiological emergency, the auxiliaries notify us
of changes in health circumstances, and we go take samples. The unit
provides attention based on its means; it is an acute care hospital that
cannot keep patients for more than two days. When we learned of what

had happened, we went, but we could not take samples. We reported it,
but that was as far as it went, no one came to investigate, not even the
MAG, which is in charge of monitoring the palm plantations. The Red
Cross came and took samples, and also investigators from television

channels”. (Dr. Dueñas)

“Our epidemiological monitoring system does not allow us to follow up
on all of this. We have a laboratory for basic analysis and in Mataje we

do not have the means to replace the light bulb of the microscope,
which burned out months ago. Moreover, there is a serious lack of
personnel. The doctors who reside here are from here, but those whoANNEX 162

come here have gone to Colombia, to Tumaco, where they earn
US$1,200 a month”. (Dr. Merino)

“Rounds are done every two months in order to provide medical
attention to the population, but they are not very effective. Normally,
there is a doctor (for vaccinations), a dental surgeon (only extractions),

and an obstetrician and assistant, but our primary health care rates are
very low”. (Dr. Dueñas)

6.- ANALYSIS

6.1. SECURITY OF THE BORDER POPULATION

The border populations in the Amazon Region are populations living in
extreme vulnerability due to the environmental impacts of petroleum
activities and economical and political marginalization, which augments
social violence in the area. The presence of the fumigations is one more

element of distortion in the area, a situation that demands urgent action and
immediate political decisions.

After the sprayings, their impact on health and the loss of crops, the

population had to migrate, causing problems in the community, family
breakups and the appearance of internally displaced people.

[PAGE 19]

People are leaving their land, which constitutes a risk for the exercise of the
country’s sovereignty. In the case of the indigenous peoples, abandoning
their territories and lands also entails a serious conflict of cultural identity
that threatens the very condition of nationalities and peoples.

Moreover, national sovereignty is threatened both by cross-border
contamination and the presence of activities in national territory. In fact,
there are testimonies that reveal that spraying planes have flown over the

national territory that borders on Colombia.

The state of anxiety and abandonment they find themselves in when faced
with a new spraying, such as the one announced for the area in the months

of July-August, puts a great strain on the population. In Mataje, overflying
planes have also generated a great deal of concern among the population. ANNEX 162

6.2. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL MONITORING

Institutional capacity on the border is weak when it comes to dealing with
health conflicts such as those caused by the sprayings. Epidemiological
monitoring has not been carried out in any of the places that were visited,
the argument for which being that, in some cases, these areas are risky due

to violence, and, in others, that there is a lack of personnel and resources.

The investigation has been left to the press or to dispersed efforts of other
researchers. There has been a lack of coordination and good information

management, including the concealment of information. An example of
this is the position of the Ecuadorian Red Cross. While the Director of the
San Lorenzo Hospital said that the Red Cross had taken water samples from
the Mataje River, Dr. Francisco Cevallos, the National Health Director of

the Red Cross, said in a telephone conversation that they only went to make
a community diagnosis with an analysis of water, but it was not related to
the reports on the sprayings. Two days later, nonetheless, in a letter dated
27 July (see appendix), he indicated that “we have not conducted any

study”. Likewise, although the San Francisco 2 Community applauded the
fact that the Red Cross was the only institution that had shown up, Dr.
Cevallos, in the same letter, stated “With regard to the San Francisco 2
Community, we have not visited them either and we can hardly report on

what they are requesting (…) in all fairness”.

In the event that such studies were conducted, the population does not have
any information on the results of the study. They have never been alerted to

the risks of the sprayings nor have they been treated for their ailments by
any medical staff that may have been in the area.

There is lack of clarity as to institutional responsibilities concerning this
state of emergency. Some have placed the responsibility on others, thus

subjecting the population to conditions of abandonment.

6.3. HEALTH SITUATION ON THE BORDER

Based on the testimonies, interviews, and medical diagnoses, it can be
affirmed that there exists a critical health situation characterized by an
increase of the following at the time of the sprayings:

[PAGE 20]

- Serious irritations of the eyes (conjunctivitis)ANNEX 162

- Skin irritations (abscess, impetigo)
- Gastrointestinal disorders (abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting)

- Acute respiratory infections (bronchitis, flu, asthma)
- Persistence of these symptoms for four months, in Sucumbíos,
especially those of the skin.

The health situation has had a particular impact on the children. It is a
serious coincidence that four children under the age of one died at the
beginning of January, when the sprayings took place and, a fifth one, on
July 30. According to the testimony of the President of the San Francisco

Community, no children of that age had died in the areas referenced within
the two years prior.

In the San Francisco 2 Community, the birth of two children with

deformities was reported, who need to be followed-up on to determine the
relation between these deformities and aerial sprayings. It is also necessary
to monitor the pregnant women in order to determine the possible impact on
the health of their children at birth.

Similarly, school-age children suffered from illnesses during the sprayings
(December - March) which brought about the suspension of classes in the
two communities that were visited. According to testimonies from the

organizations interviewed, the schools of the San Francisco 1 and Nuevo
Mundo Communities, with 25 and 58 students respectively, were forced to
suspend their activities.

All coincide in affirming that the sprayings are the cause of the illnesses.
These symptoms also coincide with observations made by the medical staff
at the hospitals in southern Colombia, who said that from the moment that
the sprayings began, they observed a marked increase of these illnesses.
According to Elsa Nivia, member of the Commission, and the scientific

literature on the effects of Roundup, new coadjuvants are added to this
substance to produce Roundup Ultra, which is the chemical compound used
in the sprayings.

The dates in which the diseases appeared coincide with those of the
sprayings on the other side of the border. Inhabitants of the area, who have
lived there for years, said that this is the first time that something like this
has happened in the area.

Signs and symptoms coincide in different and distant zones of the border,
where sprayings have been conducted on the other side. In the San
Francisco 2 Community, which is two kilometers from the border where ANNEX 162

Colombian territory was sprayed, the entire population reported having had
acute symptoms of poisoning, which COINCIDE with those reported by

Elsa Nivia in Valle de Guamués and San Miguel. Officials from these
municipalities received 1443 complaints filed by heads of family who said
that one or several family members had been affected by symptoms or
health problems, which they attributed to the sprayings.

[PAGE 21]

6.4. SITUATION OF SUBSISTENCE ECONOMIES

The Commission was able to observe the state of the crops in the
communities it visited; and, based on testimonies and interviews, the critical

state of the agricultural and livestock production in the area was evident.

The application of the herbicide ROUNDUP ULTRA contains glyphosate
and the surfactants POEA and Cosmoflux 411. Aerial sprayings in

Colombia have to be carried out at nonstandard altitudes due to the
geopolitical characteristics of the region (it is a war zone). This is being
done in Colombian territory, on the other side of the San Miguel River
(approximately 200 m wide).

It is very easy for particles, from the agrotoxic chemical, to be transported
through drift (blown away by the wind) far from the target area. In this
case, the herbicide not only reaches the desired target, but also crosses over

the border to Ecuadorian territory.

The recommendations from the ROUNDUP product label and technical
manual indicate that “minimum quantities of this herbicide may result in
severe damage or destruction of crops, plants, or other non-target areas (…)

Avoid contact with foliage and green stems of desirable plants. Avoid
contamination of seeds and food for human or animal consumption, keep
out of reach of children.” ( Instructions for the use of Roundup, Registered
Trademark of Monsanto Company, St Louis, Missouri 63166 U.S.A.)

In Ecuador, the Roundup label warning says: “fatal if ingested, toxic if
inhaled, and dangerous for skin contact”.

Crops of coffee, cacao, plantain, rice, yucca, fruit trees, … all coincide in
being indiscriminately affected by the same signs and symptoms: a
generalized yellowing and loss of production. This discoloration–chlorosisANNEX 162

or yellowing of the foliar system is followed by the appearance brown spots
from the apex (tip) of the leaf to the edges, and total withering of the plant.

Another coincidence is that all crops exhibit symptoms of necrosis and
decay in the radicular system (roots) of the plants.

These characteristics have to do mainly with the physiological and
phytotoxicity processes. According to the “scientific” literature explained
by the producers of ROUNDUP, this herbicide acts by inhibiting
(preventing) protein synthesis (physiological process of the plants) and

producing phytotoxicity in them. The plants without protein production will
necessarily be frail, stressed and susceptible to any type of pests and
diseases.

This situation coincides with the information provided by Elsa Nivia, who
confirms that this is a broad-spectrum herbicide absorbed by the leaves.
Thus, sub-lethal doses of glyphosate are sufficient to increase the
susceptibility of some plants to diseases caused by fungi. It may inhibit

beneficial fungi, which help plants absorb nutrients and water and may
interfere with their metabolic processes.

[PAGE 22]

The campesinos and indigenous people of the area stated that this is the first
year they had this type of problems in a generalized manner, and that it
coincides with the sprayings in the neighboring country of Colombia.

The fruits of the coffee plants, which had bloomed abundantly before the
sprayings, promising a great harvest, ceased to produce seeds. This process
coincides with the date of the sprayings.

Impacts of the sprayings on crops have caused a drastic decrease in the
harvests; this, together with the loss of livestock, represents unrecoverable
losses given the marginalized economic situation of border populations.
Credit institutions in the area have not been able to recover their loans given

of the agricultural situation, which has generated a lack of confider for new
loans and new crops in areas where no one knows how long the impacts of
the sprayings will last and, worse still, the impacts if the sprayings are
repeated.

This situation poses a threat of famine in the border populations. ANNEX 162

6.5. SITUATION OF INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS

There are numerous indigenous communities in the border area that, as in

San Francisco 2, are suffering the impacts of the sprayings.

The departure of the shamans from the San Francisco 2 Community is a
clear indication of the cultural impact on bordering communities. The

shamans left their communities because they recognized that the loss of
their powers was due to the destruction of the plants and the presence of
such an aggressive external activity as the fumigations.

Indigenous peoples have a close bond with biodiversity. The decrease in
biodiversity, such as the destruction of plants, produces effects on health,
food, and cultural practices.

The Cofan, Kichwa, and Shuar nationalities of Ecuador exhibit common
threats to those reported in the indigenous territories of the Cofán, Awá,
Huitotos, Ingas, Bora, Cocainas, Pastos, Coreguajes, and Miraná

nationalities, who have seen their collective rights violated by
indiscriminate sprayings over their territories in Colombia. Territorial
integrity and the ability to remain there are essential conditions for their life
as peoples.

7.- CONCLUSIONS

7.1. BORDER AND POPULATION INSECURITY

The sprayings are causing situations of insecurity and fear in border

populations. They are also putting the security of the border at risk as the
areas may become abandoned due to migrations, causing the loss of
“fronteras vivas” (living borders), which guarantee national integrity and
sovereignty.

[PAGE 23]

7.2. LACK OF EPIDEMIOLOGICAL MONITORING

Proper epidemiological monitoring that enables the population to deal with
crisis situations such as the one resulting from the sprayings does not existANNEX 162

in the border area. The border areas have accumulated problems because
marginalization and abandonment by the state make them particularly

vulnerable.

7.3. HEALTH EMERGENCY

The increase in the number and intensity of symptoms associated with the
dates and locations of the sprayings cannot be considered a mere
coincidence. It can be asserted that the sprayings have caused a health

emergency that must be dealt with urgently.

7.4. THREAT OF FAMINE

The sprayings have caused the destruction of crops. Damage to crops and to
subsistence economies may cause famine in border populations, which
depend on agricultural activity.

7.5. CROSS-BORDER CONTAMINATION

There is sufficient evidence of chemical contamination due to the aerial
fumigations in Colombia. Glyphosate is, in fact, harmful to health and the
environment. The specialized scientific literature (Williams, Kroes y Munro,
2000) affirms that statements about the innocuous nature of the glyphosate

are irrelevant.

The Convention on Biological Diversity establishes the principle that the
States have the sovereign right to exploit their own resources and the
responsibility to ensure that the activities that are carried out within their

own jurisdiction or under their control do not cause harm to the environment
of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. (Article
3 CBD)

“The norms in international treaties and agreements, once promulgated in
the Official Gazette, shall form part of the legal system of the Republic and
shall take prevalence over laws and other norms of lesser rank” (Political
Constitution of Ecuador Article 163)

“The rights and guarantees laid down in this Constitution and in the
international instruments in force shall be directly and immediately
applicable by and before any judge, court or authority” (PCE Art. 18) ANNEX 162

7.6. URGENT NEED FOR PREVENTION

The testimonies collected are sufficient to substantiate the existence of
environmental and human health impacts and to demand actions for
environmental restoration, mitigation of the impacts, recovery of the

affected areas and the recovery of the capacity for sustenance of local
populations’ capacity for sustainability

[PAGE 24]

7.7. VIOLATIONS OF COLLECTIVE INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

Indigenous nationalities and peoples are particularly vulnerable, since the
sprayings affect the foundation of their culture. Ethnocide has already
begun with the destruction of biodiversity and forced displacement from

their territories.

Some collectives rights of the Indigenous Peoples, recognized in
Convention 169 of the ILO, have been ignored: “No form of force or

coercion shall be used in violation of the human rights and fundamental
freedoms of the peoples concerned, including the rights contained in this
Convention” (Article 3); “Special measures shall be adopted as appropriate
for safeguarding the persons, institutions, property, labour, cultures and

environment of the peoples concerned.” (Article 4, paragraph 1);
“Governments shall take measures, in co-operation with the peoples
concerned, to protect and preserve the environment of the territories they
inhabit.” (Article 7, paragraph 4).

7.8. DAMAGES AND THE RIGHT TO THE COMPENSATION AND
REPARATION

The Commission, during its inspection visit to the border areas, was able to
verify evident damage to human and animal health and to the environment
caused by aerial chemical sprayings by the Colombian authorities, which

warrant compensation and reparation by the Colombian Government for the
effects and impacts of the sprayings.ANNEX 162

[PAGE 25]

RECOMMEDATIONS OF THE INDIGENOUS, CAMPESINO AND

SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS

Based on the Technical Report of the International Commission on the

Impacts in Ecuadorian Territory of Aerial Fumigations in Colombia, the
Indigenous, Campesino and Social Organizations present the following
recommendations to the National Government:

9. That the National Government comply with the agreements established
as part of the Dialogue Working Group, in particular, the request that the
Colombian Government immediately suspend aerial fumigations in the

border area, and proceed with the related compensations.

10. To accept the Report prepared by the International Technical
Commission and provide immediate resolution to the conclusions

arrived at in the report; the fulfillment of which shall be monitored by
the Indigenous, Campesino and Social Organizations.

11. To apply the CONSTITUTIONAL PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE to

its international policy, in order to preserve the human rights of the
Indigenous Nationalities and Peoples and of the populations in the
border areas, the environment and human health.

This principle is enshrined in the Political Constitution of the
Ecuadorian State: “The State shall take the necessary preventive
measures, in case of doubt, regarding the impact or negative

environmental consequences of an action or omission, even if there is no
scientific evidence of harm” (Art. 91).

12. That the Ecuadorian State proceed to compensate the affected

populations in order to guarantee their survival and food security and
repair environmental damages caused by the sprayings. ANNEX 162

13. All new research efforts should be directed towards the mitigation of
impacts, the recovery of the affected areas and the recovery of the local

populations’ capacity for sustainability.

14. To urge the media and public officials to act with transparency in the
dissemination of information, and request that they refrain from painting

glyphosate as safe or innocuous, as there is sufficient scientific literature
to demonstrate the danger and toxicity of this product.

The Code of Conduct of the FAO on the Distribution and Use of

Pesticides recommends in Article 11, regarding publicity, the avoidance
words that inspire confidence in toxics. Officials who assert that the use
of glyphosate is less harmful than salt, nicotine or vitamin A should be
reprimanded, as the sprayings being carried out with Roundup Ultra

contain substances that when mixed become more toxic; and, because
the sprayings are conducted at a percentage that is 26 times higher than

[PAGE 26]

that permitted for agricultural uses by the EPA (United States
Environmental Protection Agency).

Similarly, national laws also prohibit deceptive publicity, “all forms of
deceptive publicity or abusive publicity that lead to errors in the
selection of a good or service which may affect the interests and rights
of the consumer are forbidden” (Article 6, Organic Law for the Defense

of the Consumer)

15. Moreover, we urge the media and public officials to refrain from
discrediting the affected population, by arguing that they seek to take
advantage of their complaints. The Indigenous Peoples and Campesino

Communities that live in the border areas are innocent victims of this
unjustified regionalization of the Colombian armed conflict.

16. To create a surveillance committee or monitoring system, with the

participation of public institutions, social organizations and local
governments, to monitor the border areas and be alert to actions being
carried out in the neighboring country that may affect the environment
and the quality of life of the Ecuadorians. ANNEX 162

INFORME TECNICO DE LA COMISION INTERNACIONAL SOBRE

LOS IMPACTOS EN TERRITORIO ECUATORIANO DE LAS
FUMIGACIONES AEREAS EN COLOMBIA

Y

RECOMENDACIONES DE LAS ORGANIZACIONES INDÍGENAS,

CAMPESINAS Y SOCIALES

19-22 de julio del 2001ANNEX 162

RECOMENDACIONES DE LAS ORGANIZACIONES INDÍGENAS,

CAMPESINAS Y SOCIALES

Las Organizaciones Indígenas Campesinas y Sociales, basadas en el Informe Técnico de

la Comisión Internacional sobre los impactos en territorio ecuatoriano de las fumigaciones
aéreas en Colombia, presentan al gobierno nacional las siguientes recomendaciones:

1. Que el gobierno nacional cumpla con los acuerdos establecidos en la Mesa de
Diálogo, en particular la solicitud dirigida al Gobierno Colombiano para que suspenda
inmediatamente las fumigaciones aéreas en las zonas de frontera, y proceda a las
indemnizaciones respectivas.

2. Acoger el informe preparado por la Comisión Técnica Internacional, y dar solución
inmediata a las conclusiones a las que el informe llega, para lo cual, las
Organizaciones Indígenas, Campesinas y Sociales se mantendrán vigilantes de su
cumplimiento.

3.Aplicar en su política internacional el PRINCIPIO CONSTITUCIONAL DE

PRECAUCION, a fin de preservar los derechos humanos de las nacionalidades y
Pueblos Indígenas y pobladores de las zonas de frontera, el medio ambiente y la
salud humana.

Este principio está consagrado en la Constitución Política del Estado Ecuatoriano “El
Estado tomará medidas preventivas, en caso de dudas, sobre el impacto o las
consecuencias ambientales negativas de alguna acción u omisión, aunque no exista
evidencia científica de daño” (art.91).

4. Que el Estado Ecuatoriano proceda a indemnizar a las poblaciones afectadas con el
propósito de garantizar su supervivencia y su seguridad alimentarias y reparar los
daños ambientales ocasionados por las fumigaciones

5. Todos los esfuerzos nuevos de investigación deberán dirigirse a la mitigación de los
impactos, la recuperación de las áreas intervenidas y la recuperación de la capacidad

de sustentación de las poblaciones locales

6. Instar a los medios de comunicación y a los funcionarios públicos que actúen con
transparencia en la difusión de información, y solicitar que se abstengan de construir
imágenes de seguridad o inocuidad del glifosato, debido a que existe literatura
científica suficiente que demuestra la peligrosidad y toxicidad del mismo.

El Código de Conducta de la FAO sobre Distribución y Uso de plaguicidas recomienda

en su artículo 11, sobre la publicidad, que se eviten palabras que despierten la
confianza en los tóxicos. Se debería amonestar a aquellos funcionarios que aseveran
que el uso del glifosato es menos dañino que la sal, la nicotina o la vitamina A, pues
se está fumigando con Round Up Ultra, que lleva sustancias que al mezclarlas le
hacen más tóxico y porque las fumigaciones se hacen a un porcentaje 26 veces más

2 ANNEX 162

alto que el permitido por la EPA ( Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los Estados
Unidos) para usos agrícolas.

De igual forma, las leyes nacionales sancionan la publicidad engañosa, “Quedan
prohibidas todas las formas de publicidad engañosa o abusiva, que induzca a error en
la elección del bien o servicio que puedan afectar los intereses y derechos del
consumidor” (art.6 Ley Orgánica de Defensa del Consumidor)

7. De igual manera, instamos a que los medios de comunicación y funcionarios públicos
se abstengan de descalificar a la población afectada, argumentando que buscan
obtener provecho de sus denuncias. Los Pueblos Indígenas y Comunidades
Campesinas, que habitan en las zonas fronterizas, son víctimas inocentes de esta
injustificada regionalización del conflicto armado colombiano.

8. Crear una comisión de vigilancia o un sistema de monitoreo, con la participación de
instituciones públicas, organizaciones sociales y gobiernos locales, a fin de vigilar las
zonas de frontera para estar atentos a acciones que se hagan en el país vecino que
afecten el medio ambiente y la calidad de vida de los ecuatorianos.

3ANNEX 162

1.- PARTICIPANTES DE LA COMISION.............................................................................5

2.- ANTECEDENTES...........................................................................................................7

3.- OBJETIVOS....................................................................................................................9

4.- METODOLOGIA .............................................................................................................9

5.- RESULTADOS: INFORMACIÓN RECIBIDA Y OBSERVACION DE CAMPO............10

5.1.- RECORRIDO EN SUCUMBÍOS (JULIO 19 Y 20)..............................................................10
5.1.1 Testimonios de las organizaciones.....................................................................10
5.1.2 Testimonios de la comunidad san francisco 2 ....................................................12
5.1.3.Chequeos médicos .............................................................................................14

5.1.4. Observación de cultivos y animales...................................................................14
5.2. RECORRIDO EN ESMERALDAS ...................................................................................16
5.2.1. Testimonio de las organizaciones......................................................................16
5.2.2.Testimonios de la comunidad de mataje.............................................................17
5.2.3.Entrevista al personal del hospital ......................................................................18

6.- ANÁLISIS......................................................................................................................18

6.1. SEGURIDAD DE LA POBLACIÓN EN LA FRONTERA ........................................................18
6.2. VIGILANCIA EPIDEMIOLÓGICA ....................................................................................19
6.3. SITUACIÓN DE SALUD EN LA FRONTERA .....................................................................19

6.4. SITUACIÓN DE LAS ECONOMÍAS DE SUBSISTENCIA .....................................................21
6.5. SITUACIÓN DE LAS POBLACIONES INDÍGENAS ............................................................22

7.- CONCLUSIONES..........................................................................................................22

7.1. INSEGURIDAD DE LA POBLACIÓN Y DE LA FRONTERA ..................................................22
7.2. CARENCIA DE VIGILANCIA EPIDEMIOLÓGICA ...............................................................23
7.3. EMERGENCIA SANITARIA ...........................................................................................23
7.4. AMENAZA DE HAMBRUNA ..........................................................................................23
7.5. CONTAMINACIÓN TRANSFRONTERIZA................................................................21.......................

7.6. URGENCIA DE PREVENCIÓN ......................................................................................21
7.7. VIOLACIONES A LOS DERECHOS COLECTIVOS INDÍGENAS ...........................................22
7.8. DAÑOS Y DERECHO A INDEMNIZACIONES Y REPARACIONES ........................................24

ANEXOS I : Informe de la FOKISE a la CONAIE

ANEXO II: Denuncia de la Asociación Indígena de San Francisco 2
ANEXO III: Carta del Director Nacional de Salud de la Cruz Roja Ecuatoriana

4 ANNEX 162

INFORME TECNICO DE LA COMISION INTERNACIONAL SOBRE

LOS IMPACTOS EN TERRITORIO ECUATORIANO DE LAS
FUMIGACIONES AEREAS EN COLOMBIA

19-22 de julio del 2001

1.- PARTICIPANTES DE LA COMISION

La comisión estuvo presidida por:
1
Blanca Chancoso. Dirigente CONAIE

Y conformada por:
Elsa Nivia. Ing. Agrónoma, Rapal 2Colombia
David Reyes. Ing. Agrónomo, Rapal Ecuador

Elizabeth Bravo. Doctora en Biología. Instituto de Estudios Ecologistas del Tercer Mundo
Adolfo Maldonado. Doctor especialista en Medicina Tropical. Acción Ecológica

Acompañaron la Comisión:

Rainer Stöckelmann. Equipo de Comunicación de la CONAIE
Lucía Gallardo. Coordinadora de la Comisión. Acción Ecológica

Esta comisión se reunió en las provincias de Sucumbíos y Esmeraldas con diferentes
organizaciones sociales y autoridades civiles, que en algunos casos acompañaron a la

comisión en el recorrido a las comunidades de estudio. Participaron 111 personas en la
recolección de información:

19 de julio de 2001 (3:00 p.m.) Lago Agrio

3
Reunión en la FOKISE con presencia de:

Orlando Grefa Presidente Yolanda Grefa Dirigente de Mujeres
AnselmoSalazar Vicepresidente JorgeValverde Coord. Nac. Indíg.

Consejo Provincial.
ItaloCerda Dirig. De Desarrollo
Comunitario

19 de julio de 2001 (5,00pm)

Reunión en el Municipio de Lago Agrio
29 personas presentes en la reunión:

4
Carmen Granda IMLA (Municipio) Armando Cerda FOKISE
Wilman Benalcazar IMLA César Cerda FOKISE

1CONAIE: Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas del Ecuador
2RAPAL: Red de Acción y Alternativas al uso de Plaguicidas en América Latina
3
4FOKISE: Federación de Organizaciones Kichwas de Sucumbíos, Ecuador
IMLA: Ilustre Municipio de Lago Agrio

5ANNEX 162

Hernán Benalcazar IMLA Rosendo Castillo Centro Agrícola
Jorge Valverde HCPS 5 Edgar Balcazar Centro Agrícola
Kristina Hanson National Swedish José Félix Aldaz Unión Asociaciones
Radio de Agricultores

Elizabeth Lundgren Cooperación Técnica Jorge Salas Asoc. Campesinos
Sueca C. Solidario
Ove Öst Cooperación Técnica Abelardo Ruiz Centro Agrícola
Sueca
6
Richard Rojas FEPP Lago Agrio Máximo García Comité Modelo
Pablo Rivera Narcisa Hurtado Codesa Esmeradas
Carlos Guerrero Honorio Yunga Comité DDHH Lago
A
Pepe Castillo ASCIS 7 José Luís Guevara Las Propicias (Esm)
8
Padre Vinicio ISAMIS Margarita Castillo La Propicia 1
Gilberto Grefa FOKISE Alexandra Almeida Acción Ecológica
Anselmo Salazar FOKISE Patricia Granda Acción Ecológica
Eddy García ASCIS

20 de julio de 2001 (7:00am)

Asociación Indígena San Francisco 2 (Sucumbíos)
Esta comunidad cuenta con 21 familias. El censo lo constituyen 46 adultos, los niños no

están censados, pero hay 21 niños en la escuela.
En la reunión realizada en la escuela se presentaron 22 adultos y 17 niños.

20 de julio de 2001 (7:00 p.m.)

Esmeraldas, reunión en el auditorio de la Gobernación.
Participantes:

Adolfo Chapiro Cdad Chachi, profesor Charito Rivera Foro de mujeres (Ptra.)

Pablo de La Cruz Cdad Chachi Lourdes Villota Foro de mujeres (Ptra.)
Fredy Cevallos Pte. Red Sureste Celeste Cagua Foro de mujeres (Ptra.)
Narcisa Estupiñan Pte. Red Noreste Ketty Flores Foro de mujeres (Ptra.)
Daisy Monroy Pte. Red Noroeste Victoria Caicedo Foro de mujeres (Ptra.)

Leonardo Quintero Repres. R. Centroeste Raúl Méndez Repres. INNFA
Antonio Hers Tte. Político P. Taviazo Patricio García
Humberto Reyes Reprs. R. Suroeste Eduardo
Quiñonez
Piedad Ortiz Foro de mujeres (C.S.) Tomas Palomino Repres. Consejo Prov.

Ruby Montaño Foro de mujeres (Ptra.) Antoñeta Viera Foro de mujeres. Coor.
Proy.

21 de julio de 2001 (1:00 p.m.)

5
6 HCPS: Honorable Consejo de la Provincia de Sucumbíos
7 FEPP: Fondo Ecuatoriano Populorum y Progreso
ASCIS: Asociación de la Sociedad Civil de Sucumbíos
8 ISAMIS: Iglesia de San Miguel de Sucumbíos

6 ANNEX 162

Comunidad de Mataje, Esmeraldas. Se realizó una reunión con 16 personas de la
comunidad, muchos no acudieron por estar avisados que la comisión llegaba en
helicóptero y esperaron en la mañana.

21 de julio de 2001 (5:30 p.m.)

Hospital Fiscomisional Divina Providencia, capacidad para 68 camas, con 3 médicos de
planta y 6 rurales para guardias e itinerancias. Reunión con el Dr. Dueñas, epidemiólogo y
Coordinador del hospital y Dr. Merino, Director del hospital.

2.- ANTECEDENTES

Tras el levantamiento indígena del 21 de enero de este año, el Gobierno Nacional y las
organizaciones indígenas, campesinas y sociales suscribieron el 7 de febrero un Acuerdo
sobre 23 temas de interés nacional, a través de los cuales el Gobierno Nacional reconoció
“la existencia de conflictos históricamente no resueltos en la relación Estado-Pueblos
Indígenas”. Pero, además, se incluyeron demandas como “no admitir la

regionalización del Plan Colombia ni involucrar al país en un conflicto ajeno” (punto
16 del Acuerdo) y en lo relativo al “reclamo de indemnizaciones a los Gobiernos de
EEUU y Colombia por parte del gobierno ecuatoriano, por todos los daños que
provoque a la sociedad, a la economía y naturaleza ecuatorianas la ejecución del
Plan Colombia”, serán tratadas en “Mesas de trabajo” (Anexo I).

En cumplimiento de este acuerdo, el Gobierno Nacional y las Organizaciones Indígenas,

Campesinas y Sociales, sostuvieron ocho reuniones de trabajo, entre el 10 de abril y el 28
de junio, y una revisión de los acuerdos, la misma que se realizó el 4 de julio.

En estas reuniones se aprobaron 11 acuerdos parciales entre las Partes, siendo uno de
ellos el que admite que “se efectuará una investigación técnica y científica, a cargo
de una Comisión bipartita del Gobierno Nacional y de las organizaciones indígenas,

integrada por delegados de instituciones nacionales e internacionales involucradas
en temas de salud humana y protección del ambiente, a fin de determinar
eventuales efectos nocivos en territorio ecuatoriano de las fumigaciones en el sur
de Colombia y recomendar, si fuere del caso, las acciones y medidas que se
considere pertinentes”.

Este acuerdo además establecía que la “Comisión iniciará su trabajo, a partir de la

segunda quincena de julio para lo cual el Gobierno dará las facilidades necesarias”
(Anexo II).

Las preocupaciones de las organizaciones indígenas, campesinas y sociales en la Mesa
de Diálogo sobre el Plan Colombia fueron las siguientes:

a) La regionalización del conflicto social y armado colombiano;

b) los reiterados intereses de las empresas transnacionales, con el fin de apropiarse de
los territorios y los recursos de la Región Amazónica para su explotación
indiscriminada;
c) El apoyo de la industria petrolera y armamentística de los Estados Unidos a la
aplicación del Plan Colombia;

7ANNEX 162

d) La paulatina militarización de las zonas de frontera que incluyen operativos con
fuerzas militares nacionales y extranjeras, así como el hostigamiento y acoso reiterado
de estas fuerzas, que atentan contra los derechos colectivos de las nacionalidades y
pueblos indígenas;

e) La agudización y el desbordamiento de la crisis humanitaria y de derechos humanos
de Colombia a los países fronterizos, en especial a Ecuador;
f) La inseguridad y el amedrentamiento permanente en las zonas fronterizas con
Colombia, por parte de los actores armados, que han provocado desplazamientos
forzados de varias comunidades indígenas de los pueblos shuar, kichwa y cofán, que
atentan contra su vida cotidiana, sus tradiciones y costumbres.
g) El impacto y las consecuencias en la economía local, la salud humana y animal, y en

los cultivos y las plantaciones de subsistencia de las poblaciones fronterizas, cercanas
a las zonas de fumigación aérea con agentes químicos, por parte del Gobierno
colombiano;
h) El involucramiento de nuestro país en el conflicto armado y social colombiano al ceder
el uso de las instalaciones de la Base Aérea “Eloy Alfaro”, en la ciudad de Manta, a las
fuerzas militares estadounidenses.

Sin embargo, lo que no está en discusión es que dentro de la estrategia de erradicación
de áreas de cultivos calificados como “ilícitos“ dentro del Plan Colombia, se están
utilizando sustancias químicas altamente tóxicas para la salud humana y el medio
ambiente y en su ejecución se ha afectado al territorio ecuatoriano. La preocupación
acerca de la formulación química utilizada en los programas de erradicación de cultivos
ilícitos y los efectos en el medio ambiente y la salud humana, ha levantado la
preocupación del propio senado norteamericano, a través del Comité de Adquisiciones.

Incluso la Organización de Naciones Unidas ha expresado su preocupación por los
posibles efectos de las fumigaciones en el medio ambiente y la salud humana.

En el Ecuador la situación por la que atraviesan las poblaciones fronterizas no es menos
desconcertante. Varias denuncias, provenientes de distintas fuentes, coinciden en
manifestar su preocupación por los efectos sentidos en la salud humana y en el medio
ambiente, que se expresa en la pérdida y destrucción de varios cultivos alimenticios. Ante

esta preocupación la comisión bilateral decidió efectuar un recorrido por las provincias
fronterizas para determinar los impactos en la zona y en la población.

LIMITACIONES

La débil voluntad política del Gobierno Nacional para facilitar el trabajo de la Comisión

bipartita se manifestó claramente:

- En la ausencia de varios delegados del gobierno en las reuniones previas de
organización del trabajo de la comisión.
- En la falta de apoyo a los requerimientos de información acerca de aspectos
relevantes al tema a investigar.
- La ausencia de facilidades logísticas

De hecho la falta de seriedad del Gobierno Nacional frente a los acuerdos adquiridos en
las Mesas de Diálogo sobre el Plan Colombia, mesa que es presidida por el embajador
Alejandro Suárez, en representación del Gobierno Nacional, influyó para que la comisión
no pueda contar con la participación de organizaciones internacionales de gran prestigio
en la materia como: Sunshine Project - Estados Unidos, Global Exchange - Estados

8 ANNEX 162

Unidos, Acción Andina – Colombia, quienes una vez aceptada su participación en la
Comisión, no pudieron ajustar sus agendas personales a las constantes señales del
Gobierno Nacional de incumplimiento de la agenda previamente concertada.

Prueba de ello es el acuerdo tomado el 11 de mayo, ratificado el 17 de ese mismo mes,
para que una comisión de inspección empiece su labor la segunda quincena de junio y
que luego fue postergada para el 16 de julio. No obstante, por requerimiento de
Cancillería, se volvió a postergar esta actividad dos días más, fecha inicialmente prevista
para el arribo de los participantes extranjeros. A pesar de ello, el Ministerio de Relaciones
Exteriores remitió a último momento, el miércoles 18 de julio, por la tarde, una
comunicación en la que solicitaba postergar, una vez más, la fecha del inicio de las

actividades de la Comisión Bipartita, sin señalar una fecha definitiva y argumentando falta
de facilidades logísticas, lo que evidentemente perjudicó la participación de
representantes internacionales.

Ante esta situación, las Organizaciones Indígenas, Sociales y Campesinas decidieron
continuar con el trabajo, y conformaron una Comisión Técnica con expertos nacionales y
con la participación de Elsa Nivia, experta colombiana.

3.- OBJETIVOS

a) Realizar un reconocimiento en las zonas de frontera (Esmeraldas, Carchi y
Sucumbíos) e identificar el impacto a la población ecuatoriana, por las fumigaciones

realizadas en Colombia en el marco del Plan Colombia.
b) Recoger los testimonios de la población, de sus afecciones al momento de las
fumigaciones y la situación actual.
c) Documentar el impacto de las fumigaciones en la salud de la población, sus cultivos y
animales de crianza, con evidencias que apoyen e impulsen la adopción de medidas
locales, nacionales e internacionales, que resuelvan los impactos actuales y eviten
nuevas situaciones que amenacen a la población ecuatoriana.

d) Recoger las propuestas y denuncias que sobre las fumigaciones han hecho
organizaciones de la sociedad civil y gobiernos locales.
e) Abrir canales de participación de la población local a partir de la conformación de una
red de monitoreo y vigilancia de posibles impactos por las fumigaciones en cada una
de las 3 provincias fronterizas.

4.- METODOLOGIA

La Comisión inicialmente preveía el recorrido por las tres provincias de la frontera norte:
Sucumbíos, Esmeraldas y Carchi.

En la provincia de Sucumbíos se visitarían tres comunidades, dos colonas y una indígena

Kichwa (San Francisco 1, San Francisco 2 y Nuevo Mundo). Por las limitaciones
señaladas anteriormente se visitó únicamente San Francisco 1 y 2 y posteriormente, con
el fin de recoger información escrita, visitamos la Comunidad de General Farfán

En Esmeraldas se visitó la zona de Mataje, compuesta en su mayoría por población
afrodescendiente.

9ANNEX 162

El recorrido en Carchi se canceló, pues era imposible llegar a la comunidad de San
Marcos, sin contar con un helicóptero. Este recorrido se postergó para un segundo
momento.

En las provincias visitadas, Sucumbíos y Esmeraldas, se realizaron reuniones con las

autoridades locales, instituciones y organizaciones sociales antes de los recorridos a fin
de que se incorporaran a las visitas y de conocer su interés, información y propuestas
sobre las fumigaciones y sus impactos.

Con las comunidades se trabajó en dos grupos: 1. Uno para identificar, a través de los

propios afectados, el impacto de las fumigaciones mediante entrevistas y chequeos
médicos. 2. El otro grupo fue conformado para identificar los impactos en los sistemas
agrícolas y en la crianza de animales, en base a la observación y entrevistas.

Considerando la situación de invisibilidad a la que está sometida la población de la zona,
a la Comisión le pareció importante que los resultados de este informe recojan los

testimonios de los actores locales.

5.- RESULTADOS: INFORMACIÓN RECIBIDA Y OBSERVACION DE CAMPO

5.1.- RECORRIDO EN SUCUMBÍOS (JULIO 19 Y 20)

5.1.1.- TESTIMONIOS DE LAS ORGANIZACIONES

Los dirigentes de la FOKISE manifestaron estar sufriendo por las acciones derivadas del
Plan Colombia (las fumigaciones y la violencia) así como por las actividades extractivas

de las empresas petroleras:

“Hemos sido afectados con enfermedades y muchas de las personas que salieron huyendo
ahora son amenazadas y perseguidas. El Estado debe evitar que ese territorio que les
obligaron abandonar sea ocupado por colonos, o debe declararlo como reserva.”
“Hay numerosas personas kichwas afectadas a lo largo del río San Miguel y los cultivos
están afectados por las fumigaciones. Los aviones cruzaron la frontera y tenemos
problemas respiratorios, oculares, de piel,...”lando Grefa, Presidente)

Preguntamos sobre si tenían datos que pudieran sustentar estas afirmaciones y dijeron:

“No tenemos datos por escrito, porque no hemos ingresado en esa zona desde octubre-
noviembre del año pasado. Por cuestiones de seguridad no se desplazó la brigada médica
de la FOKISE a la zona.”(Jorge Valverde, coordinador)

Manifestaron haber recibido denuncias orales de problemas por las fumigaciones desde
los Tetetes hacia arriba del Río San Miguel y tener grabado un vídeo sobre los problemas
de las fumigaciones en la comuna San Francisco 2, que nos facilitaron. En él aparecen
testimonios de campesinos e indígenas describiendo las afecciones causadas por las
fumigaciones a la población, cultivos, economía, educación de los niños y cultura.

Manifestaron estar preocupados por la interpretación que hizo de sus palabras la
Comisión Interministerial desplazada a Lago Agrio el 5 y 6 de julio, por lo que enviaron un

10 ANNEX 162

Informe aclaratorio a la CONAIE (Ver anexo). El Dr. Vinicio Mancheno 9 recalcó en
posterior conversación, al recoger el informe, que ellos manifestaron no encontrar

afecciones en la población en la franja desde Yanamaru a Riera, en el Río San Miguel,
que no es fronteriza con Colombia y a 10 horas de canoa (alrededor de 50 km) de la zona
más intensamente fumigada del Valle de Guamués y San Miguel.

La población campesina, presente en la reunión realizada el 19 de julio en el Municipio,
manifestó:

“Los niños de las escuelas, en las comunidades cercanas a la frontera, están con
problemas, antes jugaban y ahora están con dolores de cabeza y diarrea. En la comunidad
10 de agosto había más de 500 pobladores, ahora no hay ni 200 porque en el campo no hay
crédito ni financiamiento ni apoyo para la producción. Las fumigaciones han acabado con
nuestras cosechas. La situación es alarmante porque no hay fuentes de trabajo para
compensar. Estamos contaminados y sin ingresos” (Edgar Balcazar, Coop.10 de agosto)

“El crédito a los campesinos ha sido imposible de recuperar este año. Se ha realizado un
estudio con muestras para ubicar cuál es el problema, y buscar alternativas, pero aún
estamos a la espera de los resultados”. (Richard Rojas, FEPP-Nueva Loja)

“Hemos tratado de coordinar, y de reunir a las comunidades, pero no se ha podido hacer
con las instituciones”.(Rosendo castillo, Presidente Centro Agrícola de Sucumbíos)

“Si no nos dan información, no tendrán ningún pago ni ninguna indemnización. Así fue que
nos dijo el grupo de ingenieros agrónomos de Sucumbíos. Sin 10bargo, los señores
profesionales, veterinarios, agrónomos, el doctor del MAG (yo lo denuncio públicamente)
dijo que nosotros los campesinos somos mentirosos, que sólo andamos en busca de
dinero. Aquí tenemos las evidencias- dice mostrando una yuca enferma-. Este es un
producto que tenemos. Hace seis, ocho meses atrás, nosotros no teníamos este tipo de

enfermedades. Nosotros teníamos un producto sano, teníamos una buena cosecha. De 23
quintales por hectárea de arroz, ahora cosechamos dos, tres quintales de arroz. (...)A mí se
me murieron 17 animales en menos de 30 días, y dice el señor del MAG que nosotros somos
mentirosos, que hay que ir a verificar. Yo le dije que si quiere le llevo a ver las osamentas
de los animales que se me han muerto(...) Pueden hacer una encuesta a cualquier maestro
de cualquier escuela sobre lo que les comento: que los niños brincaban, saltaban de alegría

seis, ocho meses atrás. Ahora se duermen en los pupitres y cada rato necesitan el baño.
(...) Estamos viniendo aquí a Lago Agrio, al Coca, a Puerto El Carmen porque en el campo no
tenemos qué hacer, necesitamos un crédito, necesitamos un financiamiento, una
preparación para poder mejorar nuestra producción. Si salimos del campo a la ciudad, ¿a
qué salimos? Creo que en menos de un año, nosotros aquí en Sucumbíos no vamos a tener
qué comer, porque la situación es alarmante. El señor Presidente ha venido haciéndose de

oídos sordos porque supuestamente él conformó su delegación para venir a verificar;
nosotros estamos dispuestos a demostrar, a decirle al pueblo ecuatoriano y al mundo en
general que estamos contaminados, que estamos enfermos, que no tenemos una fuente de
ingreso para mantener a nuestras familias. Nosotros, lentamente, vamos a morir como los
animales silvestres”. (Edgar Balcazar, Coop.10 de agosto)

“En la frontera los que vivimos jamas tuvimos problemas hasta ahora que empezaron las
fumigaciones y las aplicaciones del Plan Colombia”. (Jorge Salas, Cooperativa Chone 1)

9
10r: Vinicio Mancheno: Director del Área de Salud de la FOKISE
MAG: Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería

11ANNEX 162

“Hemos mandado muestras de plantas para ver la posibilidad de enfermedades por hongos,
y por otras plagas, es decir, al nivel fitopatológico. En caso de suelos ver la fertilidad y en el
caso del agua, ver cómo está la composición físico-química. Eso es lo que se pretende
hacer. No queremos buscar el glifosato porque sabemos que es muy difícil, obviamente, en
pruebas de laboratorio buscar eso. Pero es importante determinar la fitotoxicidad también”.
(Eddy García, ASCIS)

5.1.2.TESTIMONIOS DE LA COMUNIDAD SAN FRANCISCO 2

La comunidad reside a 2.000 metros de donde se realizaron las fumigaciones en

Colombia. Varias avionetas fumigaban durante 4-5 veces y durante 8 días, después
volvían a los 15 días y nuevamente fumigaban. Si bien algunos presentes comentaron
que las fumigaciones se podían percibir desde septiembre hasta marzo, coincidieron que
desde principios de enero fueron visibles.

“Hemos vivido años en los que la felicidad y la paz reinaban y no las enfermedades como

ahora. Nadie tenía los problemas con la salud, los animales, las plantas. Por nuestros
shamanes ya conocíamos que este era un sitio sagrado y que las plantas son sagradas
también. Pero ahora esas plantas están contaminadas y se vienen contra nosotros. Nos toca
morirnos como extranjeros en nuestra propia tierra. Era nuestro edén y ahora ha tocado un
castigo tremendo. Queremos que el Gobierno nos vea y hable con nosotros, pero no quiere
porque tiene vergüenza. Aquí se está muriendo la gente y los doctores no nos dicen lo que
tenemos, no nos pueden dar el resultado final, dicen que es dengue, paludismo, fiebre
amarilla, tuberculosis, no sé que, pero nadie nos puede dar el resultado.” (Olmedo Avilés,

Vicepresidente de la Asociación)

Aunque refieren beber agua de los pozos, se bañan en el río. Comentan que en esa
época hacía mucho viento y que “apestaba feo y ardían las vistas y la nariz”. Todos desde
el comienzo presentaron ojos rojos, que ardían y lloraban y molestaba para ver.

“Nosotros creemos que son por las fumigaciones porque antes no había enfermedad y
vivíamos libres, sanos. Ahora por la fumigación empezaron síntomas de fiebre”. (miembro
de la comunidad)

Relataron que los primeros en enfermarse eran los niños, con un cuadro digestivo de
diarreas y vómitos intensos con inflamación abdominal. Posteriormente fueron los adultos
los que presentaron estos cuadros.

“En algunas casas se enferman los niños y en otras toda la familia se enferma; adultos y
niños, con los mismos síntomas. Los adultos más con fiebre y dolor de cuerpo y de

cabeza”. (miembro de la comunidad)

Después los problemas fueron respiratorios, con una tos intensa y seca, pero que se
acompañaba de dificultad para respirar y que a muchos niños les dieron desmayos. Estos,
junto con las fiebres ocasionaron que los 21 niños de la escuela dejaran de asistir y en la

actualidad, refiere el profesor, están con anemia y no pueden rendir bien. La escuela, por
estos problemas, cerró un mes antes de lo establecido, y lo mismo ocurrió en la
Asociación San Francisco 1.

Refirieron, de igual manera, la aparición de ampollas en la piel que sostuvieron durante

bastante tiempo.

12 ANNEX 162

Comentaron que una semana antes de la visita se presentó la Cruz Roja Ecuatoriana para

brindar atención médica. Les dieron algunos tratamientos, pero dijeron que necesitaban
una atención más continuada, porque sino van a quedar sólo con calmantes.
Denunciaron que es la única institución de salud que se ha hecho presente en la zona.

Se reportó la muerte de cuatro niños durante el período de mayores fumigaciones: Uno de

la comunidad El Cóndor y tres de la comunidad Reina del Cisne, uno de ellos de 1 año de
edad. Manifestaron que en los dos últimos años ningún niño murió con menos de tres
años, lo que puede demostrarse porque en San Francisco 2 se encuentra el cementerio
para las comunidades de alrededor, pero que en el periodo del 2 al 10 de enero del 2001
fallecieron estos 4 niños. La madre de la niña fallecida, Ethel Calapucha, manifestó que
su hija estuvo con fiebre, vómito y diarrea y que murió en menos de dos días. Fue

atendida en el Centro de Salud San Francisco de Lago Agrio, donde no le encontraron la
causa. Remitida a su domicilio murió en la casa. Quienes vieron el cadáver relatan que
el cuerpo se puso morado, no lívido, y que igual ocurrió con los otros niños fallecidos.

De las siete familias presentes en la reunión se pudo obtener los siguientes datos:

De las 45 personas que componen esas siete familias, todas ellas manifestaron haberse
enfermado en el momento de las fumigaciones con los síntomas descritos anteriormente:
Problemas de ojos, respiratorios, digestivos y cutáneos. De este grupo de 45 personas, 5
buscaron atención médica (11.1%), mientras que el resto se atendió con agua de hierbas.

De este grupo destaca la muerte de la niña de la comunidad Reina del Cisne, cuya

identidad se debe preservar según disposiciones del Código de Menores. Asimismo se
reportó el nacimiento de dos niños con malformaciones: una bebita de 3 meses de edad
con lesiones neurológicas importantes y pérdida de reflejos, que necesita valoración, y un
bebé de 1 mes de edad, con “malformación” de las piernas, quien no estaba en el
momento de la visita porque lo habían trasladado al Hospital de Lago Agrio. Dos
semanas más tarde, cuando miembros de la Comisión se desplazaron a recoger la carta

de denuncia que hizo la comunidad (ver anexo), se les comunicó que el día 30 de julio
fallecía a la edad de 1 mes y 25 días otro niño (el quinto fallecimiento). En la comunidad
la señora Rosario Tanguila está embarazada de 8 meses y recibió las fumigaciones como
las otras dos madres. Hay que estar pendiente del nacimiento de ese niño y de una
evaluación del mismo.

La población manifestó que los shamanes se han tenido que ir de la comunidad, pues las
plantas con las que sanaban están contaminadas y con ellas no se puede curar. El
impacto cultural por las fumigaciones para esta comunidad ha sido enorme.

El dirigente de la FEINCE 11, Toribio Aguinda, mientras se recababa, dos semanas

después del recorrido, la información escrita confirmó que su pueblo Cofán ha sufrido los
impactos de la fumigación en San Antonio, Río Guamués, Santa Rosa de Sucumbíos y
Yarinal en el río San Miguel. Esta Comuna, Yarinal, sobre territorio colombiano, ha
desaparecido. Cinco familias se desplazaron a Lago Agrio y 10 a Chandia Na´en,
después de que tras las fumigaciones murieran 3 niños, uno de 6 años y dos de 9, y
aparecieran enfermedades desconocidas con: “intensa tos, granos por toda la piel y

hasta en la boca”.

11FEINCE: Federación Indígena de la Nacionalidad Cofán del Ecuador

13ANNEX 162

5.1.3. CHEQUEOS MÉDICOS

En la visita a esta comunidad (San Francisco 2), además del trabajo de las entrevistas, se
revisó el estado de salud de los niños. Tras revisar a 17 de ellos en edades comprendidas
entre los 3 meses y los 6 años, se llegó a los siguientes diagnósticos de sospecha:

DIAGNÓSTICO DE SOSPECHA No. de CASOS
Parasitosis 14
Anemia 8
Catarro 6
Piodermitis 5
Conjuntivitis 4

Retraso Psicomotor 2
Hepatomegalia 2
Trastornos neurológicos 1
Gastroenteritis 1
Hongos 1
Sangrado Vaginal 1

Se pudo comprobar que todos los niños estaban enfermos con una media de 3.1
enfermedades por persona, una moda de 1 y un rango de 1-6 enfermedades por niño.

Analizando los reportes de las diez primeras causas de enfermedad del Subcentro de
Salud de General Farfán, a cuyo nivel de influencia pertenece San Francisco 2, se
encontró que las tres primeras causas de enfermedad de la población seguían siendo las
infecciones respiratorias, que aumentaron de enero a junio del 2001 en un 42% (de 206 a
293 casos) con respecto al mismo periodo del año anterior; las infecciones de piel

aumentaron en un 48% con respecto al 2000 (de 147 a 218) y el paludismo aumentó en
un 33% (de 111 a 148).

El doctor del subcentro manifestó que el impacto de las fumigaciones se notó
considerablemente más en el mes de enero y que, de repente, se respiraba el químico y

hubo numerosos casos de rinitis y de irritación a los ojos que no quedaron contabilizados.

Un suboficial del ‘Destacamento Teniente Molina’ en la Parroquia General Farfán, que
solicitó no ser mencionado, manifestó que “todo el destacamento se enfermó con
dolores de cabeza cuando fueron las fumigaciones”

5.1.4. OBSERVACIÓN DE CULTIVOS Y ANIMALES

En las zonas de frontera, donde realizamos el recorrido, se tienen las siguientes
características:

CLIMATOLOGÍA
- Temperatura: La media anual de la provincia es de 26 grados C. Temperatura mínima

18 grados C. y máxima de 35 grados C.

14 ANNEX 162

- Precipitación: La media anual es de 3.729 mm. Precipitación mínima es de 2.000 mm.
y la máxima 6.000 mm. anuales. El mes de mayor precipitación es Abril con 938 mm.
el de menor precipitación es agosto con 232 mm.
- La humedad relativa está entre 80 – 90%.

- Heliofania. Tiene de 2.5 – 3 horas de sol por día promedio anual

SUELOS Y USO POTENCIAL
Los suelos existentes en la zona son Dystropepts (rojos). Typic Distrandepts(pardos).
Hidrandepts y Tropaquepts.
Según el Programa Nacional de Regionalización (PRONAREG) para los suelos de la

región se recomienda el manejo integral agrosilvo-pastoril o uso forestal controlado,
protección, reservas ecológicas y de vida silvestre, fomento de cultivos verticalmente
estratificados así como la rotación de cultivos.

ISIOGRAFÍA

De acuerdo al Mapa Morfo-Edafológico la provincia de Sucumbíos en la parte colindante
con Colombia presenta una fisiografía con pendientes variables inferiores al 50% a colinas
redondeadas en su mayor parte.

La comunidad reportó que las lluvias en esta zona han ido regulares, como todos los
años, y que la causa del mal de sus cultivos ha sido las fumigaciones en el lado
colombiano de la frontera, realizadas en horas imprevistas y a una altura no moderada por

la topología del terreno, la vegetación del bosque húmedo y el peligro de artillería. La
deriva del viento provocó que el químico de las fumigaciones cause impactos en el
territorio ecuatoriano, produciendo los siguientes efectos:

ANIMALES

x En los animales los campesinos refieren haber tenido numerosas pérdidas en aves,
vacas que abortaron en el momento de las fumigaciones, muertes de chanchos,
perros, gatos, etc.
x Hay que destacar la coincidencia de que algunas personas manifestaron haber
encontrado en la montaña cercana a las zonas de fumigaciones numerosos animales
de selva muertos, sin ser alimento para otros, sólo pudriéndose. Todavía se siguen

encontrando.

PRODUCTOS AGRÍCOLAS Y FORESTALES
El 100% de los presentes manifestaron que a partir de enero y durante el presente año
han tenido problemas en los siguientes cultivos: café, arroz, banano o plátano, yuca,

cítricos y pastos. Así mismo los presentes manifestaron que en las plantas, las hojas,
comienzan a perder su color verde (decoloración), se produce un amarillamiento (clorosis)
y las plantas mueren o ya no producen.

Los campesinos de la zona manifiestan que la aguabilla o guaba roja (un árbol del
bosque) ya no floreció ni fructificó en este año y es el alimento principal de la guanta,
guatuso y otros animales de la montaña, por lo que existe una grave preocupación.

Con cuatro miembros de la comunidad, cuatro agrónomos del FEPP e ISAMIS, se realizó
un recorrido para verificar en campo, las afirmaciones realizadas en la asamblea, y
pudimos apreciar:

15ANNEX 162

En CAFÉ los cultivos presentan una alteración del color verde de las hojas, con un
amarillamiento de la nervadura central, luego una clorosis (amarillamiento) total y
aparecimiento de manchas de color café en las puntas y bordes de las hojas y un

marchitamiento total de la planta. Manifestaron que las flores se caen y los frutos se
necrosan y no hay producción de semilla. En la base del tallo se puede observar el inicio
de una pudrición. Este cultivo tenía tres años de edad. Se han vuelto susceptibles al
ataque de enfermedades tanto del follaje como del tallo y raíces.

En YUCA se observó un amarillamiento de las hojas y en la raíz o parte comestible. Al

realizar un corte transversal se nota un halo de color pardo obscuro, cerca de la corteza,
la misma que está aparentemente sana. Estas raíces tienen una consistencia esponjosa
o ‘balzosa’, como decían los indígenas, e insípida, que prácticamente no les sirve para
comer ni para la elaboración de la chicha.

En PLATANO se pudo observar un marchitamiento de las hojas bajeras de la planta

madre y en los tallos de los hijuelos. Los campesinos manifiestan que se ha frenado el
crecimiento de la planta. Al realizar un corte transversal se observó un necrosamiento de
los haces liberoleñosos o tejidos conductores que impide el transporte de la savia.
Mientras el corte se lo realizaba más cerca de la raíz, este necrosamiento era más
notorio. De igual manera la gente está procediendo a cortar las plantas.

En ARROZ : hay un amarillamiento que ha reducido notablemente la cosecha. Se verificó

una parcela de tres meses. A simple vista se pudo observar una decoloración en toda la
planta e inicio de enfermedades, el tamaño es inferior a lo normal y el dueño del lote
manifestó que ya no realizará ninguna labor al cultivo porque ya no tendrá producción.

En PASTOS se pudo observar una decoloración o amarillamiento que comienza desde las
puntas y los bordes de las hojas, y posteriormente toda la planta se seca y muere.

OTROS
En lo referente al agua afirmaron que cuando hervían este líquido, en el fondo de los
recipientes (ollas) quedaba una mancha de color café como oxidada.

Sobre el aire comentaron que, luego del sobrevuelo de las avionetas fumigadoras, el cielo
se llenaba de una nube gris, lo que producía ardor en los ojos, secamiento de los labios y
picazón de la nariz.

5.2. RECORRIDO EN ESMERALDAS (julio 20 y 21)

5.2.1. TESTIMONIO DE LAS ORGANIZACIONES

Mientras se preparaba el recorrido para el día siguiente a Mataje, algunos de los
participantes en la reunión de Gobernación manifestaron:

“Trabajo más de 9 años con este herbicida en el banano y he podido comprobar como los

trabajadores sufren fuertes problemas a la piel(Patricio García)

“En Mataje se han dado graves problemas de piel y hasta cardíacos por las fumigaciones,
en Hoja de Plátano igual,... pero ¿donde podemos hacer una protesta? ¿A las autoridades?
¿A las ONGs?... Sólo nos queda aguantar”. (participante)

16 ANNEX 162

5.2.2.TESTIMONIOS DE LA COMUNIDAD DE MATAJE

“Cuando comenzaron a fumigar en Colombia, aquí nos cayó una epidemia de granos y ojos
rojos. Se tomaron muestras de agua, pero nunca volvieron a darnos los resultados.
Estamos preocupados porque ayer y esta mañana aparecieron avionetas de fumigación
sobrevolando esta zona (sobre territorio ecuatoriano)” (Johny Segura, vicepresidente de la

comunidad)

“Nunca tuvimos una epidemia como la de octubre del 2000. Yo soy nativa de este lugar y
jamás vimos algo parecido. Sólo el paludismo, pero esta vez a los niños se le hincharon las
vistas, tuvieron dolores de barriga y cabeza y el plantel educativo los mandaba a la casa por
las diarreas. Duró como 8 días, y nos dijeron que igual era por las palmeras o por las
fumigaciones, pero nunca supimos, se hicieron análisis, pero no dieron los resultados.”

(Beatriz Arroyo, primera líder de la parroquia)

“A fines de septiembre y principios de octubre se enfermaron, en 8 días, 16 niños y 12
adultos. Presentaron: vómitos, diarrea, erupción de piel (se ponía roja, con granos y
‘charras’), dolores de cabeza, irritación de ojos y fiebre alta. Después empezaron a
enfermarse los adultos. Tuve que dar antibióticos porque las diarreas y las infecciones

respiratorias eran muy intensas. Lo que me preocupó es que con las denuncias que hicimos
la prensa llegó hasta este lugar, pero en el MSP nadie se ha condolido de lo que aquí pasó.
Para una epidemia como esta nadie ayudó y nadie vino a ver que pasaba”.
“Para mi no cabe duda que fue la fumigación, no fueron las palmeras. Cuando murieron los
peces fue unas semanas después de lo que pasó aquí y fue más abajo. ¿Fue una
coincidencia que comenzaron las fumigaciones y enseguida nos enfermamos?. Este río es
un afluente del Río Mira. Desde aquí se escuchaban las avionetas, pero nunca vimos
fumigar. Al parecer los militares y la Cruz Roja tomaron muestras, pero nunca nos
informaron de los resultados. El daño venía del río, porque los animales no se enfermaron,

no toman ese agua. Dejamos de tomar el agua del río por el de una vertiente y se paró la
afección. El viento aquí siempre sopla para Colombia, porque estamos cerca del mar.”
(María Cevallos, auxiliar de enfermería de Mataje)

La comunidad manifestó que toda la población se enfermó con picor en los ojos, y que

muchas personas no se atendieron en el subcentro porque no daban allá abasto, pero
que estuvieron enfermas. De igual manera, esto se dio en Las Delicias, Corriente Larga y
Boca de Chanul.

Las afecciones oculares presentaban irritación y enrojecimiento sin secreción purulenta.
Los vómitos y diarreas eran muy líquidos, sin sangre y se dieron antibióticos para el
tratamiento. La afección respiratoria presentaba tos seca, irritativa, con agitación para
respirar, sin llegar a ser asma. Los problemas de piel no se correspondían con

enfermedad propia de niños, eran granos como “charras” que curaron con alcohol y
garamicina.

“Era verano, el río estaba bajo y la contaminación fue grande. Jamás pasó aquí nada en 17
años, pero no nos llegó ninguna autoridad a ver lo que pasó. Por eso estamos
preocupados. Sabemos que el agua del Río Mira nos contamina y justo acaban de empezar

a fumigar otra vez”.(María Cevallos, auxiliar)

Desde entonces hasta hoy han nacido 8 niños, ninguno ha presentado alteración alguna.

17ANNEX 162

Una trabajadora de las palmicultoras, Tania Castillo, nos confirmó que las fumigaciones
de la palma se hacen con bomba, no con avioneta, y que la vertiente a la que drena el

agua de estos cultivos es río abajo, posterior a Mataje.

5.2.3.ENTREVISTA AL PERSONAL DEL HOSPITAL

“No tenemos reportados gente intoxicada por las fumigaciones, lo de Mataje no sabemos
porque habrá sido. Recibimos reportes de colaboradores voluntarios donde indican la

presencia de IRA (Infecciones Respiratorias Agudas), pero no nos dicen si es por
fumigaciones. Se debería hacer una investigación.” (Dr. Dueñas, epidemiólogo)

“En octubre tuvimos un gran número de niños con conjuntivitis, lesiones de piel, y
problemas respiratorios y diarreicos. Se atribuyó a los insecticidas de las palmicultoras,
pero no disponemos de nada para trabajar y averiguar. Somos sólo tres médicos tratantes y
hemos tenido que traer a los médicos rurales para que atiendan en el hospital porque en sus

localizaciones estaban desaprovechados. Hay unas brigadas que suelen salir para hacer
recorridos, pero no fueron hasta allá.”Dr. Merino)

“En caso de emergencia epidemiológica los auxiliares son los que nos informan de cambios
o circunstancias en la salud y nosotros nos desplazamos para tomar muestras. La unidad
atiende en la medida de sus posibilidades, es hospital de agudos, que no puede mantener
enfermos más allá de dos días. Cuando tuvimos conocimiento fuimos, pero no pudimos
hacer muestras. Denunciamos, pero ahí quedó, no vino nadie a averiguar, ni siquiera el

MAG que es quien debe controlar a las palmicultoras. Quien sí vino es la Cruz Roja, que
realizó muestras, e investigadores de los canales de TV.”(Dr. Dueñas)

“Nuestra vigilancia epidemiológica no nos permite darle seguimiento a todo esto. Tenemos
un laboratorio de análisis básico y en Mataje no tenemos cómo reponer el foco del
microscopio que se fundió hace meses. Además, la falta de personal es grande. Los
médicos que residimos somos naturales de aquí, pero todos los que vienen se han ido a

Colombia, a Tumaco, donde ganan al mes 1.200 dólares”. (Dr. Merino)

“Las itinerancias las hacemos cada dos meses para dar atención a la población, pero son
poco efectivas. Suelen ir un médico (vacunaciones), odontólogo (sólo extracciones),
obstetriz y auxiliar, pero nuestras cifras de atención de salud primaria son muy bajas.(Dr.
Dueñas)

6.- ANÁLISIS.

6.1. SEGURIDAD DE LA POBLACIÓN EN LA FRONTERA

Las poblaciones de frontera en la región Amazónica son poblaciones en situación de
extrema vulnerabilidad debido a los impactos ambientales de la actividad petrolera y a la
marginación económica y política, lo que aumenta la violencia social en la zona. La

presencia de las fumigaciones es un elemento más de distorsión en la zona, situación que
demanda acciones urgentes y decisiones políticas inmediatas.

Tras las fumigaciones, su impacto en la salud y las pérdidas de cultivos, la población ha

tenido que migrar provocando problemas comunitarios, la desestructuración familiar y el
aparecimiento de desplazados internos.

18 ANNEX 162

El grupo de población está abandonando sus tierras lo que constituye un riesgo para el
ejercicio de la soberanía del país. En el caso de los pueblos indígenas el abandono de
sus territorios y tierras supone además un grave conflicto de identidad cultural que
amenaza a su misma condición de nacionalidades y pueblos.

Por otra parte, la soberanía del país está amenazada tanto por la contaminación
transfronteriza, como por la presencia de acciones en territorio nacional. De hecho
existen testimonios que revelan que las avionetas encargadas de realizar las
fumigaciones aéreas hicieron sobrevuelo sobre territorio nacional fronterizo a Colombia.

El estado de zozobra y abandono ante una nueva fumigación como las que están

anunciadas en la zona para los meses de julio-agosto, somete a la población a una gran
tensión. En Mataje el sobrevuelo de avionetas generó también la población una gran
preocupación.

6.2. VIGILANCIAEPIDEMIOLÓGICA

La capacidad institucional en la frontera para enfrentar conflictos de salud como los

provocados por las fumigaciones es débil. En ninguno de los lugares visitados se ha
realizado vigilancia epidemiológica por parte de las instituciones responsables, en unos
casos argumentando que se trata de zonas de riesgo por la violencia, y en otros por falta
de personal y recursos.

El trabajo de investigación se le ha dejado a la prensa o a esfuerzos dispersos de otros
investigadores. No ha habido coordinación ni un buen manejo de la información e incluso

ocultamiento de la misma. Un ejemplo de esto es la posición de la Cruz Roja
Ecuatoriana. Mientras el director del Hospital de San Lorenzo manifestaba que la Cruz
Roja había tomado muestras de agua del Río Mataje, el Dr. Francisco Cevallos –Director
Nacional de Salud de la Cruz Roja - en comunicación telefónica dijo que sólo fueron a
hacer un diagnóstico comunitario con análisis de aguas, pero sin relación con las
denuncias por las fumigaciones. Dos días después, no obstante, en carta fechada el 27
de julio (ver anexo) manifiesta “no hemos realizado ningún estudio”. De igual manera,

aunque la comunidad de San Francisco 2 aplaudía que era la única institución que se
había presentado, el Dr. Cevallos en la misma carta manifiesta que: “En cuanto a la
Comuna de San Francisco 2, tampoco hemos realizado visitas y mal podemos dar informe
sobre lo que solicitan (...) en honor a la verdad”.

En el caso de que dichos estudios hayan sido realizados, la población carece de

información de los resultados de los estudios. En ningún momento fueron alertados de
los riesgos de las fumigaciones ni tampoco han sido tratados de sus afecciones por
personal médico que se haya presentado a la zona.

No hay claridad sobre las responsabilidades institucionales frente a este estado de
emergencia. Unos descargan en otros las responsabilidades, sometiendo a la población a
condiciones de abandono.

6.3. SITUACIÓN DE SALUD EN LA FRONTERA

Basados en los testimonios, entrevistas y diagnósticos médicos, se puede afirmar que
existe un estado crítico en la salud caracterizado por un incremento en el momento de las
fumigaciones de:

19ANNEX 162

- irritaciones graves de ojos (conjuntivitis)
- irritaciones de piel (abscesos, impétigo)
- afecciones gastrointestinales (dolor abdominal, diarrea, náuseas, vómito)

- infecciones respiratorias agudas (bronquitis, gripe, asma)
- la persistencia por cuatro meses, en Sucumbíos, de esta sintomatología,
especialmente en la piel.

La situación de salud ha impactado especialmente a los niños. Es una grave coincidencia
el fallecimiento de cuatro niños menores de un año a principios de enero, cuando se
dieron las fumigaciones y un quinto el 30 de julio. En las zonas referidas no habían

fallecido niños de esa edad en los dos últimos años, según testimonio del presidente de la
Comunidad San Francisco.

En la comunidad de San Francisco 2 se reportó el nacimiento de dos niños con
malformaciones, a quienes se deberá realizar un seguimiento con el fin de determinar la
relación de estas malformaciones con las fumigaciones aéreas. Es necesario también
realizar un seguimiento de las madres embarazadas con el fin de determinar el posible

impacto en la salud de sus niños al nacer.

De igual manera, los niños en edad escolar sufrieron afecciones durante las fumigaciones
(diciembre – marzo) que determinaron la suspensión de clases en las dos comunidades
visitadas. De acuerdo a testimonios de las organizaciones entrevistadas las escuelas de
las comunidades San Francisco 1, con 25 alumnos, Nuevo Mundo, con 58, se vieron
obligadas a suspender sus actividades.

Todos los actores coinciden en afirmar que la causa de las enfermedades son las
fumigaciones. Por otra parte, esta sintomatología coincide con las observaciones del
personal médico de hospitales del sur de Colombia, quienes refieren que, a partir del
inicio de las fumigaciones, se observó un notorio incremento de estas afecciones. Según
Elsa Nivia, integrante de la comisión, y la literatura científica sobre efectos del Round Up,
a esta sustancia se añade nuevos coadyuvantes para formar Roundup Ultra, que es el

compuesto químico utilizado en las fumigaciones.

Las fechas de aparición de las enfermedades coinciden con las de las fumigaciones al
otro lado de la frontera. Habitantes de la zona, que han vivido en el lugar por años,
reportan que ésta es la primera vez que ocurre algo parecido en la zona.

Los signos y síntomas coinciden en diferentes y distantes zonas de la frontera, donde se
ha fumigado al otro lado. En la comunidad San Francisco 2, que está a dos kilómetros de
la frontera donde se fumigó en territorio colombiano, la totalidad de la población reportó
haber tenido síntomas de intoxicación aguda lo que COINCIDE con lo informado por Elsa
Nivia en el Valle de Guamués y San Miguel en donde las Personerías de esos municipios,
recogieron 1443 quejas interpuestas por cabezas de familia quienes manifestaron que
uno o varios de sus miembros fueron afectados por síntomas o daños a la salud que

atribuían a las fumigaciones.

20 ANNEX 162

6.4. SITUACIÓN DE LAS ECONOMÍAS DE SUBSISTENCIA

La Comisión pudo observar el estado de los cultivos de las poblaciones de las
comunidades visitadas, y en base a los testimonios y entrevistas, fue notorio el estado

crítico de la producción agrícola y pecuaria en la zona.

La aplicación del herbicida ROUND UP ULTRA contiene glifosato y los surfactantes POEA
y Cosmoflux 411. Las fumigaciones por vía aérea a través de avionetas en Colombia,
tienen que realizarse desde alturas no normales por las características geopolíticas de la
región (zona de guerra), y se lo está realizando en territorio colombiano al otro lado del río
San Miguel (200 m de ancho aproximadamente).

Es muy fácil que por deriva (arrastre por el viento) las partículas del agrotóxico sean
transportadas lejos del área de tratamiento y, en este caso, el herbicida no solo llegó a la
parte deseada, sino que pasó la frontera a territorio ecuatoriano.

Las recomendaciones de la etiqueta del producto y del manual técnico del ROUND UP
señala: “cantidades mínimas de este herbicida pueden causar daños severos o

destrucción de cultivos, plantas u otras áreas hacia las cuales no estaba dirigido el
tratamiento (...) Evite el contacto con las hojas y partes verdes del tallo de las plantas
deseables. Evite la contaminación de semillas y alimentos de consumo humano o animal
manténgase fuera del alcance de los niños”. ( Instrucciones de Uso Roundup Marca
Registrada de Monsanto Company St Louis, Missouri 63166 U.S.A.)

En Ecuador la advertencia de la etiqueta del Roundup dice: “mortal si se ingiere, tóxico si

se inhala, y peligroso en contacto con la piel”

Los cultivos del café, cacao, plátano, arroz, yuca, frutales,... indiscriminadamente
coinciden estar afectados por los mismos signos y síntomas: un amarillamiento
generalizado y la pérdida de la producción. Esta decoloración-clorosis o amarillamiento
del sistema foliar se sigue de manchas de color café desde el ápice (punta) y los bordes y
el marchitamiento total de la planta.

Otra coincidencia es que en todos los cultivos el sistema radicular (raíces) de las plantas
también presentan sintomatología de necrosamiento y pudrición.

Estas características tienen que ver principalmente con procesos fisiológicos y de
fitotoxicidad. Según la literatura “científica” explicada por los productores del ROUNDUP

este herbicida actúa inhibiendo (impidiendo) la síntesis de proteínas (procesos fisiológicos
de las plantas) y produciendo fitotoxicidad en las mismas. Las plantas sin producción de
proteínas, necesariamente serán plantas débiles, estresadas y susceptibles a cualquier
tipo de plagas y enfermedades.

Esta situación coincide con la información otorgada por Elsa Nivia, quien afirma que se
trata de un herbicida de amplio espectro absorbido por las hojas. De igual manera que

bastan dosis subletales de glifosato para incrementar la susceptibilidad de algunas
plantas a enfermedades ocasionadas por hongos. Puede inhibir hongos benéficos que
ayudan a las plantas a absorber nutrientes y agua, y puede interferir en sus procesos
metabólicos.

21ANNEX 162

Los campesinos e indígenas de la zona han aseverado que este es el primer año que
tienen este tipo de problemas de una manera generalizada y que coinciden luego de las
fumigaciones en el vecino país de Colombia.

En el café, el cual había florecido de manera abundante antes de las fumigaciones, lo que
hacía prever una gran cosecha, los frutos abortaron. Este proceso coincide con la fecha
de las fumigaciones.

Los impactos de las fumigaciones sobre los cultivos han provocado la disminución
extrema de las cosechas; esto junto con la pérdida de animales de crianza, son pérdidas
irrecuperables dada la situación de marginalidad económica de las poblaciones de

frontera. Las instituciones crediticias de la zona no han podido recuperar los créditos
dada la situación agrícola, lo cual genera desconfianza para nuevos créditos y para
nuevos cultivos en zonas en donde no se sabe cuánto tiempo perdurarán los impactos por
las fumigaciones y, peor aún, los impactos en caso de que éstas se repitieran.

Esta situación implica una amenaza de hambruna en las poblaciones de la frontera.

6.5. SITUACIÓN DE LAS POBLACIONES INDÍGENAS

En la zona de frontera existen numerosas comunidades indígenas que, al igual que San
Francisco 2, estarían sufriendo impactos por las fumigaciones.

La salida de los shamanes de la comunidad S. Francisco 2 es una clara muestra de

impacto cultural en comunidades de frontera. Los shamanes han salido de sus
comunidades por reconocer la pérdida de sus poderes debido a la destrucción de las
plantas y por la presencia de una actividad externa tan agresiva como son las
fumigaciones.

Los pueblos indígenas viven estrechamente ligados a la biodiversidad. La disminución de
la biodiversidad como la destrucción de las plantas provoca efectos en la salud,

alimentación y prácticas culturales.

Los indígenas cofanes, kichwas y shuar del Ecuador presentan amenazas comunes a
aquellas reportadas en los territorios indígenas de las nacionalidades Cofanes, Awas,
Huitotos, Ingas, Bora, Cocainas, Pastos, Coreguajes, Miraná, que han visto violentados
sus derechos colectivos por las fumigaciones indiscriminadas sobre sus territorios en

Colombia. La integridad del territorio y la posibilidades de permanecer en él son
condiciones básicas para vivir como pueblos.

7.- CONCLUSIONES.

7.1. INSEGURIDAD DE LA POBLACIÓN Y DE LA FRONTERA

Las fumigaciones están provocando situaciones de inseguridad y miedo en las
poblaciones de la frontera. Están, además, poniendo en riesgo la seguridad de la misma
ya que debido a las migraciones, las zonas podrían quedar abandonadas, perdiéndose la
existencia de fronteras vivas que garantizan la integridad y soberanía nacional.

22 ANNEX 162

7.2. CARENCIA DE VIGILANCIA EPIDEMIOLÓGICA

En las zonas de frontera no hay una adecuada vigilancia epidemiológica que permita a la
población enfrentar situaciones de crisis como las que se derivan de las fumigaciones.
Las zonas de frontera han acumulado problemas debido a que la marginación y abandono

estatales lo que las hace particularmente vulnerables.

7.3. EMERGENCIA SANITARIA

No puede ser coincidencia el aumento del número e intensidad de síntomas ligadas a las
fechas y lugares de las fumigaciones. Puede afirmarse que las fumigaciones han
provocado una situación de emergencia sanitaria que debe ser enfrentada con urgencia.

7.4. AMENAZA DE HAMBRUNA

Las fumigaciones han provocado la destrucción de cultivos. La afectación de los cultivos
y de las economías de subsistencia puede traer como consecuencia la hambruna de las
poblaciones de frontera, pues éstas dependen de su actividad agrícola.

7.5. CONTAMINACION TRANSFRONTERIZA

Existe suficiente evidencia de contaminación de agentes químicos debido a las
fumigaciones aéreas en Colombia. El glifosato si es dañino a la salud y el medio
ambiente y la literatura científica especializada (Williams, Kroes y Munro, 2000), afirman
que no son pertinentes las afirmaciones de inocuidad del glifosato

El Convenio de Diversidad Biológica, establece como principio el derecho soberano de
los Estados Partes de explotar sus propios recursos y la obligación de asegurar que las

actividades que se lleven a cabo dentro de su jurisdicción o bajo su control, no
perjudiquen al medio de los otros Estados o de zonas situadas fuera de toda jurisdicción
nacional (art. 3 C.D.B)

“Las normas contenidas en los tratados y convenios internacionales una vez promulgados
en el Registro Oficial, formarán parte del ordenamiento jurídico de la República y

prevalecerán sobre leyes y otras normas de menor jerarquía” (art.163. C.P.E)

“Los derechos y garantías determinados en esta Constitución y en los instrumentos
internacionales vigentes, serán directa e inmediatamente aplicables por y ante cualquier
juez, tribunal o autoridad “ (art. 18.C.P.E)

7.6. URGENCIA DE PREVENCION

Los testimonios recogidos son base suficiente para fundamentar la existencia de impactos
ambientales, y a la salud humana y para demandar acciones de restauración ambiental,
mitigación de los impactos, recuperación de las áreas intervenidas y la recuperación de la
capacidad de sustentación de las poblaciones locales

23ANNEX 162

7.7. VIOLACIONES A LOS DERECHOS COLECTIVOS INDÍGENAS

Las nacionalidades y pueblos indígenas son particularmente vulnerables, pues las

fumigaciones afectan las bases de su cultura. El etnocidio ya ha comenzado con la
destrucción de la biodiversidad y el desplazamiento forzado de sus territorios.

Algunos derechos colectivos de los Pueblos Indígenas, reconocidos en el Convenio 169
de la OIT, han sido desconocidos, “ No deberá emplearse ninguna forma de fuerza o de
coerción que viole los derechos humanos y las libertades fundamentales de los pueblos
interesados, incluidos los derechos contenidos en el presente convenio” (art. 3), “Deberán

adoptarse las medidas especiales que se precisen para salvaguardar las personas, las
instituciones, los bienes, el trabajo, las culturas y el medio ambiente de los pueblos
interesados” (art. 4, numeral 1), “los gobiernos deberán tomar medidas, en cooperación
con los pueblos interesados, para proteger el medio ambiente de los territorios que
habitan” (art 7, numeral 4)

7.8. DERECHO A INDEMNIZACIONES Y REPARACIONES

La Comisión durante su visita de inspección a zonas de frontera ha podido constatar
daños evidentes a la salud humana y animal, y al medio ambiente, provocados por las
fumigaciones aéreas con agentes químicos, por parte de las autoridades colombianas, por
lo que amerita solicitar indemnizaciones y reparaciones al Gobierno colombiano por los
efectos e impactos de las mismas.

24 ANNEX 162

RECOMENDACIONES DE LAS ORGANIZACIONES INDÍGENAS,

CAMPESINAS Y SOCIALES

Las Organizaciones Indígenas Campesinas y Sociales, basadas en el Informe Técnico de

la Comisión Internacional sobre los impactos en territorio ecuatoriano de las fumigaciones
aéreas en Colombia, presentan al gobierno nacional las siguientes recomendaciones:

9. Que el gobierno nacional cumpla con los acuerdos establecidos en la Mesa de
Diálogo, en particular la solicitud dirigida al Gobierno Colombiano para que suspenda
inmediatamente las fumigaciones aéreas en las zonas de frontera, y proceda a las
indemnizaciones respectivas.

10.Acoger el informe preparado por la Comisión Técnica Internacional, y dar solución
inmediata a las conclusiones a las que el informe llega, para lo cual, las
Organizaciones Indígenas, Campesinas y Sociales se mantendrán vigilantes de su
cumplimiento.

11. plicar en su política internacional el PRINCIPIO CONSTITUCIONAL DE

PRECAUCION, a fin de preservar los derechos humanos de las nacionalidades y
Pueblos Indígenas y pobladores de las zonas de frontera, el medio ambiente y la
salud humana.

Este principio está consagrado en la Constitución Política del Estado Ecuatoriano “El
Estado tomará medidas preventivas, en caso de dudas, sobre el impacto o las
consecuencias ambientales negativas de alguna acción u omisión, aunque no exista
evidencia científica de daño” (art.91).

12.Que el Estado Ecuatoriano proceda a indemnizar a las poblaciones afectadas con el
propósito de garantizar su supervivencia y su seguridad alimentarias y reparar los
daños ambientales ocasionados por las fumigaciones

13.Todos los esfuerzos nuevos de investigación deberán dirigirse a la mitigación de los
impactos, la recuperación de las áreas intervenidas y la recuperación de la capacidad

de sustentación de las poblaciones locales

14.Instar a los medios de comunicación y a los funcionarios públicos que actúen con
transparencia en la difusión de información, y solicitar que se abstengan de construir
imágenes de seguridad o inocuidad del glifosato, debido a que existe literatura
científica suficiente que demuestra la peligrosidad y toxicidad del mismo.

El Código de Conducta de la FAO sobre Distribución y Uso de plaguicidas recomienda

en su artículo 11, sobre la publicidad, que se eviten palabras que despierten la
confianza en los tóxicos. Se debería amonestar a aquellos funcionarios que aseveran
que el uso del glifosato es menos dañino que la sal, la nicotina o la vitamina A, pues
se está fumigando con Round Up Ultra, que lleva sustancias que al mezclarlas le
hacen más tóxico y porque las fumigaciones se hacen a un porcentaje 26 veces más

25ANNEX 162

alto que el permitido por la EPA ( Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los Estados
Unidos) para usos agrícolas.

De igual forma, las leyes nacionales sancionan la publicidad engañosa, “Quedan
prohibidas todas las formas de publicidad engañosa o abusiva, que induzca a error en
la elección del bien o servicio que puedan afectar los intereses y derechos del
consumidor” (art.6 Ley Orgánica de Defensa del Consumidor)

15.De igual manera, instamos a que los medios de comunicación y funcionarios públicos
se abstengan de descalificar a la población afectada, argumentando que buscan
obtener provecho de sus denuncias. Los Pueblos Indígenas y Comunidades
Campesinas, que habitan en las zonas fronterizas, son víctimas inocentes de esta
injustificada regionalización del conflicto armado colombiano.

16.Crear una comisión de vigilancia o un sistema de monitoreo, con la participación de
instituciones públicas, organizaciones sociales y gobiernos locales, a fin de vigilar las
zonas de frontera para estar atentos a acciones que se hagan en el país vecino que
afecten el medio ambiente y la calidad de vida de los ecuatorianos.

26 ANNEX 163

Republic of Ecuador, Ministry of Environment,

Joint Report from the Workshop: Eradication of Illicit Crops, Bogotá, Colombia
(13-15 Feb. 2002) ANNEX 163

[logo] [handwritten:] draft 6 March 2002
Ministry of the Environment
Republic of Ecuador

JOINT REPORT ON THE SEMINAR-WORKSHOP
“ERADICATION OF ILLICIT CROPS”
BOGOTÁ-COLOMBIA, 13-15 February 2002

[Engineer] Melania Yánez Quezada
Ministry of the Environment / Technical Coordinator of the Delegation

[…]

We can categorically conclude that it cannot be assured that the aerial
sprayings with the chemical formulations employed do not carry risks for

the ecosystem, Colombia shares Ecuador’s belief in the fact that studies on
the short- and long-term effects on water, soil, flora and fauna are lacking.

[…]

Although in the last four months Colombia has made major efforts to improve its

Program, however, and verbally, it has been assured to us that they are

[PAGE 2]

leaving a safety margin of 8 to 10 kilometres from the San Miguel River, the
international boundary, within Colombian territory , that declaration should
be officially requested through the Foreign Ministry. Moreover, it is important to
mention our support for the strengthening and promotion of the National Program

for Alternative Development and the manual eradication projects, especially in
the Provinces bordering our territory.

[…]

The Colombians and the North Americans are conscious of and agree with
Ecuador in that there is a lack of objective and impartial scientific research to
study the short- and long-term impacts to the environment and to health, as well

as the chemical formulations used to eliminate illicit crops, and those chemicals
used in the cultivation and processing of the same. With the aim at strengthening
the spirit of bilateral cooperation and collaborating with Colombia in the research,ANNEX 163

surveillance, evaluation and monitoring, as well as to protect the interest of
Ecuador, it is recommended that sources of financing for the implementation of

a System of Surveillance and Monitoring for the Environment and Health in
the border areas of Carchi, Esmeraldas and Sucumbíos, as well as for socio-
economic development projects that create disincentives for planting coca,
marijuana or poppy crops in Ecuadorian territory, be identified.

[…]
[PAGE 10]

[…]

14. In the presentation made by Doctor Parra on impacts on the environment,
he stated that the commercial formulation CURRENTLY used to

eradicate coca crops is Roundup Ultra with Cosmoflux. In the future
they will use Roundup SL, which, according to him, has no difference
with Roundup Ultra. The volume used is 10.4 liters/hectare; the volume
of the surfactant is 0.24 litres/hectare and 13.2 litres of water for a mixture
of 23.6 liters. Comparatively, 1.5 litres/hectare is used for the aerial

application on sugarcane.

In the case of formulations used by the Colombian Government, there are
certifications from the FAO indicating that the impurit(1.4 Dioxane)

are below the standard norms. However, it should be emphasized that the
speaker DID NOT RESPOND AS TO WHETHER IMPURITY
CONTROLS ARE CONDUCTED.

Parra added that Cosmoflux is used as surfactant in order to enhance the
effectiveness or rapid translocation of the product and, that is its function
in the mixture; and, it is not to increase the toxicity since the product does
not produce synergy with glyphosate. Nonetheless, he did accept that

COSMOLFULX WILL NO LONGER BE USED SINCE THE
BRITISH COMPANY ICI, WHICH PROVIDED INPUTS FOR
THEM, HAS REFUSED TO CONTINUE TO DO BUSINESS WITH
COLOMBIA (BECAUSE IT DOES NOT WANT ITS NAME TO BE

ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPRAYINGS).

The opinion on the mixture given by the Ministry of Health of Colombia
to the Program was favorable, managing to classify it as Toxicological

Category III, that is, moderately toxicA somewhat more advanced
laboratory research will be conducted but so far it has been proven that
there is no synergism among the substances. ANNEX 163

He affirmed that the application is not completely uniform in the field,

therefore, it cannot be said that there are no risks to the ecosystem ;
that does not mean that the risks of the Program are above quality
standards, he added.

With regard to toxicity to fish, the concern is shared with Ecuador and it
is part of the investigation that needs to be done, that is, we do not have
our own environmental indicators for the Amazon region, Orinoco and the
different ecosystems.

In the case of water, which is another important concern for Ecuador ,
the volumes of water in our Amazon Rivers are very high with an

immense load of sediments due to suspended clay. There is also a need
for studies as to the effects on the soil. ANNEX 163

. ANNEX 163

. ANNEX 163

. ANNEX 164

Jim Oldham & Rachel Massey,

Health and Environmental Effects of Herbicide Spray Campaigns in Colombia,
The Institute for Science & International Studies (18 Mar. 2002) ANNEX 164

Health and Environmental Effects of

Herbicide Spray Campaigns in Colombia

Jim Oldham and Rachel Massey 1

March 18, 2002

Introduction

In February 2002, a three-year peace process in Colombia came to an end with President Andrés
Pastrana's decision to retake the demilitarized zone ceded to rebel forces in 1998 as a safe haven
for peace talks. 2With this decision, Colombia appears to have returned to full-scale civil war,

continuing a decades-long cycle of violence. Ostensibly with the purpose of supporting the "war
on drugs," both the Clinton and the Bush administrations have provided substantial military aid
3
to Colombia. The majority of U.S. aid to Colombia consists of assistance to the Colombian
military and police forces. These forces are closely tied to paramilitary organizations responsible
for the most serious human rights violations in Colombia's vicious civil war. Recently, the Bush

administration expanded the possible scope of U.S. military aid to Colombia, requesting
Congressional approval for $98 million in military aid to protect an oil pipeline. Some
5
lawmakers advocate providing US military equipment for counterinsurgency operations as well.

The pretext for U.S. military aid to Colombia remains the effort to halt the drug trade. In this

context, a key element of the aid is support for aerial spraying of herbicides in regions where
drug crops are produced. Under U.S. sponsorship, large areas of the Colombian countryside are

being sprayed by plane with herbicides. Supporters say these campaigns eradicate coca plants
and opium poppies, the raw materials for cocaine and heroin respectively, and will thereby
reduce production of these drugs.

According to the U.S. State Department, “the spray mixture [used] against coca throughout
Colombia…contains three components: water, a commercially available formulation of the
6
herbicide glyphosate, and the surfactant cosmo-flux 411f.” While the U.S. government has
refused to name the brand name of the glyphosate herbicide, 7 it has been widely reported to be

1The authors are, respectively, Amazon Projects Director and Research Fellow at the Institute for Science and
Interdisciplinary Studies (Prescott House, 893 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002; [email protected];
http://isis.hampshire.edu).
2
3Juan Forero, "Colombia Attacks Rebel Zone as Leader's Patience Snaps," New York Times (February 22, 2002)
For details on U.S. aid to Colombia, see Center for International Policy, http://www.ciponline.org/colombia.
4Human Rights Watch, "The 'Sixth Division': Military-paramilitary Ties and U.S. Policy in Colombia," (September
2001). Available at http://www.hrw.org/reports/2001/colombia/ (visited November 26, 2001).
5Juan Forero, "Colombia Attacks Rebel Zone as Leader's Patience Snaps," New York Times (February 22, 2002)
6
U.S. State Department, written answer to questions from U.S. Representative James McGovern (D, MA), (March
74, 2002.)
Deposition of Rand Beers, Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
(February 27, 2002). United States District Court for the District of Colombia, Case No. 1:01CV01908, Venacio
Aguasanta Arias et al. vs. Dyncorp et al., pp. 42-3.

© 2002 James Oldham and Rachel Massey $4.00

ISIS occasional papers are the work of individual authors and represent their own efforts. Opinions, analysis, interpretations,
conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and not those of ISIS, its officers, staff, Fellows, or members.ANNEX 164

Roundup Ultra, an herbicide made by the agrochemical company Monsanto. These reports have

been confirmed by the Narcotics Division of the Colombian National Police in information
provided to the Colombian People’s Ombudsman. 9 The composition of Roundup Ultra (41%
10
glyphosate, 14.5% surfactant, and 44.5% water ) also corresponds exactly to a description of the
unnamed herbicide provided by the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá. 11

According to the U.S. State Department, the aerial eradication program is directed primarily
against large coca producers. 12 But news stories from The New York Times , The Washington

Post, the St. Petersburg Times, the BBC, and other sources make it clear that small land owners,
peasant farmers, and indigenous communities have been directly affected by the spray
campaigns. Some of these individuals and communities grow coca or opium poppy alongside
13
other crops; many do not grow any drug crops.

U.S. government authorities have often dismissed complaints of adverse health and

environmental effects of the spray campaigns as scientifically unsound or otherwise lacking in
credibility. Based on our review of news reports, eyewitness accounts, scientific information

available on the chemicals being used, and arguments for and against the spray campaigns from
governmental and nongovernmental sources, we believe the following to be true:

1) Aerial spraying has a significant negative impact on the lives of large numbers of people,
particularly the rural poor, in Colombia. There is strong evidence linking spraying with serious

human health effects; large-scale destruction of food crops; and severe environmental impacts in
sensitive tropical ecosystems. There is also evidence of links between fumigation and loss of
agricultural resources, including fish kills and sickness and death of livestock.

2) Many of the reported effects are consistent with the known effects of the chemicals used and
with the manner in which they are applied. Reports of even more serious effects highlight the

need for further study of hazards posed by the particular mix being used in Colombia.

3) Criticisms and complaints are based on sound facts and come from a wide range of respected

national and international individuals and organizations—not from unreliable or self-interested
sources as U.S. government sources often suggest.

8
Hugh O'Shaughnessy, “How global battle against drugs risks backfiring,” Observer (June 17, 2001); "Guerra
contra los cocales," BBC World Service, http://www.bbc.co.uk/spanish/news010117colombia.shtml (visited Nov. 7,
2001); Paul de la Garza, “Roundup Works -- But Too Well?” St. Petersburg Times, (Mon., Aug 6 2001).
9Eduardo Cifuentes Muñoz, Colombian Human Rights Ombudsman, "Responses to questions from the Colombian
Congress" (July 2001).
10Material Safety Data Sheet for Roundup Ultra, available at http://www.cdms.net/ldat/mp178020.pdf
11
Information provided by William Duncan of the Anti-Narcotics Section of the U.S. Embassy, to Lisa Haugaard of
Latin America Working Group (February 20, 2002). Dr. Anna Cederstav (pers. comm.) of the Interamerican
Association for Environmental Defense reports that recent information from the EPA’s Office of Prevention,
Pesticides, and Toxic Substances points to the use of a different glyphosate herbicide, Roundup SL, considerably
more toxic than Roundup Ultra. This requires further clarification from the government.
12
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, U.S. Department of State, "Fact Sheet:
13adication of Illicit Crops: Frequently Asked Questions," November 30, 2001.
See, for example: Judy Mann, "Waging Chemical Warfare in Colombia," Washington Post (March 16, 2001), p.
C11; Jared Kotler, "Colombian Candidate Questions Plan," Associated Press (Sunday August 26, 2001), available at

Oldham and Massey Health and Environmental Effects of Herbicide Spray Campaigns in Colombia page 2 of 15 ANNEX 165

Association of American Jurists, et. al.,

Report on Verification Mission: Impacts in Ecuador of Fumigations in Putumayo
as Part of Plan Colombia (Oct. 2002) ANNEX 164

Report on Verification Mission,
"Impacts in Ecuador of fumigations in Putumayo as part of Plan Colombia,"

October 2002

We thank the Joint Armed Forces Command of Ecuador for enabling us to move about Ecuador's
border territory, as well as local authorities of the communities we visited in Colombia for
facilitating our access to the places we examined.

Prepared by:

Acción Ecológica

ALDHU

Asociación Americana de Juristas (AAJ)

CEDHU
Ecociencia
INREDH
Laboratorio de Suelos (LABSU)
RAPAL Ecuador

SERPAJ
Acción Creativa

American Friends Services CommitteeANNEX 164

0. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

x

x -

x

x

x

x

Fusarium

oxysporum

Fusarium

x

- 1 - ANNEX 164

1. BACKGROUND

-

1.a The chemical formula used

-

1.b Impacts of fumigations in Colombia in 2001

- 2 -ANNEX 164

-

Crops Has % N° %

Total 3,174 100% 55,045

1.c Impacts on Ecuador of the fumigations in Colombia in 2001

El Comercio,

El Comercio
El Comercio,

Damage to crops and animals in Sucumbíos (Ecuador)– 2001

Crops Percentage Animals No. of dead Percentage
animals

Total 2,560 Total 11,828

1.d Impacts of fumigations in Colombia in 2002

- 3 - ANNEX 164

-

-

-

1.e Impacts on Ecuador of fumigations in Colombia 2002

1.f Government actions

- at least
10 kilometers away from the Ecuadorian border,

- 4 -ANNEX 164

[1] National Narcotic Drugs Council: “Informe de actividades y funciones de auditoría
ambiental de noviembre de 1999” Taken from Nivia, E. “Las fumigaciones sí son peligrosas”
May 2001.

[2] Isacson, A. “Cumplimiento con las Condiciones de Fumigación en la Iniciativa Antidrogas
Andina”. Center for International Policy, April 2002

[3] Pabón, A. “Consolidado general de las pérdidas por la fumigación hasta el 19 de enero
de 2001”. Municipality of Valle del Guamuez. Municipal Police Station.

[4] Martínez, L. Letter addressed to the Minister of Environment of Colombia, Cecilia
Rodríguez. August 20, 2002. Puerto Asís.

[5] Carmona, J.A. “Reporte de áreas afectadas por fumigación” August 1 to September 23,

2002.

- 21 - ANNEX 164

Cifuentes, E. Resolución Defensorial # 026. October 2002.

[7] Deputy Department of Public Health of the Department of Putumayo: “Efectos de las
fumigaciones en los municipios de Valle de Guamuéz, San Miguel y Orito Putumayo –
Colombia diciembre de 2001”.

[8] Ordoñez, J. Letter addressed to Acción Ecológica. September 2002.

[9] Moeller, H. Letter addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia: Mr. Guillermo
Fernández de Soto, in Note No. 55416/2001-GM/SOI/SSN of July 2, 2001.

[10] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia. Note DM/AL No. 25009 of July 14, 2001 (as

quoted by Melania Yánez in her undated report: “Aclaraciones con respecto al informe
realizado por la misión diplomática del Ecuador en Colombia acerca del Seminario sobre
Erradicación de Cultivos Ilícitos. Bogotá, 13 – 15 de febrero del 2001”. )

Yánez, M. “Aclaraciones con respecto al informe realizado por la misión diplomática del
Ecuador en Colombia acerca del Seminario sobre Erradicación de Cultivos Ilícitos. Bogotá,
13 – 15 de febrero del 2001”. undated

[12] Joint report of the Seminar-Workshop on the Eradication of Illicit Crops, Bogotá,
Colombia, February 13-15, 2002. Executive Summary, page 4

[13] Ibid.

[14] Ibid.

[15] Ibid., page 6

Acción Ecológica. “Reporte de la investigación de los impactos por las fumigaciones en
la frontera ecuatoriana”. Quito, June 2001

The U.S. Ambassador to Ecuador declared that Round Up Ultra is less harmful than
table salt or baby shampoo. El Comercio, January 2001.

[18] Ballantyne, B. et col. General and Applied Toxicology. Stockton Press, New York, 1994.

[19] Paz y Miño, C. et col. “Monitoreo citogenético en población ecuatoriana expuesta
ocupacionalmente a pesticidas”. Rev. Fac. Cs. Med. Vol. 25, No. 1, page 15, April 2000.

Quito, Ecuador

[20] Results of the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Human Cytogenetics of PUCE.

[21] Paz y Miño, C. et col. “Monitoreo citogenético en población ecuatoriana expuesta
ocupacionalmente a pesticidas”. Rev. Fac. Cs. Med. Vol. 25, No. 1, page 20, April 2000.
Quito, Ecuador.

[22] Paz y Miño, C. et col. “Follow up study of chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes in
hospital workers occupationally exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation. Elsevier Science

B.V. 1995

- 22 - ANNEX 166

Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment, et al.,

Impacts in Ecuador by the Fumigations Carried Out in the Putumayo Department
under Plan Colombia (July 2003) ANNEX 165

Verification Mission

“Impacts in Ecuador of the spraying conducted in the Department of
Putumayo under Plan

Colombia”

July 2003

Members of the Mission:

• Ministry of the Environment
• Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock

• Provincial Council of Sucumbíos
• Municipality of Lago Agrio
• National Department for the Indigenous Peoples
1
• Provincial Representative of Sucumbíos
• Inter-Institutional Committee against Fumigations (CIF in Spanish)
• Federation of Peasant Organizations of the Ecuadorian Border Area of
Sucumbíos (FORCCOFES in Spanish)

• Sucumbíos Radio
• La Hora Newspaper

1Delegate of Engineer Julio González, Provincial Representative of SucumbíosANNEX 165

[PAGE 2]

Executive Summary

Background

In 1984, the Colombian Government convened a group of herbicides experts
to learn about the potential harm that could occur by using them in aerial
sprayings. In February 1984, the experts concluded:

“From the standpoint of human health and impact on the environment, the
chemical method should be considered a last resort (…) any method that is
proposed for the massive destruction of marijuana and coca crops should be
preceded by studies on human health effects and the environmental impacts

(…) the new massive use, by aerial application, proposed by the National
Narcotics Council is not advisable”.

In April 1984, the experts added: “Glyphosate: It is not recommended for

aerial application to destroy marijuana and coca crops. Data obtained in
animal experiments show low acute toxicity; little is known of its acute
toxicity in humans. There is no information, in the literature consulted,
about chronic toxicity in humans. Nor is there information regarding

mutagenic and teratogenic effects…”

In May 1984, the Government of Colombia banned the use of the herbicide
paraquat and ordered, despite opposition from experts, the use of

glyphosate.

In August 1984, the Committee of Experts added: “the Committee
reiterates its opposition[sic, position] of not recommending the use of
glyphosate or any other herbicide by aerial application for the destruction of

marijuana crops (…) the implementation of the program is advised against
because it would be accepting experimentation on humans”.

The sprayings began and today Colombia uses a mixture of glyphosate,

POEA, and Cosmo Flux in a cocktail, with effects on health and the
environment that are unknown in the scientific literature. Moreover, it is
used at a concentration between 18 and 26 times above what is allowed in
the United States for glyphosate alone.

To date, the Government of Colombia has not conducted a single scientific
study of the impacts on animals, population or the environment, and the ANNEX 165

sprayings are being carried out over houses, schools, rivers, licit and illicit
crops.

Since January 2001, the communities on the Ecuadorian border have been

affected by the sprayings conducted by the Government of Colombia within
the framework of Plan Colombia and the operations of forced eradication of
coca crops in Putumayo. In light of this situation, local and national

organizations, deeply concerned about the impacts on health, the
environment and agriculture, have made several verification visits to
document the impacts.

After several reports and judicial complaints to the Ecuadorian State, with
the aim to safeguard the health and the environment of communities settled

[PAGE 3]

in the border area, the Ecuadorian Government formally requested 2 that

Colombia establish a 10-kilometer security zone from the border for the
sprayings. This petition was accepted verbally by said country through
General Gustavo Socha (Director of the Anti-narcotics Police), Doctor
Richard Baca (Director of the Narcotics Affairs Section – NAS – of the

United States Embassy), Engineer Luis Parra (Advisor for NAS) and Major
Vargas, at the workshop conducted by diplomatic representatives of both
countries in Bogotá, in February 2002. Nonetheless, on repeated occasions

Colombia has continued to spray in the border area, in addition to violating
Ecuadorian air space.

[…]
[PAGE 4]

Regarding the Impacts:

State institutions and various civil society organizations have submitted

reports which, among other things, indicate the following effects:

x The impact of the aerial spraying with glyphosate, principally due to

the effects of the drift that affects the communities located 2 and 3
kilometers from the border line.

2Note 55416/2001-GM/SOI/SSN of 2 July 2001, from Minister of Foreign Affairs Heinz
Moeller to Mr. Guillermo Fernández de Soto, Minister of Foreign Affairs of ColombiaANNEX 165

x The majority of campesino and indigenous communities live below
the poverty level, and basically dedicate themselves to the

cultivation of agricultural products for their subsistence. Due to the
of structural condition of poverty, these are populations are highly
vulnerable in the area of health.

To Health:

x Every report submitted corroborates the effects on health, the
environment, and food security.

x The population most affected by the fumigations is the children,
who have bumps on their skin, rashes, headaches, vomiting, fever,
and stomach pains. This has resulted in poor school performance

and a high dropout rate.
x The population attributes the deaths of several people to the
fumigations. Since January of 2001, 12 people have died, which is
a high percentage according to the numbers of deaths recorded in

recent years. In the communities of San Francisco 1 and 2, Reina
del Cisne and Condor, 8 people died after the fumigations in 2001,
the majority of whom are children. During the fumigations carried
out from July to September of 2002, 4 more people died.

x In terms of health, the reports indicate that the population shows
symptoms such as headaches, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
conjunctivitis, bone pain, allergies, fungi, rashes and respiratory
illness. The populations have stated that the intensity of some of

these illnesses were not common in the area, and that after the
fumigations there has been a propensity for people to fall ill with
greater frequency.
x In addition, blood and plant samples were taken that, at the time of

the submission of these reports, are still being studied.

On production

x It is evident that the fumigations are endangering the already
precarious food supply of the populations, basically because they

have damaged the short-cycle crops such as maize, yucca, cacao and
plantain. Many campesinos and campesinas have lost their crops
and/or seen them diminish. For example, in the case of maize,
production fell from 25 to 4 and down to 1 quintal per hectare. It
must again be indicated that this type of illness in the plants did not

exist before and that it is caused by, fundamentally, the fumigations. ANNEX 165

[…]
[PAGE 7]
[…]

Because of the damages to agriculture previously mentioned, a visit to the
damaged crops was [sic] requested and the plot of Mr. Juan Gregorio
Cuajubuay of the Santa Marianita precinct was selected. The agricultural
problems that were directly experienced there are summarized as follows:

[PAGE 8]

x In the Pastures ( Aleman and Dallys), the plants have turned yellow

and died. The plants began to turn yellow starting from the upper
part, and this advanced towards the roots. Upon extracting the plant
by its roots, it was noted that even the roots had died.
x With the Plantain, it was easy to see from the yellowing of the leaves

and the bunches that the fruit took on a strange shape, stopped
growing, and rotted. Upon cutting it, a series of brown spots could
be seen in the center. According to the campesinos, the process is
irreversible, and once the illness has affected the plant it cannot be

recovered and the plant can only be thrown away; nor is it given to
animals, for fear of causing them harm. In the trunk of the plant,
rings of the same brown color as in the fruit are seen. The
campesinos clearly identify sick plants and know there is no

solution.
x In the case of Cacao, the fruit basically rots, taking on a dark brown
color which changes to black. Upon cutting it, the rotten cacao
seeds can be seen.

x In the case of Maize, the situation is similar to that of the pastures,
with the additional fact that on the cob the kernels lost their size,
which is to say that they were smaller.

Other crops were not observed, but the owner stated that the yucca was also
affected (and more quickly than the plantain) and that fruits, such as
pineapple, were equally affected.ANNEX 165

[PAGE 9]

1. Effects to Agriculture

Faced with a lack of laboratory results to confirm or contradict that the
agricultural damages are caused by the fumigations under Plan Colombia, it

is important to highlight that the indices reported by the campesinos are
sufficiently reliable to deduce, with respect to Agriculture, the fumigations
are harmful to agricultural crops, and therefore it is indispensible that the
Ecuadorian State protect agricultural production, especially small economies

whose principal source of income is agriculture and less dependent on
livestock.

As noted by a Colombian campesino interviewed during the inspection, who

has directly received the fumigations, it can be further deduced that the
pathological symptoms in the crops are similar to those reported by the
campesinos on the Ecuadorian side, with the difference being that in
Colombia, the aerosol fell directly from the plane, so that in Ecuador the

effect is of less intensity, because the chemical substances used in the
fumigations were only carried by the wind, or perhaps by water, and for this
reason it is understandable that the damages on the Ecuadorian side are in
separate patches, while in Colombia the fumigation destroyed all of the

crops over broad areas.

[…]

RECOMMENDATION:

As indicated, this was the first field inspection undertaken with official
representatives from the Public Sector (the Ministries of Agriculture and

[PAGE 10]

Environment, and organs at the Provincial and Cantonal levels); however,

and beyond the role of regulator or norm-setter which is currently assigned
to the Public Sector, this should be taken as an opportunity to seek
coordination and co-financing mechanisms between the different public
entities, without of course discarding the support of civil society

organizations. By treating an environmental problem resulting in a dietary
problem, and general subsistence, the MAG can convene other bodies, such
as the other Ministries and the Universities, in order to unify sources of
support which on their own would be of little significance. Once the ANNEX 165

necessity of Public Sector support in finding solutions is accepted, a new
level of debate can come into focus, and in this case it should be anticipated

that the best results will be obtained when the parties involved are united to
find their own solutions, through participative planning processes which
reflect the recognition of the potential for local development, but without
losing contact with the general environment, which includes options

regarding the market, communication, technology, etc.

Dr. Santiago Gangotena V.
Quito, 25 July 2003

[PAGE 11]

Report of the Ministry of the Environment

BACKGROUND

In response to the official letter submitted to Mr. Eng. César Narváez, the
Minister of the Environment, issued by Lina Cahuasquí, a member of the
Inter-Institutional Committee against the Fumigations (CIF), with the
purpose of forming a Verification Mission on the Impacts of the

Fumigations, requesting a delegate from our Ministry, based on the
summary included as an annex to this document, to form part of this
Commission.

RESULTS OF THE INSPECTION

On 23 July 2003, in the offices of the Federation of Campesino
Organizations of the Ecuadorian Border Region of Sucumbios
(FORCCOFES) in Lago Agrio we met with the representatives of the

following Public Institutions and NGOs.

Iván Piedra, representative of Acción Ecológica
Jenny España, representative of Acción Ecológica

Adolfo Maldonado, representative of the Ombudsman for the Indigenous
People
Luis Anrango, representative of the Ombudsman for the Indigenous People
Francisco Aucancela, representative of the Ombudsman of Sucumbios

Martha Ordóñez, Secretary of FORCCOFES
Lic. Lorgia Loayza, representative of ECORAE
Sandra Alarcón, Promoter of the Provincial CouncilANNEX 165

Lina Cahuasquí, representative of the Inter-Institutional Committee against
the Fumigations

Daniel Alarcón, President of FORCCOFES
Galo Jaya, representative of Radio Sucumbios
And the Undersigned Marcelo Morales, representative of the Ministry of the
Environment.

The first Community we visited was Santa Marianita. The residents of the
region, accompanied by their President, Mr. José Ordóñez, noted that
around 100 families live there, and added that “they have not respected the

10 km [buffer zone] from the border. The planes violate our airspace, enter
our territory, one hears shootings, bombardments, when the planes are
fumigating”, that they observe a brown drizzle, and that, “our town is
located 2,500 meters from the San Miguel River, and the effects caused by

the fumigations are disastrous both to our crops and to the health of our
residents and animals”.

“Among the principal crops we had:

x Yucca crops, with the heart rotted and turned black, and which are

[PAGE 12]

not suitable for human consumption.
x Plantain crops, which wither, and the size of the fruit does not reach
its usual state of growth, remaining miniature, and when the animals

are fed these fruits they break out with bumps, like a rash, and from
all the scratching the animal tends to lose its skin and die.
x Maize crops, in the same manner, in the process of developing, great
quantities of this crop have been lost due to the effect of the

glyphosate which dries the plant.
x Rice crops, the plant dried up and the product was lost in the end.
x Pastures have dried up, and in the same way, cattle, sheep and horse

livestock have died. They got scabies all over their bodies, including
on the tongue, from eating grass contaminated with the chemical and
the water of the streams, among other foods.
x Fish farming pools, the glyphosate fell in to our pools and the fish

began to die.
x People, upon bathing in the streams, found that the San Miguel River
caused bumps on our skin, gave us headaches, nausea, stomach
pains, the flu, and especially body aches. The fumigations have ANNEX 165

greatly affected the health of our inhabitants, and several people
have even died of these symptoms, as was the case with:

- Betty Casanova, 22 years old, died 4 August 2002.
- Esperanza Silva, 62 years old, died 6 August 2002.
- Luis Baltasar, died in September of 2002.

Monterrey Community

Also in the presence of the President of this Community, Mr. Felipe Maya,
it was indicated that around 30 families live in the area, and that the impacts
caused by the fumigations are as follows:

x Loss of crops such as cacao, which does not ripen, and the fruit does
not reach its normal state of growth, remains very small and turns
black and very hard.

x Plantains wither, and coffee dries up on the plant.
x The wild birds have disappeared, and they can no longer be heard
singing in the mornings or the evenings.

There have also been two deaths in this Community

- Edgar Andrade, 8 years old, died in May of 2003.
- Gerardo Abundisaca, 90 years old, died 1 June 2003.

-

Corazon Orense Community

We visited the Orense Community and its vice-president, Mr. Jacinto
Coque, indicated that 30 families live in the area, most of whom are
Ecuadorian, and that they are located 2,000 metres from the border. They
also have the same problems and have been affected by the fumigations,

which have been carried out since the past year. In addition, the residents
say that they no longer farm as they did before because they are afraid of
losing their crops, and that the land is turning infertile, which makes it
difficult to work the land now that the resources for controlling pests areANNEX 165

[PAGE 13]

very expensive. In addition, they indicated that there is a greater number of
insects, which harm the health of people and animals.

There are various illnesses in this area, as is the case with Mrs. María

Cáceres, who suffers from an illness which has appeared on her tongue from
ingesting products from the area as a part of her diet. Being of low
economic resources she does not have money to buy food from the city.

A teacher from the “Martín Luther King” school, Mr. Willian Chicaiza, says
that he has lived in the area for eight years, and that his students are
showing illnesses such as bumps all over their bodies, caused by a virus
similar to malaria, and this has made it difficult for the children to perform

well. He also indicated that when they fumigate, there is a strong odor in
the environment, and that one hears shootings and bombings that shake the
ground.

The production of hens is also being lost due to the fact that they are not
laying eggs, and so there is no reproduction.

Dios Peña Community

The community of Dios Peña is a village located in Colombian territory.
These areas are highly neglected, as is the case on our border. There are
losses of crops, and the people show the same symptoms, including fever,

headache, and eye aches and spotted skin. 70% of the families that live in
this area are Ecuadorian. We also find that there are coca crops that have
not been fumigated along the road which brought us to the community of
Dios Peña.

Continuing our descent downriver by the San Miguel River, we reached the
Community of Yanamarun, a Kichwa Centre. With the director and
residents of the area, headed by their president, Ricardo Noteno, they
described the effects caused by the fumigations, adding that the planes

fumigated their territories, flying over Ecuadorian airspace. It can be
observed that there were losses to crops such as yucca, plantain, cacao, rice
and maize. 20 families with 50 children live here, 80% of whom are
Ecuadorian. The residents are afraid to continue working the land for fear

of losing their products again, and because they rely on hunting and fishing
for survival. ANNEX 165

[PAGE 14]

As a last stop, we visited the Community of Puerto Nuevo, and similarly,

the problems there are similar to the problems all along the border region,
with great losses to crops and illnesses which attack human and animal life.

CONCLUSIONS

The effects of Plan Colombia in terms of the fumigation have affected the
people and communities of the border region, causing great destruction and
losses to their crops, livestock, and bird-breeding activities, and there have

been human victims (deaths) among residents of the area.

RECOMMENDATIONS

x Demand that the President of the Republic of Colombia respect the
10 kilometre no-fumigation buffer zone in the Border Region where
human life still exists.

x That the Ecuadorian Foreign Minister request of the Colombian
President that he respect the 10 kilometres and that he not violate
Ecuadorian airspace.

x That the President of the Republic, Engineer Lucio Gutiérrez,
implement productive projects to benefit the communities of the
border region in order to avoid the destruction of the flora and fauna
of the Amazon.

x That a copy of the Inter-Institutional Report be issued to the Ministry
of Health so that medical teams can continuously be sent to the
towns of the border area to prevent epidemics and human deaths.

This report is issued based on the reality experienced and seen in the
territories of the communities of the border region.ANNEX 165

[PAGE 15]

Report of the Office of the National Ombudsman for Indigenous
Peoples

REPORT ON THE FIELD VISIT FOR THE VERIFICATION OF

IMPACTS PRODUCED BY THE FUMIGATIONS IN THE
TERRITORIES OF THE COLOMBIAN-ECUADORIAN BORDER
REGION

At the invitation of the Inter-Institutional Committee against the
Fumigations (CIF in Spanish) and the authorization of the Ombudsman (E) I
participated in the field visit for the verification of impacts produced by the

fumigations carried out under Plan Colombia on the Ecuadorian-Colombian
border in the province of Sucumbóos.

This excursion was undertaken on the 23dand 24 of July in 2003, along

with representatives from State institutions and the delegations that
comprise the Inter-Institutional Committee against the Fumigations (CIF),
which were:

Participants in the Mission

x Ministry of the Environment
x Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
x Provincial Council of Sucumbóos

x Mayor’s Office of Lago Agrio
x National Agency for the Defense of the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples of the Office of the Ombudsman

x Delegate from the Provincial Representative of Sucumbíos, Julio
González
x Inter-Institutional Committee against the Fumigations (CIF)

x Federation of Campesino Organizations of the Ecuadorian Border
Region in Sucumbíos (FORCCOFES
x Sucumbíos Radio

x La Hora newspaper

23 July 2003 ANNEX 165

VISIT TO SANTA MARIANITA VILLAGE

We began with the visit to the Santa Marianita Village, where the residents
had waited to join. José Ordoñez, President of this village, informed the
Verification Commission that approximately 100 families live there, and

that they are 2 and a half kilometres from the border. The previous week, he
saw two planes fly over the San Miguel River (the border between Ecuador
and Colombia) producing an enormous noise that frightened everyone. The
fumigations in July, August and September of 2002 have produced illnesses

such as rashes, infections, fever, and headaches, especially among children.
The people who have died as a result of these fumigations include: Betty
Casanova, 22 years old; Esperanza Silvia, 62 years old, on 4 August 2001;
Luis Baltasar Cabrera, 70 years old, died in September of the same year.

Carmelina Cabrera is in SOLCA [Ecuadorian Society for the Fight against
Cancer]; Victoria Rivadeneira (housewife) complains of headaches, fever,
nausea, bone pain, and bumps, as do Gina Cavajal, 22 years old, Magola
Cantincuz and Isabel Reyes.

In terms of the crops, the yucca, maize, and plantains were burned, and their
fruits are rotten. The women of this Village have a plantain flour
production project with support from the Red Cross, and have cultivated 60

hectares of plantains which will fail because of the fumigations. The
animals have died, and the fish in contaminated rivers have also died.

[PAGE 16]

VISIT TO MONERREY VILLAGE

Felipe Maya, President of the Association of Campesino Farmers of
Monterrey, confirmed that about 30 families live here, and that they are 2

kilometers from the San Miguel River (border).

After the fumigations in July, August and September of 2002, a number of
consequences affected this Village, such as the appearance of illnesses of

the eyes, respiratory problems, bumps, throat aches, coughing, warts on the
feet, nausea, and headaches.

Gerardo Aguinsaca 90 years old, Segundo Rafael Perenguez, 74 years old,

and José Aguinsaca, 50 years old, died.

The papaya, green plantains, yucca, and plantains cannot be eaten, because
they cause stomach pain. They have problems with respiration. AsunciónANNEX 165

Cantos says “before the fumigations we didn’t have these problems. Now,
everything affects us.”

In terms of agriculture: the cacao, maize, rice, and plantains and yucca, no
longer produce, are turning yellow and rotting. Before, 20 qq. of maize was
produced per 1 hectare, now scarcely 1 to 4 qq is harvested. They want to

abandon these lands to live and work in peace, without fumigations, or the
thieves that have arrived.

The Charapa River of this Village is contaminated, so that whoever bathes

here finds their skin affected. Animals such as cows, goats and fish have
died.

It is said that with ECORAE they cultivated one-thousand plantain plants,

and have lost their products. They have no money to buy medicines, and no
authority has appeared to lend them aid. They feel abandoned.

VISIT TO CORAZON ORENSE VILLAGE

The people gathered in the Common House waiting for the Commission.
The Vice-President, Mr. Merecindo Padua, says that the children and
parents have headaches, bumps, and respiratory problems. Approximately

70 families live here. The Red Cross is the only institution that visits them.
The military comes and passes through this area. They are less than two
kilometers from the San Miguel River. It stated that they want to leave this
place because there is no security and their crops are not producing, and that

their life is becoming increasingly more complicated.

Padua indicated that, “In September of 2002 the planes crossed, fumigating,
followed by the helicopters, causing terror among the people and the
children in school. The plants and crops were immediately damaged and

died, and rare illnesses appeared. Last week the planes fumigated and
crossed into our territory. Last year three people died after the fumigations:
1 child, 1 adolescent, and 1 adult”. These fumigations affect people,
animals, wildlife, and the environment. Víctor Moras, a parent, says that the

elementary and high school children are feeling weak and are not
performing well.

Plan Colombia gave us hope in the beginning, because it offered

development projects. Now, however, everything is to the contrary. It has
brought us only ill fortune and death. UDENOR [the Northern
Development Unit] has not done anything”. To survive, the population has
to go to the city to look for work, stated the leader. ANNEX 165

[PAGE 17]

Mrs. Piedad Cuenca, crying, asked for respect for the lives of the
inhabitants, as she has a sick child who no one can cure. In the hospitals
and clinics they accuse her of trying to take advantage of Plan Colombia.

The leader of this Village, Mr. Wilmar Chicaiza, confirms the truth of what
the residents have stated. That he worked here for 8 years and that before
the fumigations these illnesses had not occurred. “The children do not
attend school, and the people are worried and terrified. Animals die, the

nesting hens barely lay a dozen eggs, with only one chick. They are
fumigating above us. The planes pass by here, at a low altitude, followed by
two or three helicopters which guard them”.

VISIT TO DIOS PEÑA VILLAGE

Crossing the San Miguel River, on the Colombian side we arrived at the

Dios Peña Village, where the teacher Luis Alberto Garrido pointed out that
with the first spraying in August 2002, vegetable gardens have died,
unknown diseases have appeared, and there have been deaths. That the
institution AFILADOR vaccinates people on a monthly basis. That the

children are the most affected ones with chills, fever, headaches, eye
irritation, the flu, bumps, and diminished energy. That there has been a 20
percent school dropout rate. “Before the spraying, I had 45 children, now I
have 20”, added Garrido.

24 July 2003

VISIT TO THE KICHWA INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY OF
YANA AMARUM

From Puerto Nuevo, we went to the Kichwa community Yana Amarum,

which is on the right side of the bank of San Miguel River. Juan Escobar,
leader of this community, said that 20 families live here, of which there are
50 children. He affirmed that 2 spraying planes, followed by three
helicopters, cross into Ecuadorian territory (violating national sovereignty).

“They go by 2 or 3 times, flying low, roughly at 30 metres in altitude, from
6 in the morning to 6 in the evening. These planes drop a liquid above us,
our huts and school, and as a consequence they ruin our planted crops:
maize, yucca, plantain, and coffee. They contaminate the river andANNEX 165

environment; they turn around here. We are just recovering from the effects
of the sprayings

[PAGE 18]

of July, August and September 2002; however, with last week’s spraying,

we have to endure the impacts again”.

The bilingual teacher, Rógulo Grefa, and four more families had to abandon
the community for fear of insecurity, sickness and more problems. After the

spraying, the same illnesses as in other villages appeared and a chemical
odor, which goes away in 5 days, after a shower. River waters contain
what seem to be oil stains. Hunting and fishing have been stopped. They do
not want foreign nor national soldiers. There is concern about the Executive

Decree of the Reserve Zones and Areas of Influence, which militarizes 20
kilometers of the border, from the San Miguel River towards the interior of
Ecuadorian territory. This is a mystery for the community and they want to
know its objective so they know what to expect. Ricardo Noteno, leader of

the Community, confirms this fact and asks for support from this
Commission to determine the implications of this Decree and demands that
the Government and other competent authorities not spray 10 kilometers
from the border with Ecuador.

VISIT TO PUERTO NUEVO

This is a new town that subsists on agriculture and trade. The women at the
meeting held that with the spraying there have been pests such as flies that
bite animals and produce worms on them. Cows give birth to deformed or
stillborn calves. The eyes of the chickens and dogs have been affected, they
cannot eat and they die.

Children, as always, are the most affected ones. A little girl and a woman
have died. There are many sick children; and the same have stopped going
to school.

33-year-old Mrs. Yolanda Pantoja, one of the victims, has breathing
problems which get worse at night. Her little boy is also sick; all of this as a
result the sprayings of July, August and September of 2002. ANNEX 165

CONCLUSIONS

Ø Complaints presented by residents of the villages and communities
fully coincide in terms of the negative impacts on people, animals, nature
and the environment, caused by the sprayings under Plan Colombia.

Ø With regard to the families, the children are the most affected ones,
who, immediately after the sprayings of July, August, and September 2002,
were stricken with bumps and rashes on their heads, bodies and extremities;

fever, headaches, lassitude, and death. This led to school drop-out, also
causing, as a result, the withdrawal or change of some of the teachers; that
is, the normal development of the education process is prevented.

Ø The mothers and fathers of the families have been affected by
headaches, fever, fungi, respiratory problems, and some have even died.

Ø The effects of the spraying are also being felt in the health and

economic situation of entire families, to the point that they are desperate, in
a total crisis of poverty and psychosis; which explains why some families
have abandoned their lands, since they no longer produce as they did before
the sprayings.

Ø Animals suffer from skin and respiratory diseases and have even
died from drinking contaminated water and eating contaminated grass.
Cows have given birth to deformed or stillborn calves and chicks die

immediately after the spraying.

[PAGE 19]

Ø With regard to subsistence agriculture and livestock farming, this has

deteriorated even more insofar as spraying affects their crops such as
plantain, yucca, and cocoa which rot internally, preventing normal
development, and turning them into indigestible waste even for domestic
animals. Likewise, the corncob is the only thing left from the maize, most

of which rots before it is harvested.

Ø The air is contaminated, causing people to have headaches, fever, the
flu, sore throat, coughing, and respiratory problems. They have stated that

after the spraying, a chemical odor stays in the environment. Moreover,
rivers have also been contaminated, and because they lack drinking water or
at least piped water, they necessarily have to use the water from the riversANNEX 165

for domestic use and their personal hygiene, causing, of course, internal and
skin diseases.

Ø They have complained to the Commission that in July and August of
2002, and 4, 5, and 6 July of this year, the planes have sprayed flying very
low (at about 30 meters altitude) accompanied by 2 or 3 helicopters, making

dreadful noises that sow terror in the population, especially in children.
Furthermore, they turn around in Ecuadorian territory, invading national
sovereignty.
[…]

Quito, 25 July 2003
Luis Alberto Anrango B.
NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE DINAPIN

OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

[PAGE 20]

Report of the Provincial Council of Sucumbios
REPORT ON THE VISIT TO THE COMMUNITIES OF THE

BORDER REGION AFFECTED BY PLAN COLOMBIA ON THE 23
AND 24 OF JULY

BACKGROUND

The Border Region until 2001 was characterized as being an area of
excellent production and maintained a balanced ecosystem, a high level of
biodiversity, with a naturally well-conserved environmental state. The lives
of people there was healthy and in harmony with their daily activities. The

area is populated by families from different provinces of the country, and in
addition there are ancestral communities such as the Kichwa and Cofán
peoples. Sucumbíos is located in the Northeast of Ecuador, bordered on the
north by the Republic of Colombia, and is divided into seven cantons then

subdivided into twenty-six rural precincts and seven urban areas. It covers
an area of 18,612 kilometres, and has a population of 129,995 inhabitants,
according to the census of 2001. It also has a high diversity of inhabitants
and nationalities, such as the Secoya, Siona, Kichwa, Shuar and Cofán

peoples.

Starting in 2001, Plan Colombia was implemented in the neighboring
country with the aim of eliminating illicit crops, reportedly applying ANNEX 165

chemicals such as glyphosate via aerial fumigation. During this process a
negative change has been observed in terms of the coexistence of nearby

communities in terms of production, the economy, health and social
security.

MEMBERS OF THE INTER-INSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEE

On the 23 and 24 of July, the Commission was visiting the border region
formed in the following manner:

o Luis Andrango – National Office of the Ombudsman of
Indigenous Peoples
o Lorgia Loayza – ECORAE
o Silvia Meléndez – Municipality of Lago Agrio

o Iván Piedra, Adolfo Maldonado – Acción Ecológica
o Daniel and Sandra Alarcón – FORCCOFES
o Galo Jaya – Sucumbios Radio
o Marcelo Morales – MAE

o Lina Cahuasquí – Andean Services Committee
o Juan García – Provincial Government of Sucumbíos

The communities visited are as follows:

x Santa Marianita with 100 families and 60 children
x 5 de Agosto with 20 families and 20 children

x Monte Ray, 30 families and 20 children
x Corazón Orense, 30 families and 60 children
x Puerto Camacho, 20 families and 20 children
x Puerto Nuevo, 300 families and 400 children

x Yanamarun, 34 families and 50 children.

[PAGE 21]

Economic Situation. Before the fumigations the population maintained an
acceptable situation which allowed for satisfaction of their various needs,
because there was production and they had trade with the neighboring

country. As a consequence of the fumigations experienced, these activities
have been substantially diminished, and thus, the economy of the border
area is debilitated.

Health Situation. During the fumigation process we have experienced and

observed, up until now, unknown illnesses affecting the health of theANNEX 165

inhabitants of this area, with symptoms never before seen in the majority of
the population. From the testimonies and observations which have been

made, some symptoms may be noted: such as headache, stomach pains,
bone pain, respiratory problems, vomiting, diarrhea, and fungus on the skin.
The health of animals, including cows, horses and birds in general has also
been affected. We can note that the consequences of these unknown

illnesses have caused some deaths among men, women and children, such as
the following:

Betty Casanova, 22 years old; Esperanza Silva, 62 years old; Luis Alcázar

Cabrera; Edgar Andrado, 8 years old; and Gerardo Anguisaca, 90 years old.
These cases are from 2002 to 2003.

Agricultural Situation. In the same way it is evident in the majority of

communities that the plantations and production have been affected in a
significant manner. For example, plantain, yucca, maize, coffee, cacao,
pastures, and fruits, which are found to have defects unknown to the
residents of the area, such as black spots, rotting of fruit, deformation and

degeneration of fruit, dry pastures, and what little production remains is of
poor quality.

Social Situation: According to reports and, testimonies of the inhabitants

and as is understood who live in the Border Region, irregular groups on the
Colombian territory intimidate and terrorize the community. This has led to
the displacement of families to our territory. Consequently, there has been
disruption in social security. I have to note that there was a lack of

protection from police and military forces throughout the visit.

Environmental Situation. With the presence of irregular groups in the
border area on the Colombian side, has resulted in attacks on the Colombian
oil pipeline which transports petroleum, leading to large spills and,

principally, combustion, resulting in the contamination of the air, causing
these gasses and the smoke to affect the health of people, and causing
alterations to the climatic conditions of the area. During the visit, we could
observe three wells burning, and the inhalation of gases causes disturbances

to health. We can also confirm that there is petroleum residue on the banks
of the San Miguel River near the community of Puerto Camacho.

Demands of the Community. The communities in general request that: ANNEX 165

[PAGE 22]

o The Central, Provincial and Local governments implement
health programs.
o The Central Government, by way of diplomatic means,
request the signing of an Agreement regarding the 10

kilometer no-fumigation buffer zone on the Colombian side.
o That the Central Government repeal the Executive Decree
which declares Reserve Areas and Areas of Influence in the
Border Region.

o That the Government in turn indemnify the affected people
and repair the environmental impact.

CONCLUSIONS

1. During the fumigation process on the border, illnesses unknown to
the population have appeared, and to this day, systemic damage to
people can been observed, for example to the respiratory system,

skin, digestive system and nervous system.
2. Damage to crops is evident in cacao, coffee, plantain, yucca, cmaize,
and rice plantations, and the pastures have dried up.
3. There has been a psychological effect on the population that has

gone untreated, which has obliged many of them to abandon their
land because of anxiety over the social problems along the border
and the general deterioration of the economy.
4. The general deterioration of the ecosystem, according to the

residents, comes from unknown illnesses in native species.
5. Plan Colombia, in general, is a violation of the economic, social,
cultural and environmental rights of our populations, with the
indigenous peoples being the most vulnerable sector.

RECOMMENDATION
x The implementation of programs and projects to improve and
recuperate production and health among the border

population is urgent.
x Deepen or promote the research processes initiated by social
bodies to determine the losses which have been produced
with respect to human, crop, environmental and animal

damages.
x Strongly request that the National Government initiate the
diplomatic process to suspend fumigations on the northern
border.ANNEX 165

x That a valuation study be undertaken for the damages caused
to biodiversity, and that the corresponding indemnification
and reparation be required.
x That plans for social and psychological attention for the

affected population, especially children and young people be
implemented. ANNEX 165

Misión de Verificación

“Impactos en el Ecuador de las fumigaciones realizadas
en el Departamento del Putumayo dentro del Plan

Colombia”

Julio, 2003

Participantes de la Misión:

x Ministerio del Ambiente
x Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería

x Consejo Provincial de Sucumbíos
x Alcaldía de Lago Agrio
x Defensoría Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas
1
x Diputación Provincial de Sucumbíos ,
x Comité Interinstitucional contra las Fumigaciones (CIF)
x Federación de Organizaciones Campesinas del Cordón

Fronterizo Ecuatoriano de Sucumbíos (FORCCOFES)
x Radio Sucumbíos
x Periódico La Hora

1Delegada del Ing. Julio González, Diputado Provincial de Sucumbíos.ANNEX 165

2

Resumen Ejecutivo

Antecedentes

En 1984 el Gobierno Colombiano convocó a un grupo de expertos en herbicidas

para conocer los posibles daños que se producirían por el uso de éstos en
aspersión aérea. En febrero de 1984 los expertos concluyeron:

“Desde el punto de la salud humana y el impacto en el medio ambiente, el
método químico debe ser el último en considerarse (...) cualquier método que se
proponga para la destrucción masiva de los cultivos de marihuana y coca deberá

estar precedido de los estudios sobre los efectos en la salud de las personas y del
impacto sobre el ambiente (…) no es aconsejable el nuevo uso masivo y por
aplicación aérea propuesto por el Consejo Nacional de Estupefacientes”

En abril de 1984 añadirían los expertos: “Glifosato: No se recomienda su uso por

vía aérea en la destrucción de cultivos de marihuana y coca. Los datos obtenidos
en experimentación animal muestran baja toxicidad aguda para los mismos; su
toxicidad aguda en humanos es poco conocida. No hay en la literatura
consultada información sobre toxicidad crónica en humanos. Tampoco hay
información con respecto a sus efectos mutagénicos y teratogénicos...”.

En mayo de 1984 el Gobierno de Colombia desautoriza el uso del herbicida
paraquat y ordena, pese a la oposición de los expertos, el uso del glifosato.

En agosto de 1984 el Comité de Expertos añade: “el Comité reitera su oposición
de no haber recomendado la utilización de glifosato ni de ningún otro herbicida

por vía aérea en la destrucción de cultivos de marihuana (…) se desaconseja la
ejecución del programa porque sería aceptar la experimentación en humanos”.

Las fumigaciones comenzaron y hoy se utiliza en Colombia una mezcla de
glifosato, POEA y Cosmo Flux en un cóctel que la literatura científica desconoce

cual puede ser su impacto sobre la salud y el ambiente, pero además se usa a
una concentración entre 18 y 26 veces por encima de lo que permiten en Estados
Unidos solo sólo para el glifosato.

Hasta la fecha el Gobierno de Colombia no ha hecho ni un solo estudio científico

de los impactos sobre animales, población o ambiente, y las fumigaciones se
realizan sobre casas, escuelas, ríos, cultivos lícitos e ilícitos.

Desde enero del 2001 las comunidades del cordón fronterizo ecuatoriano han
sido afectadas por las fumigaciones realizadas por el Gobierno Colombiano en el
marco del Plan Colombia y de las operaciones de erradicación forzada de coca

en el Putumayo . Frente a esta situación organizaciones locales y nacionales,
profundamente preocupadas por los impactos en la salud, el medio ambiente y
la agricultura, han realizado varias visitas de verificación para documentar los
impactos.

Después de varias denuncias y demandas jurídicas al Estado Ecuatoriano, con el
fin de precautelar la salud y el medio ambiente de las comunidades asentadas en ANNEX 165

3

2
la zona fronteriza, el Gobierno Ecuatoriano solicitó formalmente a Colombia
que establezca una zona de seguridad de 10 kilómetros para las fumigaciones a
partir de la línea de frontera, petición que fue aceptada verbalmente por ese

país a través del General Gustavo Socha (Director de la Policía Antinarcóticos),
Dr. Richard Baca (Director de la Agencia Antinarcóticos –NAS- de la Embajada de
EE.UU.), Ing. Luis Parra (Asesor del NAS) y el Mayor Vargas en el taller realizado

por representantes diplomáticos de ambos países en Bogotá, en febrero del
2002. Sin embargo, en reiteradas ocasiones Colombia ha continuado fumigando
en la zona fronteriza violando incluso el espacio aéreo ecuatoriano.

Sobre los componentes de la Misión de Verificación

Este es un Informe Preliminar resultado de la observación directa de las personas
que conformaron la Misión de Verificación de los Impactos de las Fumigaciones.

Las últimas fumigaciones realizadas del 4 al 8 de julio del 2003, afectaron
nuevamente a las comunidades fronterizas. En esta ocasión, varias

organizaciones de derechos humanos, ecologistas, académicas y jurídicas, 3
agrupadas en el Comité Interinstitucional contra las Fumigaciones (CIF),
realizaron una invitación a los Ministerios de Relaciones Exteriores; Agricultura y
Ganadería; Salud; Ambiente, instituciones locales y organizaciones de la

sociedad civil para realizar un recorrido a la zona y verificar los nuevos
impactos.

4
El Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, designó a una persona quien se excusó
de viajar, a última hora, por la consecución de recursos internos para el viaje.

El Ministerio de Salud, también presentó su excusa, aduciendo que se encontraba

atravesando un paro médico.

Por tanto, los días 23 y 24 de julio de 2003, representantes de los Ministerios del

Ambiente, Agricultura, Consejo Provincial de Sucumbíos, Alcaldía de Lago Agrio,
Defensoría Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas, Radio Sucumbíos, La Hora,
delegados(as) de la Federación de Organizaciones Campesinas del Cordón
Fronterizo Ecuatoriano de Sucumbíos (FORCCOFES) y del Comité

Interinstitucional contra las Fumigaciones viajaron a la provincia de Sucumbíos
para realizar el recorrido por varias comunidades del cordón fronterizo y
verificar los impactos de las últimas fumigaciones en territorio ecuatoriano.

Las comunidades visitadas fueron Santa Marianita, Monterrey, Corazón Orense,
Puerto Escondido, Puerto Nuevo y Yana Amarun de la Provincia de Sucumbíos en
Ecuador; y, Dios Peña en el Departamento del Putumayo en Colombia (Ver

Mapa).

2Nota 55416/2001-GM/SOI/SSN del 2 de Julio del 2001 dirigida por el canciller Heinz Moeller al
Sr. Guillermo Fernández de Soto, Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores del Colombia.
3Acción Creativa, Acción Ecológica, Asociación Americana de Juristas; Asociación
Latinoamericana para los Derechos Humanos, Aldhu; Comisión Ecuménica de Derechos Humanos;

Comité Andino de Servicios; Fundación Regional de Asesoría en Derechos Humanos; Red de
4cción contra los Plaguicidas; y, Servicio Paz y Justicia, Ecuador.
Dr. Pablo Avilés, funcionario de la Dirección General de Asuntos Fronterizos.ANNEX 165

4

Sobre los impactos:

Las instituciones estatales y varias organizaciones de la sociedad civil
presentaron informes que, entre otros, señalan los siguientes efectos:

x El impacto de las aspersiones aéreas con glifosato, principalmente por el
efecto de deriva del viento, afectó a comunidades ubicadas a 2 y 3
kilómetros de la línea de frontera.
x La mayoría de las comunidades campesinas e indígenas se encuentran
bajo la línea de pobreza y se dedican básicamente al cultivo de productos

agrícolas para su subsistencia. Por su condición estructural de pobreza
son poblaciones altamente vulnerables en el campo de la salud.

A la salud

x Todos los informes presentados corroboran las afecciones a la salud,
medio ambiente y seguridad alimentaria.
x La población más afectada por las fumigaciones son los niños y niñas,
quienes presentan granos en la piel, comezón, dolor de cabeza, vómitos,
fiebre, dolor de estómago. Esto ha incidido en el bajo rendimiento y

deserción escolar.
x Los pobladores atribuyen la muerte de varias personas a las fumigaciones.
Desde el mes de enero del 2001 han fallecido 12 personas, que constituye
un alto porcentaje de acuerdo a las muertes registradas en los últimos
años. En las comunidades San Francisco 1 y 2; Reina del Cisne y Cóndor,

fallecieron 8 personas después de las fumigaciones del 2001, la mayoría
de ellas niños y niñas. Durante las fumigaciones realizadas de julio a
septiembre del 2002 fallecieron 4 personas más.
x En el campo de la salud los informes determinaron que en la población se
registraron síntomas como: dolor de cabeza, fiebre, mareo, vómito,

diarrea, conjuntivitis, dolor de huesos, alergias, hongos, rasquiña y
afecciones respiratorias. Los pobladores manifestaron que la intensidad
de algunas de estas enfermedades no eran comunes en la zona y que
después de las fumigaciones hay una propensión a enfermarse con mayor
frecuencia.

x Se recogieron además, muestras de sangre y plantas que, al momento de
la presentación de estos Informes, se encuentran en estudio.

A la producción

x Se resalta que las fumigaciones están poniendo en peligro la ya precaria
alimentación de las poblaciones, básicamente porque han dañado los
cultivos de ciclo corto como el maíz, yuca, arroz, cacao y plátano.
Muchos campesinos y campesinas perdieron y/o disminuyeron sus cultivos.
Por ejemplo en el caso del maíz que bajó la productividad de 25 a 4 y

hasta 1 quintal por hectárea. Reiteraron en señalar que este tipo de
enfermedades en las plantas no existían antes y que son causadas,
fundamentalmente por las fumigaciones. ANNEX 165

7

Adj.: Informe preliminar
SG/sg
INFORME PRELIMINAR DE LA INSPECCIÓN DE CAMPO DE
LA ZONA DE FRONTERA EN LA PROVINCIA DE SUCUMBIOS.

FUNCIONARIO: Dr. Santiago Gangotena V.

Director de Gestión Ambiental – MAG

FECHA: 23 de julio del 2003

LUGARES: Recintos: Santa Marianita y Corazón Orense de la Parroquia

General Farfán, Cantón Nueva Loja, Provincia de Sucumbíos

En Colombia se visitó un poblado pequeño llamado Dios Peña

ANTECEDENTE:

El Comité Interinstitucional contra las Fumigaciones con fecha 16 de julio del 2003
solicita al Ministro de Agricultura y Ganadería que delegue al Dr. Antonio Rodríguez,

para un recorrido en la zona de Frontera el día miércoles 23. El pedido es aceptado, sin
embargo el Dr. Rodríguez el día martes 22 hace conocer que no podrá asistir y solicita
que lo sustituya el Director de Gestión Ambiental, Dr. Santiago Gangotena.

Según la invitación, se detalla que entre el 4 y el 8 de julio se ha fumigado nuevamente

en el Departamento de Putumayo, entre 2 y 3 kilómetros de la frontera con Ecuador.

ACTIVIDADES REALIZADAS:

Se mantuvo reuniones de trabajo con representantes de dos organizaciones que son
Santa Marianita y Corazón Orense. En estas reuniones, la población aseguró que se
habían producido nuevas fumigaciones, aunque no precisaron las fechas (comentaron
que fue entre finales de junio e inicios de julio).

Se reportó que las fumigaciones provocan daños en las personas, las plantas y los
animales. En las personas, se presentan comezones, granos en la piel, dolores de cabeza
y afecciones oculares. En los animales se produce aborto en vacas, caída de pelo en
caballos y en las aves el número de pollitos nacidos vivos en la incubación es muy bajo
(uno frente a 9 que es lo habitual). En las plantas se comentó que durante las

fumigaciones anteriores bajó la productividad del maíz, de 25 a 4 qq por ha. así mismo
otros problemas en el Cacao, yuca, café, pastos y plátano.

A consecuencia de los daños mencionados a la agricultura se solicito realizar un

recorrido por los cultivos dañados y se seleccionó a la finca del Sr. Juan Gregorio
Cuajubuay, del recinto Santa Marianita. Los problemas agrícolas que se constataron
directamente se resumen a continuación:ANNEX 165

8

o En el Pasto

(Alemán y
Dallys) se
produce
muerte de la

planta, misma
que adopta la
coloración
amarillenta.

Según se
indica el
amarillamient
o de la planta

empieza desde
la parte
superior y
avanza hasta

la raíz. Al
extraerse la
planta de raíz, se aprecia que incluso ésta misma ya ha muerto.
o En el Plátano, se nota a simple vista en el amarillamiento de las hojas, en tanto
que el racimo se nota que el fruto toma una forma extraña, detiene su

crecimiento y se pudre. Al hacer un corte se ve en el centro una serie de puntos
de color café. Como refieren los campesinos, el proceso es irreversible, una vez
que le ha afectado la enfermedad, no se recupera y tan solo resta echar la
planta; tampoco se proporciona a los animales por temor a casarles daños. En el

Tallo del plátano se ven a manera de anillos la misma coloración café que se
observa en el fruto. Los campesinos identifican claramente las plantas enfermas
y saben que no hay solución.
o En el Cacao, básicamente se aprecia pudrición del fruto, toma un color café

oscuro que varia hacia negro. Al realizar un corte se ve por dentro las pepas de
cacao podridas.
o En el maíz la situación es parecida al pasto, con el añadido de que en la mazorca
el grano pierde tamaño, es decir se ve reducido.

No se observó otros cultivos pero el propietario manifestó que también se afecta la yuca
(y más rápido que el plátano) e igualmente las frutas como piña.

Para efecto de confirmar las causas de los daños re6istrados se tomó muestras de
productos dañados a ser enviadas al laboratorio , sin embargo los campesinos son
reiterativos en señalar que este tipo de enfermedades no había antes. El propietario
implica directamente a las fumigaciones como las causantes del problema e indica que

junto al río los daños son mayores.

La inspección se realizó a aproximadamente a 2000 metros de distancia del río San
Miguel que es el límite internacional entre Ecuador y Colombia.

OBSERVACIONES MÁS IMPORTANTES

6El día viernes 25 de julio, fecha en la cual se elabora el presenta informe se confirmó que los

laboratorios del MAG (SESA) actualmente no están en capacidad de identificar trazas o vestigios
de plaguicidas en los frutos ANNEX 165

9

1. Efectos en la agricultura

Frente a la carencia de
un resultado de labo-

ratorio que confirme o
descarte que los daños
agrícolas son ocasiona-
dos por las fumigaciones

dentro de denominado
Plan Colombia, es preci-
so resaltar que los indi-
cios reportados por los
campesinos son lo sufi-

cientemente valederos
para deducir que por lo
que respecta a la Agri-
cultura, las fumigaciones
son nocivas a los cultivos

agrícolas y por tanto es indispensable que el Estado Ecuatoriano precautele la
producción agrícola, máxime al tratarse de pequeñas economías que tienen como
principal fuente de ingresos la agricultura y en menor proporción la ganadería.

Por expresión de un campesino colombiano entrevistado durante la inspección, quien ha
recibido directamente las fumigaciones, se deduce además que las manifestaciones
patológicas de los cultivos son similares a las reportadas por los campesinos del lado
ecuatoriano, con la diferencia de que en Colombia, el aerosol les cae directamente
desde las avioneta, en tanto que en Ecuador, el efecto es de menor intensidad porque

las sustancias químicas usadas en la fumigación son solamente llevadas con el viento, o
quizá por medio del agua y de esta manera se comprende que los daños en el lado
ecuatoriano sean como islotes separados, mientras que en Colombia, la fumigación
arrasa con todo cultivo en amplias superficies.

2. Ausencia de servicios del Estado

Un problema igualmente grave es la casi completa ausencia de los servicios públicos,
salvo las aisladas brigadas médicas, se informa que los campesinos no reciben asistencia

alguna.

En el caso del MAG, pese al régimen de su reducción que ha atravesado, tiene sobre sí
la responsabilidad de aportar por la seguridad alimentaria, lamentablemente todos los

campesinos coinciden en señalar que no han recibido asesoramiento o capacitación
técnica.

Sin embargo, el problema de la ausencia de acompañamiento técnico y financiero en el
ámbito productivo, no solo es atribuible al sector público; se están realizando pequeños

proyectos puntuales por parte de ONG´s como el FEPP y Cruz Roja, pero no alcanzan a
cubrir las expectativas de los campesinos. Por su parte el proyecto a cargo de UDENOR,
según se indica concentra su atención a los centros poblados en obras de infraestructura
civil, pero no a nivel productivo en el campo.

RECOMENDACIÓN:

Según lo ha indicado, esta ha sido la primera inspección de campo efectuada con
representantes oficiales del Sector Público (Ministerios de Agricultura, Ambiente yANNEX 165

10

organismos seccionales Provincial y Cantonal), sin embargo, y más allá del rol regulador

o normador que se le asigna actualmente al Sector Público, esta debería ser la
oportunidad para que se busque mecanismos de coordinación y cofinanciación entre
diversos organismos públicos, por su puesto sin descartar el aporte de las organizaciones
de la denominada sociedad civil. Al tratarse de un problema ambiental que deriva en un
problema de tipo alimentario y en general de subsistencia, el MAG podría convocar a

organismos como otros Ministerios y las Universidades a efectos de juntar aportes que
aislados por su propia cuenta serían poco significativos. Una vez que se acepte la
necesidad de que el Sector Público apoye a encontrar soluciones, un nuevo nivel de
debate sería el del enfoque, y en ese caso conviene anticipar que los mejores resultados
se obtiene cuando los involucrados son convocados a que encuentren sus propias

soluciones, mediante procesos de planificación participativa que refleje el
reconocimiento de las potencialidades de desarrollo local pero a la vez sin perder
contacto con el entorno general, que implica opciones de mercado, comunicación,
tecnología, etc.

Dr. Santiago Gangotena V.
Quito, 25 de julio del 2003 ANNEX 165

Informe del Ministerio del Ambiente

ANTECEDENTES

En atención al oficio presentado al señor Ingeniero César Narváez Ministro de Ambiente,
emitido por Lina Cahuasquí, Miembro del Comité Interinstitucional contra las
Fumigaciones (CIF) con el propósito de conformar una Misión de Verificación de los

Impactos de las Fumigaciones, solicitando un delegado por parte de nuestro Ministerio,
para ello en base a sumilla inserta en el presente documento anexado, conformé parte
de esta Comisión.

RESULTADOS DE LA INSPECCIÓN

El día 23 de julio del 2003, nos reunimos en las oficinas de la Federación de
Organizaciones Campesinas del Cordón Fronterizo Ecuatoriano de Sucumbíos
(FORCCOFES) ubicada en Lago Agrio, los representantes de las siguientes Instituciones
Públicas y ONG.

Iván Piedra, representante de Acción Ecológica
Jenny España, representante de Acción Ecológica
Adolfo Maldonado, representante de Acción Ecológica

Luis Anrango, representante de la Defensoría del Pueblo Indígenas
Francisco Aucancela, representante de la Defensoría del Pueblo de Sucumbios
Martha Ordóñez, Secretaria de FORCCOFES
Lic. Lorgia Loayza, representante del ECORAE
Sandra Alarcón, Promotora del Consejo Provincial

Lina Cahuasquí, representante del Comité Interinstitucional contra las Fumigaciones
Daniel Alarcón, Presidente de FORCCOFES
Galo Jaya, representante de la Radio Sucumbios
Y el Suscrito Marcelo Morales, representante del Ministerio del Ambiente.

La primera Comunidad que visitamos es
Santa Marianita, los moradores del sector
acompañados de su Presidente el señor
José Ordóñez, refiere que viven alrededor

de 100 familias y aduce que “no se han
respetado los 10 kilómetros de la frontera.
Las avionetas violan nuestro espacio aéreo,
ingresan a nuestro territorio, se escucha
tiroteos, bombardeos, en el momento en

que las avionetas están fumigando”,
observan una llovizna de color café,
“nuestro recinto se encuentra a 2.500
metros del río San Miguel y los efectos

causados por las fumigaciones son
desastrosos tanto para nuestros cultivos
como para la salud de los moradores y
animales”.

“Dentro de los cultivos principales
teníamos:

x Cultivo de yuca, el corazón se

encuentra podrido de este productoANNEX 165

12

y se torna de color negro, el cual no es apto para el consumo humano.
x Cultivo de plátano, se marchita la planta, el tamaño del fruto no alcanza su
estado normal de crecimiento quedando en miniaturas, los animales cuando se
les da de comer estos productos les sale granos a manera de sarpullido y de
tanta picazón el animal tiende a decaer en su salud y muere.

x Cultivo de maíz, de igual forma, el producto de desarrolla, se perdieron grandes
cantidades de este cultivo por el efecto del glifosato que produce un secamiento
de la planta.

x Cultivo de arroz, produjo la quemazón de la planta y por ende la pérdida del
producto.
x Potreros, nuestros pastizales se quemaron, de igual forma el ganado vacuno,
ovino y caballar. Les dio sarna en todo el cuerpo e inclusive en la lengua al

ingerir la hierva contaminada con el químico, el agua de los esteros entre otros
alimentos.
x Criadero de peces, el glifosato cayó sobre nuestras piscinas y los peces
empezaron a morir .

x A las personas, al bañarnos en los esteros, río San Miguel nos causa, granos en la
piel, nos da dolor de cabeza, mareo nausea, dolor de estómago, gripe y
principalmente dolor del cuerpo, las fumigaciones han afectado grandemente a
la salud de nuestros habitantes e inclusive varias personas han fallecido con

estos síntomas como es el caso de:

- Betty Casanova de 22 años de edad, fallecida el 4 de agosto del 2002
- Esperanza Silva de 62 años de edad, fallecida el 6 de agosto del 2002
- Luis Baltasar, fallecido en septiembre del 2002”.

Comunidad de Monterrey

De igual forma con la presencia del Presidente de esta Comunidad, señor Felipe Maya,

indica que viven alrededor de 30 familias en el sector y los impactos causados por las
fumigaciones son los siguientes:

x Pérdidas de cultivos como el cacao, el cual no madura, el fruto no llega a
obtener su estado normal de crecimiento queda muy pequeño y se torna negro y

muy duro.
x El plátano se marchita, el café se seca en la planta.
x Las aves silvestres han desaparecido, ya no se les escucha trinar en las mañanas
ni en las tardes.

De igual manera en esta Comunidad existen dos muertos

- Edgar Andrade de 8 años, falleció en el mes de mayo del 2003.

- Gerardo Abundisaca de 90 años falleció el 1 de junio del 2003.

Comunidad Corazón Orense

Visitamos la Comunidad Orense y su vicepresidente señor Jacinto Coque, indica que

viven de 30 familias en el sector, la mayor parte son ecuatorianos, se encuentran a
2.000 metros de la frontera. Igualmente tienen los mismos problemas y han sido
afectados por las fumigaciones que se vienen produciendo desde al año pasado. Además
los moradores dicen que ya no cultivan como antes porque temen perder sus sembríos y

los terrenos se están volviendo infértiles lo que dificulta trabajar la tierra ya que los ANNEX 165

13

insumos para controlar las plagas están muy caros, adicionalmente indican que existe
mayor cantidad de insectos que atentan con la salud de las personas y animales.

Existen varios enfermos en ese sector como es el caso de la señora María Cáceres, quien
sufre de una enfermedad producida en la lengua por ingerir productos de la zona para

su dieta alimenticia, es de bajos recursos económicos por lo que no tiene dinero para
comprar alimentos de la ciudad.

El profesor de la escuela “Martín Luther King” señor Willian Chicaiza dice vivir por ocho

años en el sector y que sus alumnos presentan enfermedades como granos en todo el
cuerpo producido por un virus similar al paludismo y esto ha dificultado el rendimiento
de los niños, señala además que cuando fumigan existe un olor muy fuerte en el medio
ambiente, también se escuchan balaceras y bombas que estremecen nuestros suelos.

La producción de gallinas ya se está perdiendo debido a que no existe producción de
huevos y por ende , reproducción de los mismos.

Comunidad Dios Peña

La comunidad de Dios Peña es un recinto ubicado en territorio Colombiano, estas zonas
son muy olvidadas al igual que en nuestra frontera. Existe pérdidas en cultivos, de igual
manera presentan los mismos síntomas como fiebre, dolor de cabeza, ojos y piel
granosa. Un 70% de familias que viven en este sector son ecuatorianas. Observamos

también que existen cultivos de coca en la vía que nos lleva hasta la comunidad de Dios
Peña, los cuales no han sido fumigados.

Continuando nuestro descenso aguas abajo por el río San Miguel, llegamos hasta la
Comunidad de Yanamarun, un Centro kichwa. Con la directiva y moradores del sector

encabezados por su presidente Ricardo Noteno, exponen los efectos causados por las
fumigaciones, aduciendo que las avionetas fumigaron sobre sus territorios violando el
espacio aéreo ecuatoriano. Se puede observar pérdidas de cultivos como yuca, plátano,
cacao, arroz y maíz. Allí viven 20 familias y 50 niños, el 80% son ecuatorianos. Los

moradores temen continuar trabajando la tierra por temor a perder nuevamente sus
productos y también sobreviven de la caza y la pesca.ANNEX 165

14

Como último punto visitamos la Comunidad de Puerto Nuevo, de igual forma el
problema es similar en todo el cordón fronterizo, grandes pérdidas en cultivos y
enfermedades que atentan con la vida humana y animal.

CONCLUSIONES

Los efectos del Plan Colombia con las fumigaciones han afectado a los pueblos y

comunidades del cordón fronterizo, ocasionando grandes destrozos y pérdidas en sus
cultivos, ganadería, actividad avícola e inclusive han existido víctimas humanas
(muertes) de moradores del sector.

RECOMENDACIONES

x Exigir a la Presidencia de la República Colombiana que respete los 10
kilómetros para la no fumigación en el Cordón Fronterizo ya que existe vida
humana.

x Que la Cancillería Ecuatoriana exija al Presidente Colombiano que respete los
10 Kilómetros y no violen el espacio aéreo ecuatoriano.
x Que el Presidente de la República, Ingeniero Lucio Gutiérrez implemente
proyectos productivos en beneficio de las comunidades del cordón fronterizo

para evitar la destrucción de la flora y fauna de la Amazonía.
x Emitir una copia del Informe Interinstitucional al Ministerio de Salud para que
envíe brigadas médicas continuas a los pueblos del sector fronterizo y prevenir
epidemias y muertes humanas.

El presente informe se lo emite en base a la realidad palpada y visualizada en los
territorios de las comunidades del cordón fronterizo. ANNEX 165

Informe de la Defensoría Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas

INFORME DEL RECORRIDO DE VERIFICACION DE LOS IMPACTOS PRODUCIDOS POR LAS
FUMIGACIONES EN LOS TERRITORIOS DEL CORDON FRONTERIZO COLOMBO-
ECUATORIANO

Por invitación del Comité Interinstitucional contra las Fumigaciones (CIF) y la

autorización del señor Defensor de Pueblo (E) participé en el recorrido de verificación
de los impactos producidos por las fumigaciones realizadas dentro del Plan de Colombia
a la región fronteriza Colombo-Ecuatoriana, provincia de Sucumbíos.

Este recorrido se lo realizó los días 23 y 24 de julio del 2003, conjuntamente con
representantes de instituciones del Estado y delegaciones que conforman el
Comité Interinstitucional contra las Fumigaciones CIF, las mismas que fueron:

Participantes de la Misión

x Ministerio del Ambiente
x Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería

x Consejo Provincial de Sucumbíos
x Alcaldía de Lago Agrio
x Dirección Nacional de Defensa de los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas de la

Defensoría del Pueblo
x Delegada del Diputado Provincial de Sucumbíos, Julio González
x Comité Interinstitucional contra las Fumigaciones (CIF)
x Federación de Organizaciones Campesinas del Cordón Fronterizo Ecuatoriano de

Sucumbíos (FORCCOFES)
x Radio Sucumbíos
x Periódico La Hora

Día 23 de Julio del 2003

VISITA AL RECINTO SANTA MARIANITA

Iniciamos con la visita al Recinto Santa Marianita, en donde los pobladores nos
esperaban reunidos, José Ordóñez, Presidente de este recinto informó a la Comisión de
Verificación que, aquí viven aproximadamente 100 familias, y que están a 2 kilómetros y
medio de la frontera. La semana pasada, vio dos avionetas que cruzaron por encima del
río San Miguel (Límite entre Colombia y Ecuador) produciendo un enorme ruido que

espantó a todos. Las fumigaciones de julio, agosto y septiembre de 2002, han provocado
enfermedades como: granos, infecciones, fiebre, dolores de cabeza, especialmente en
los niños. Han fallecido a consecuencia de estas fumigaciones: Betty Casanova de 22
años, Esperanza Silvia de 62 años, el 4 de agosto del 2001, Luis Baltasar Cabrera de 70
años, murió en septiembre del mismo año. Carmelina Cabrera se encuentra en SOLCA;

Victoria Rivadeneira (ama de casa) se queja de dolor de cabeza, fiebre náusea, dolor de
huesos, granos, así también Gina Carvajal de 22 años, Magola Cantincuz e Isabel Reyes.

En cuanto a los sembríos: la yuca, el maíz, plátano, se han quemado, sus frutos se

pudren. Las mujeres de este Recinto tienen un proyecto de producción de harina de
plátano con ayuda de la Cruz Roja y han cultivado 60 has de plátano, el mismo que será
un fracaso a causa de las fumigaciones, los animales han muerto; los peces en los ríos
contaminados de igual forma.ANNEX 165

16

VISITA AL RECINTO DE MONTERREY

Felipe Maya, Presidente de la Asociación de Agricultores Campesinos de Monterrey,
afirma que aquí viven alrededor de 30 familias y que se encuentran a 2 kilómetros del
río San Miguel (frontera).

Luego de las fumigaciones de julio, agosto y septiembre del 2002, muchas fueron las
consecuencias que afectaron a este Recinto, como la aparición de enfermedades a los
ojos, problemas a las vías respiratorias, granos, dolores a la garganta, tos, hongos en los

pies, náusea, dolores de cabeza.

Han fallecido Gerardo Aguinsaca de 90 años de edad, Segundo Rafael Perenguez de 74
años, José Aguinsaca de 50 años.

No pueden consumir la papaya, el verde, la yuca, el plátano, ya que les produce dolor
de estómago, tienen problemas de respiración. Asunción Cantos dice “antes de las
fumigaciones no tenían estos problemas, ahora, todo nos afecta”.

En la agricultura: el cacao, el maíz, arroz, plátano, yuca ya no producen, pues se

amarillan y se marchitan. Antes producía 20 qq. de maíz por 1 ha., hoy apenas se
cosecha de 1 a 4 qq. Quieren abandonar estas tierras para vivir y trabajar en paz, sin
fumigaciones, ni ladrones que han llegado.

El río Charapa de este Recinto está contaminado, pues a quienes se bañan aquí les
afectan a la piel. Han muerto animales como vacas, chivos y peces.

Manifiesta que con el ECORAE cultivaron mil plantas de plátano y se han perdido sus
productos. No tienen dinero para la compra de las medicinas y ninguna autoridad

aparece para prestarles auxilio. Se sienten abandonados.

VISITA AL RECINTO CORAZON ORENSE

La gente reunida en la Casa Comunal esperó a la Comisión. El vicepresidente señor
Merecindo Padua, afirma que los niños y padres de familia tienen dolores de cabeza,
granos, problemas de respiración. Aquí viven aproximadamente 70 familias. Solamente
la Cruz Roja es la institución que más les visita. Por aquí vienen y pasan los militares.
Están a menos de 2 kilómetros del río San Miguel. Manifestó que quieren salir de aquí

porque no hay seguridad y lo que se cultiva no produce nada y que cada vez más se
complica la vida.

Padua indicó “En septiembre del 2002 cruzaron las avionetas fumigando, seguidas de

helicópteros, provocando terror en la gente y en los niños de la escuela,
inmediatamente se dañaron y quemaron las plantas y productos y vinieron
enfermedades raras, la semana pasada fumigaron las avionetas y se cruzaron a nuestro
territorio. El año pasado fallecieron tres personas después de las fumigaciones: 1 niño, 1
joven y 1 adulto”. Estas fumigaciones afectan a las personas, animales, naturaleza y al

ambiente. Víctor Moras, padre de familia manifiesta que los escolares y colegiales
sufren un decaimiento y no están rindiendo normalmente en sus clases.

El Plan Colombia nos trajo esperanzas al inicio, porque ofreció proyectos de desarrollo,
sin embargo, ahora resulta todo lo contrario, nos ha traído solo males y muertes.

UDENOR no se ha hecho presente”. Para sobrevivir tienen que salir a la ciudad a buscar
trabajo, acotó el dirigente. ANNEX 165

17

La señora Piedad Cuenca, llorando pide se respete las vidas de la población, pues tiene
un niño enfermo que nadie le puede curar. En los hospitales y clínicas le acusan de que
quiere aprovecharse del Plan Colombia. El profesor de este Recinto, señor Wilmar
Chicaiza, confirma que lo manifestado por los pobladores es verdad. Que trabaja, 8
años aquí y que antes de las fumigaciones no habían estas enfermedades. “Los niños no

asisten a las escuelas, la gente se encuentra muy preocupada y muy aterrorizada.
Mueren animales, las gallinas que anidan apenas salen de 12 huevos, con un solo pollito.
Están fumigando sobre nosotros, aquí se dan la vuelta las avionetas, a una altura
mínima, seguidos de dos o tres helicópteros que le resguardan”.

VISITA AL RECINTO DE DIOS PEÑA

Cruzando el Río San Miguel, en el lado colombiano llegamos al recinto Dios Peña, en
donde el profesor Luis Alberto Garrido, indica que con la primera fumigación de agosto

de 2002, los huertos han muerto y que han aparecido enfermedades desconocidas y que
incluso hay fallecidos. Que la institución AFILADOR vacuna mensualmente a las
personas. Que los niños son los más afectados con escalofríos, fiebre, dolores de
cabeza, irritación a los ojos, gripe, granos, decaimiento. Que se ha dado una deserción
escolar en un 20 por ciento. “Antes de la fumigación tenía 45 niños, ahora tengo 20”

añadió Garrido.

Día 24 de julio del 2003

VISITA A LA COMUNIDAD INDÍGENA KICHWA DE YANA AMARUM

De Puerto Nuevo nos dirigimos a la comunidad Kichwa Yana Amarum, que queda al lado

derecho de la orilla del río San Miguel. Juan Escobar dirigente de esta comunidad afirma
que aquí viven 20 familias, de los cuales 50 son niños. Afirma que cruzan a territorio
ecuatoriano (violando la soberanía nacional) 2 avionetas fumigando y le siguen 3
helicópteros. “Hacen 2 o 3 pasadas volando bajito, más o menos a 30 metros de altura,

desde las 6 de la mañana hasta las 6 de la tarde. Estas avionetas botan un líquido por
encima de nuestras, chozas y escuela, y como consecuencia acaban nuestros sembríos:
maíz, yuca, plátano, café, contaminan el río y el ambiente; se dan la vuelta aquí. De lasANNEX 165

18

consecuencias de las fumigaciones de julio, agosto y septiembre de 2002, recién se nos
estamos recuperando, sin embargo, con las fumigaciones de la semana pasada,
nuevamente tenemos que soportar los impactos”.

El profesor bilingüe Rógulo Grefa y 4 familias más, tuvieron que abandonar la

comunidad por temor a la inseguridad, enfermedades y más problemas. Luego de las
fumigaciones aparecieron las mismas enfermedades como en los demás recintos y queda
un olor a químico que va pasando a los 5 días, luego de una lluvia. Las aguas en los ríos
contienen como manchas de aceite. Se ha terminado la caza y la pesca. No quieren

militares extranjeros ni nacionales. Hay preocupación por el Decreto Ejecutivo de Zonas
de Reserva y Áreas de Influencia que militariza 20 kilómetros de la frontera desde el Río
San Miguel hacia el interior de territorio ecuatoriano. Este es un misterio para la
comunidad y quieren conocer su contenido para saber a qué atenerse. Ricardo Noteno,
dirigente de la Comunidad, confirma esta realidad y pide que esta Comisión apoye para

conocer el alcance de este Decreto y exija al Gobierno y demás autoridades
competentes, que no se fumigue a 10 kilómetros de la línea de frontera con el Ecuador.

VISITA A PUERTO NUEVO

Es un pueblo nuevo que vive de la agricultura y del comercio. Las señoras en la reunión
mantenida, afirman que con las fumigaciones han aparecido plagas como moscas que
pican a los animales y les producen gusanos. Las vacas paren crías deformes o muertas.
A las gallinas y perros les afecta a los ojos, no pueden comer y mueren.

Los niños como siempre son los más afectados. Han fallecido una niña y una señora. Hay
muchos niños enfermos, los mismos que han dejado de asistir a la escuela.

La señora Yolanda Pantoja de 33 años de edad, es una de las víctimas, tiene problemas

de respiración, se agrava por las noches. Su niño también se halla enfermo, todo esto a
consecuencia de las fumigaciones de julio, agosto y septiembre del 2002.

CONCLUSIONES

Ø Hay plena coincidencia en las denuncias que presentan los pobladores de los
recintos y comunidades, con respecto a los impactos negativos contra las personas,
animales, naturaleza y ambiente, producidos por las fumigaciones dentro del Plan
Colombia.

Con respecto a las familias, son los niños los más afectados, quienes
inmediatamente después de las fumigaciones de julio, agosto y septiembre del 2002,
fueron atacados con granos y sarnas en la cabeza, cuerpo y extremidades; fiebre,
dolores de cabeza, decadencia y muerte. Esto motivó deserción escolar, provocando

como consecuencia, también el retiro o cambio de algunos profesores; es decir, no
permite el normal desarrollo de los procesos educativos.

Ø Las madres y padres de familia, han sido afectados, con dolores de cabeza,

fiebre, hongos, problemas de respiración, incluso han fallecido.

Ø Los efectos de las fumigaciones también se observan en la salud y economía de
familias enteras, a tal punto que se encuentran desesperadas, en total crisis de pobreza
y psicosis, razón por la que algunas familias, han abandonado sus tierras porque ya no

producen como antes de las fumigaciones.

Ø Los animales presentan enfermedades en la piel y del sistema respiratorio e
incluso han muerto por beber agua y comer hierba contaminadas. Las vacas han parido ANNEX 165

19

crías deformes o muertas, los pollitos mueren inmediatamentedespués de la

fumigación.

Ø En lo que tiene que ver con la agricultura y ganadería de subsistencia, se
encuentra aun más deteriorada, por cuanto las fumigaciones, afectan a sus cultivos,
como plátano, yuca, cacao, que se pudren internamente y no permite que se desarrolle

normalmente, haciendo que se convierta en basura no asimilable ni para los animales
domésticos. Igualmente el maíz, queda solo en tusa y en la mayor parte se pudre antes
de ser cosechados.

Ø El aire se ha contaminado, produciendo en la gente dolor de cabeza, fiebre,

gripe, dolor de garganta, tos, problemas respiratorios. Han expresado que luego de la
fumigación, queda un olor a químicos en el ambiente. Además, los ríos también se han
contaminado, pues al carecer de agua potable o, por lo menos, entubada,
obligadamente utilizan el agua de los ríos para uso doméstico y para su baño personal,
provocando como es natural enfermedades internas y a la piel.

Ø Se han quejado ante la Comisión, que en julio y agosto del 2002 y el 4, 5 y 6 de
julio del presente año, las avionetas han fumigado volando muy bajito (a 30 metros de
altura más o menos) acompañadas de 2 y 3 helicópteros, produciendo ruidos espantosos
que siembran terror en los pobladores especialmente en los niños. Además, que dan la

vuelta en territorio ecuatoriano, invadiendo la soberanía nacional.

PEDIDOS A LAS AUTORIDADES COMPETENTES

LØs autoridades competentes del Ecuador, no han asumido con
responsabilidad y más bien hay un ocultamiento de la problemática y abandono
en esta grave situación a los pobladores que constituyen fronteras vivas entre

Colombia y Ecuador.
Ø Es urgente la intervención de los Ministerios de Relaciones Exteriores, Salud,
Bienestar Social, Agricultura y Ganadería, Educación y del Ambiente, en defensa de la
vida de la población; el territorio; el ambiente y apoyar con proyectos de desarrollo
integral a todos los pobladores de los recintos y comunidades ubicados en la frontera.

ØEs pedido unánime de los pobladores, que el gobierno de Colombia se
comprometa a no fumigar a 10 Kilómetros de la frontera con Ecuador y no afecte a la
población ecuatoriana.

SUGERENCIA

Señor Defensor del Pueblo, por lo que personalmente he constatado, junto con los
demás integrantes que conformaron la Comisión, es urgente que la Defensoría del
Pueblo juegue un papel más efectivo, pidiendo al Gobierno de Colombia, se
comprometa a no fumigar a 10 kilómetros de la frontera con Ecuador para que, de esta

manera, no afecte a la población ecuatoriana que sin culpa alguna se hallan soportando
las consecuencias. Además que las autoridades competentes del Ecuador como el
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería, Ministerio de
Salud Pública, Ministerio de Educación y Cultura, Ministerio de Bienestar Social y otros,

atiendan y defiendan a los hermanos ecuatorianos que se encuentran sufriendo una
situación sumamente grave.
Quito, 25 de julio del 2003

Luis Alberto Anrango B.
DIRECTOR NACIONAL DE LA DINAPIN
DEFENSORIA DEL PUEBLOANNEX 165

20

Informe del Consejo Provincial de Sucumbios

INFORME DE VISITA A LAS COMUNIDADES DEL CORDÓN FRONTERIZO AFECTADAS POR
LAS FUMIGACIONES DEL PLAN COLOMBIA LOS DIAS 23 Y 24 DE JULIO

ANTECEDENTES

El Cordón Fronterizo hasta el año 2001 se caracterizaba por ser zona de excelente
producción y mantener un ecosistema equilibrado, una biodiversidad diversa, su
entorno ambiental conservado por su propia naturaleza, la vida del hombre era

saludable y armonizaba con sus actividades cotidianas, la zona es poblada por familias
de diferentes provincias del país, además existen comunidades ancestrales como Kichwa
y Cofán. Sucumbíos está ubicada al Nororiente del Ecuador, limitada al Norte con la
República de Colombia, está dividida en siete cantones y subdividida en veinte y seis

parroquias rurales, siete urbanas, tiene una extensión territorial de 18.612 kilómetros y
una población de 129.995 habitantes, según el censo de 2001. Tiene además una
diversidad de pueblos y nacionalidades como los Secoyas, Sionas, Kichwa, Shuar y
Cofán.

A partir del 2001, se implementa el Plan Colombia en el vecino país con el fin de
eliminar los cultivos ilícitos, según versiones, aplican químicos como el glifosato, vía
fumigación aérea. Durante este proceso se ha observado un cambio negativo en el
convivir de las comunidades aledañas como el campo productivo, económico, salud y en

la seguridad social.

INTEGRANTES DE LA COMISION INTERINSTITUCIONAL

El día 23 y 24 de julio se integró la Comisión de Visita al cordón fronterizo de la

siguiente manera:

- Luis Andrango – Defensoría Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas
- Lorgia Loayza – ECORAE
- Silvia Meléndez – Municipio de Lago Agrio

- Iván Piedra – Adolfo Maldonado – Acción Ecológica
- Daniel y Sandra Alarcón- FORCCOFES
- Galo Jaya- Radio Sucumbios
- Marcelo Morales – MAE

- Lina Cahuasquí – Comité Andino de Servicios
- Juan García – Gobierno Provincial Sucumbios

Las comunidades visitadas son las siguientes:

x Santa Marianita con 100 familias y 60 niños
x 5 de Agosto con 20 familias y 20 niños
x Monte Rey 30 familias y 20 niños

x Corazón Orense 30 familias y 60 niños
x Puerto Camacho 20 familias y 20 niños
x Puerto Nuevo 300 familias y 400niños
x Yanamarun 34 familias y 50 niños ANNEX 165

21

Situación económica. La población antes de las fumigaciones mantenía una situación
aceptable que le permitía satisfacer sus diversas necesidades porque existía una
producción y un comercio fluido con el vecino país, a consecuencia de las fumigaciones
se ha palpado que estas actividades han disminuido sustancialmente por tal razón la
economía en la frontera está debilitada.

Situación de salud. La salud de los habitantes en esta zona y durante el proceso de las
fumigaciones hemos palpado y observado hasta la actualidad enfermedades
desconocidas, con síntomas nunca antes vistos en la mayoría de las población. De

testimonios y observaciones que se hizo se pudo notar algunos síntomas: como dolor de
cabeza, de estómago, de huesos, afecciones pulmonares, vómito, diarrea, hongos en la
piel, también afecta la salud de los animales como ganado vacuno bovino, caballar y
aves en general. Podemos anotar que las consecuencias de estas enfermedades
desconocidas ha causado algunas muertes de hombres, mujeres y niños como ejemplo

citaré lo siguientes:

Betty Casanova de 22años
Esperanza Silva de 62 años
Luis Alcázar Cabrera

Edgar Andrade de 8 años
Gerardo Anguisaca de 90
años, estos casos son de
2002 al 2003.

Situación agropecuaria. De
igual manera se pudo
constatar, en la mayoría de
las comunidades, que las

plantaciones y la producción
está afectada de una
manera significativa por
ejemplo el plátano, la yuca,

el maíz, café, cacao, pastos
frutales se hallan con características de enfermedades desconocidas para los habitantes
de la zona, entre ellas podemos citar manchas negra, pudriciones de frutos,
deformaciones y degeneraciones de los frutos, pastos secos, y la débil producción
existente es de mala calidad.

Situación social . Según versiones y testimonios de los ciudadanos y como es de
entender es Cordón Fronterizo donde están asentados, en el territorio colombiano,
grupos irregulares los que causan la zozobra y el miedo, ha generado el desplazamiento

de familias a nuestro territorio lo que permitió que exista la alteración de la seguridad
social, debo de anotar que, a lo largo del recorrido, existió abandono de seguridad por
parte de las fuerzas policiales y militares.

Situación ambiental. Con la presencia de grupos irregulares en la zona de frontera en

el lado colombiano, hace que se produzcan atentados contra el oleoducto colombiano
que transporta el petróleo, produciéndose grandes derrames y principalmente la
combustión dando como resultado la contaminación del aire, provocando estos gases y
el humo, efectos en la salud de las personas y alteraciones de las condiciones climáticas
de la zona. Durante la visita pudimos observar la quema de tres pozos y esta inhalación

de gases producen trastornos en la salud. Además pudimos constatar residuos de
petróleo a orillas del río San Miguel a la altura de la comunidad de Puerto Camacho.

Demandas de la Comunidad. Las comunidades en general demandan que:ANNEX 165

22

- El Gobierno Central, Provincial y Local implementen programas de salud.
- El Gobierno Central mediante mecanismos diplomáticos, exija la firma de un
Acuerdo de respeto de 10 kilómetros de no fumigación en el lado colombiano.
- Que el Gobierno Central derogue el Decreto Ejecutivo, que declara Áreas de

Reserva y Zonas de Influencia al Cordón Fronterizo.
- Que el Gobierno de turno indemnice a los afectados y remedie el impacto
ambiental.

CONCLUSIONES

1. Durante el proceso de fumigación en la frontera se han presentado
enfermedades desconocidas para la población y que hasta la actualidad se puede
observar daños sistemáticos con las personas como afecciones respiratorias, de

piel, digestivas, nerviosas.
2. En los cultivos se observa daños, en las plantaciones de cacao, café, plátano,
yuca, maíz, arroz y también la quemazón de pasto.
3. Existe un efecto psicológico en la población, que ha obligado a que muchos de
ellos abandonen sus fincas ante la zozobra de los problemas sociales de la

frontera y el deterioro general de la economía, sin recibir la atención a sus
planteamientos.
4. El deterioro general del ecosistema, según versiones de los moradores existen
especies nativas con síntomas de enfermedades desconocidas.

5. El Plan Colombia, en general, constituye para nuestras comunidades afectadas,
una violación a los derechos económicos, sociales, culturales y ambientales,
siendo los pueblos indígenas los sectores más vulnerables.

RECOMENDACIÓN

x Es urgente la implementación de programas y proyectos que mejoren y
recuperen la producción y la salud de la población fronteriza.
x Profundizar e impulsar los procesos de investigación para determinar los

gastos que han producido daños humanos, ambientales de cultivos y
animales, iniciados por organismos sociales.
x Exhortar al Gobierno Nacional que inicie los trámites diplomáticos para
suspender la fumigaciones en la frontera norte.

x Que se proceda realizar un estudio de valoración a los daños producidos
en la biodiversidad y exigir la indemnización y remediación
correspondiente.
x Que se implementen planes de atención social y psicológica para la

población afectada, especialmente niños, niñas y jóvenes. ANNEX 167

National Congress of the Republic of Ecuador,
Commission for Health, Environment, and Ecological Protection,

Congressman Miguel López Moreno,
Report of the Visit to Communities on the Border Cordon of the Province of
Sucumbíos (12-15 Dec. 2003) ANNEX 166

[seal]

REPUBLIC OF ECUADOR

NATIONAL CONGRESS

REPORT OF THE VISIT TO COMMUNITIES ON THE BORDER

CORDON OF THE PROVINCE OF SUCUMBÍOS

12 – 15 December 2003
Congressman Miguel López Moreno

Member of the Health, Environment and Ecological Protection Commission

IMPACTS OF THE SPRAYINGS ON THE POPULATION OF THE
SECTOR

[…]
[PAGE 2]

[…]

SYNTHESIS OF RESULTS

▯ Santa Marianita Community

The heaviest sprayings were conducted between 3 and 4 October 2002, by

planes that invaded national territory, to carry out sprayings directly over
Ecuadorian territory.

[PAGE 3]

[seal]

REPUBLIC OF ECUADOR

NATIONAL CONGRESSANNEX 166

These affected the crops, animals and people’s health. The following were

observed among the immediate effects: miscarriages, premature births and
congenital deformities (although it has not been established which ones),
respiratory problems, and death of animals due to ingestion of contaminated
water and grass.

There were health problems before the sprayings, but as a result of the
sprayings, these problems have increased, especially respiratory problems,
skin diseases, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, burning of the eyes, and

nutrition problems, among others.

Its residents reported the death of family members due to the impacts of the
sprayings.

In addition, they reported a marked decrease in the productivity of the land,
there are fewer yields per hectare, which contributes to further deterioration
of living conditions, increases poverty and nutritional problems, greater

migration in search of economic alternatives, and greater school drop-out,
since it becomes more difficult to keep boys and girls in school.

▯ Corazón Orense Community

The population and leaders report greater migration of people due to
agricultural downturn, lack of support from government institutions; they
demand greater support from the campesino organization and projects that

guarantee the border campesino better agricultural conditions, such as
irrigation, and access to credit and marketing facilities for their products.

▯ Luis Bermeo Community

This community is more distant than the previous ones. There, in addition
to the direct effects of the sprayings on health and agriculture, there is
evidence of desperation among the residents on account of the abandonment

by health authorities. They report greater population migration to their
provinces of origin, such as Loja and Manabí. ANNEX 166

The impacts of the sprayings were confirmed in the three precincts: skin
disorders, respiratory problems, and constant headaches.

The population in the area reports that several people became sick and died

after the sprayings.

Likewise, residents reported harmful effects on crops, animals, and

contamination of water used for human consumption. All others also have a
direct impact on health because they increase the levels of malnutrition,
especially in children and pregnant mothers.

[PAGE 4]

[seal]
REPUBLIC OF ECUADOR

NATIONAL CONGRESS

x Primero de Mayo Pre-Cooperative

As in previous visits, the deplorable state of health of the population was
evident. Five months after the last fumigation, severe skin conditions were

still apparent, and the inhabitants report headaches, nausea and vomiting in
periodic episodes. The population indicated contamination of the
environment and plants by the fumigations.

x Puerto SAN Francisco 1 and 2

Because of the fumigations the plants have been burnt, and in addition,
greater skin problems and low school performance have been observed, and

8 children died from vomiting and abdominal pain. Also, some animals that
took contaminated water and pastures have died, and the reproduction
processes of birds and animals have been affected, including miscarriages
and the deaths of newborn animals.

The population also indicates, in addition, a loss of energy and strength in
their upper extremities (peripheral neuropathy).ANNEX 166

x MEETING WITH SOCIAL AUTHORITIES AND
ORGANIZATIONS OF THE PROVINCE

After ascertaining the health situation in the communities visited, a working
meeting was held. The Ombudsman, the President of the Association of
Doctors, delegates from the Mayor’s Office and the Prefecture, leaders of
civil organizations interested in the issues, and directly affected populations,

in addition to the organizations FORCOPES and ACOPSAS were in
attendance.

[…]

[PAGE 5]

[seal]
Republic of Ecuador
National Congress

x CONCLUSIONS

1. The Ecuadorian population in Sucumbios, on the border with
Colombia, suffers the effects of the direct fumigations undertaken in
the national territory.

2. It is evident that, the health situation in the communities visited has
deteriorated because of the fumigations, not only due to direct
effects on the health of people from the spraying of substances, and

direct contact with the skin and mucus glands, but also due to the
ingestion of contaminated water and food.

3. The health effects described by the populations coincide with those
described in specialized technical studies undertaken in the area to

evaluate the impact of the fumigations. These are: skin problems
and poisoning manifested in rashes, dizziness, nausea, vomiting,
abdominal pain, neurological problems, and respiratory problems.
All of these are indications of organophosphate poisoning, which is ANNEX 166

compatible with the products used in the aerial fumigations being
carried out in the area.

4. Also, the technical studies corroborate the environmental effects, the

contamination of the air, water and soil, as well as the effects on
crops and animals. This has led to a deterioration of agriculture.

5. The institutions corroborate the migration problem of the
communities, a migration which is not voluntary, but is more a
displacement caused by the produced consequences.

6. Technical studies have identified, by chromosomal studies and blood
analyses, alterations compatible with a higher predisposition to
developing cancer in people affected by the fumigations in an
alarming manner.

7. An increase in mortality figures in the communities is indicated.
Unfortunately, there are no reliable statistics which allow
corroboration of this information.

8. The population, institutions and organizations of the province
demand the National Congress take the necessary actions to
guarantee the protection, attention and respect for the integrity of the

border populations. ANNEX 166

. ANNEX 166

. ANNEX 166

. ANNEX 166

. ANNEX 166

. ANNEX 166

. ANNEX 168

Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA),

The Plan Colombia Aerial Eradication Program for Illicit crops – An analysis of
the 2003 Dept of State Certification to Congress (25 Feb. 2004) ANNEX 167

Asociación Interamericana para la Defensa del Ambiente

Interamerican Association for Associaão Interamericana para a Association Interaméricaine pour
Environmental Defense Defesa do Meio Ambiente la Defense de l’Environnement

FEBR2U 0A2RY,

THE PLAN COLOMBIA AERIAL ERADICATION PROGRAM FOR ILLICIT CROPS –
AN ANALYSIS OF THE 2003 DEPARTMENT OF STATE CERTIFICATION TO

CONGRESS

Prepared by Anna Cederstav (Staff Scientist, Earthjustice and AIDA) and Astrid Puentes (Legal

Director, AIDA)

The Andean Counterdrug Initiative section of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and

Related Programs Appropriations Act, Division E, Consolidated Appropriations Resolution,
2003, (P.L. 108-7) (“FOAA”), requires that funds for the procurement of chemicals for use in
aerial eradication of illicit crops in Colombia only be made available if the Department of State
1
(“DoS”) certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that certain condition are being met. In
December 2003, DoS released a Report on Issues Related to the Aerial Eradication of Illicit
Coca in Colombia (“DoS Report”), in which it asserted that those conditions have been met.

This analysis describes the deficiencies of the DoS2Report, and outlines some critical concerns
with the Plan Colombia aerial eradication program.

A thorough look at the DoS report demonstrates that the FOAA conditions have not been
satisfied. For example, DoS fails to demonstrate that the spraying does not pose unreasonable
risks of adverse effects on the environment, or that complaints of harm to health or legal crops

are appropriately evaluated and fair compensation provided. We therefore urge the Committee
on Appropriations to withhold funding for the chemical eradication program until DoS
demonstrates full compliance with the conditions.

The lack of evidence of region-wide decreases in coca production, the displacement of coca
crops, and the harm caused to national parks and local economies, raise concerns regarding the
long-term value and appropriateness of the spraying program. At the same time, personnel

changes within Colombian agencies previously opposed to the spraying, a lack of compliance
with Colombian court decisions, and intimidation of human rights and environmental advocates
suggest an anti-democratic trend in Colombian governance associated with the spraying

program. We therefore request that Congress conduct an in-depth independent review to assess
the impacts of the US drug-eradication efforts in Colombia on sensitive and protected natural
areas and ecosystems, socio-economic trends in rural Colombia, and democratic institutions and

processes within Colombia.

In addition to the specific shortcomings of the DoS certification described below, there are

several general concerns listed at the end of this analysis. These include concerns about the lack

1See Appendix A.
2See Appendix B for background and further information on the Aerial Eradication Program in Colombia,
including communications between Earthjustice or AIDA with DoS and EPA.ANNEX 167

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

1. DoS does not fully utilize EPA expertise on matters of environmental and human
heath protection.

As discussed above, DoS has not provided the detailed information that would allow EPA to
conduct a complete and independent assessment of the environmental and human health risks

associated with the spraying program. Because DoS has little internal experience with protection
of health or the environment, DoS cannot accurately certify compliance with conditions related
to these issues without much more active and informed participation by EPA. To effectively

assist DoS, EPA experts should be provided the opportunity to travel to Colombia to obtain data
from independent sources and Colombian government agencies, observe the spraying program

first-hand, and provide in-country technical assistance. Only with complete access to relevant
information can EPA accurately assess whether the spraying poses a risk of human or
environmental harm, and help DoS and the GoC implement measures to reduce such harm. 49

2. DoS attempted to circumvent the Congressional requirement regarding compliance
with the Colombian Environmental Management Plan

Last year, Congress specifically changed the language of the FOAA to include a certification

requirement that “the herbicide mixture is being used in accordance with… the Colombian
Environmental Management Plan for aerial fumigation.” During the 2003 certification process,
DoS received communications regarding the many ways in which the spraying program fails to
50
achieve such compliance. However, rather than responding to those communications and
working to improve environmental controls for the program, DoS worked with the Colombian
government to modify the EMP with the result that the specific EMP conditions being violated
51
were either modified or eliminated as described above. These modifications now permit DoS
to certify compliance with the EMP.

52
Given the substantial changes made to the EMP in 2003, the DoS certification is disingenuous.
Congress likely incorporated the EMP in the FOAA with the expectation that DoS would

strengthen environmental protections for the spraying program by complying with the EMP.
Simply removing conditions from the EMP, instead of requiring that they be complied with,

undermines Congress’ intent as well as environmental protections and the legislative and
administrative process in Colombia. Moreover, when DoS consulted EPA regarding the

49
Complete access to information would include having the opportunity to interview Colombian government
officials and US Embassy staff in Colombia, to meet with local medical personnel and Embassy-contracted
toxicologists, and to review original documentation such as the environmental studies for regions to be sprayed,
flight records, monitoring studies, and reports of damages.
50June 13 and October 7, 2003, letters from Earthjustice to DoS.
51Department of State, Memorandum of Justification concerning the Aerial Eradication of coca and opium poppy in

52lombia, December 2003 (DoS Memorandum of Justification), Section 1C.
Substantive changes to the EMP include removal of the requirement for independent, external monitoring of the
spraying program, elimination of the prohibition on spraying in Colombian National Parks, and drastic reductions in
the buffer zones established to protect surface waters, population centers, and ecologically sensitive areas from
adverse effects due to spray drift.

16 ANNEX 167

potential environmental impacts of the spraying, the stricter EMP was in place. EPA’s
consultation regarding the spraying program might have differed had the agency known, for

example, that the DoS sought to spray in National Parks and with minimal buffer zones to
surface waters and population centers.

53
After the Ministry of Environment, Housing and Land Development (“the Ministry”) issued
the Resolution approving the changes to the EMP, Colombian organizations were notified and

provided an opportunity to comment. However, the Ministry misinformed these groups as to the
nature of those changes. Colombian NGOs and other authorities were incorrectly told that the
modification was merely a “reorganization” of existing requirements, and that except for an
54
increase in the spraying altitude, no substantive changes to the EMP had been made.

3. The silencing of the opposition in Colombia

During the past year, President Uribe’s stance in favor of eradication spraying has hardened,
with predictable consequences for those opposing the program. On June 29, 2003, in response to

a Colombian court decision ordering the immediate suspension of the spraying, Uribe publicly
stated, “let’s be honest, I will not stop the sprayings and as long as I am President, we will not
agree on that issue.” 55 One month later, Eduardo Cifuentes – the Colombian Public Defender

(“Ombudsman”) and an outspoken critic of the spraying – resigned. The interim Ombudsman
replacing him, Volmar Perez Ortiz, was handpicked by President Uribe and is not subject to
Congressional approval. With Perez Ortiz in charge, the Public Defender’s Office no longer

speaks out against the human rights impacts of the spraying.

A few months later, the former Presidential Advisor on Plan Colombia, Sandra Sua56z, was
appointed Minister of the Environment, Housing and Land Development. Though she has few
environmental credentials, Suarez now holds final responsibility for environmental oversight and

enforcement for the spraying program. There are also plans in Colombia to tighten the influence
the Ministry of Environment has over the National Parks Office. 57

Since 1993, the National Parks Office has been a “special administrative unit” that operates
autonomously under the Ministry of Environment. This means that the National Parks Office

has acted independently, and has had the ability to directly issue Regulations and Resolutions
regarding the management of the National Parks. This may soon be changed as the new Minister

of the Environment has announced intentions to “bring the Parks System back into the fold of the

53
The former Ministry of Environment was merged in 2002 with the Ministry of Development to form what is
54day the Ministry of Environment, Housing, and Land Development.
Witness accounts, October 2003 meeting between Colombian Ministry of Environment, Housing and Land
Development staff and civil society organizations.
55El País, Cali, June 30, 2003, “I won’t suspend sprayings”: Uribe, available at: http://elpais-
cali.terra.com.co/historico/jun302003/NAL/A430N1.html. See also Asamblea Permanente por la Paz, Press Release,

56ly 4, 2003, available at: http://www.asambleaporlapaz.org/asamblea/documentos/FUMIGACIONES2.html.
57Presidency of Colombia official website http://www.presidencia.gov.co/ministerios/ambiente.htm
Comunication from Nathaniel Christie with the US Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement
Affairs (INL), Jan. 30, 2004.

17 ANNEX 169

FIDH et al., Observations of the International Mission in the Ecuadorian Border
with Colombia (20-22 June 2005) ANNEX 169


Observations of the International Mission to Ecuador’s border with

ColombiaANNEX 169

Observations of the International Mission to Ecuador’s border with Colombia

[PAGE 12]

4. SPRAYINGS UNDER PLAN COLOMBIA

8
The following are dates and locations of reports of sprayings at the northern
border that relate strong impacts on the economy and security of the
population. It is worth mentioning that the spraying periods last several
weeks, and, in some places, these last eight hours a day.

Date LocaPtrovince

October 2000 Mataje Community Esmeraldas
October 2000 San Marcos Awá Community Carchi

January – February Communities of San Franciso I and II, Sucumbíos
2001 Nuevo Mundo, San Pedro del Cóndor

Oct – Nov. 2001 San Marcos Awá Community Carchi
Communities of Chone II, Playera
Oriental, Palma Seca, Puerto Nuevo,
August – Oct. 2002 Sucumbíos
Santa Marianita, 5 de Agosto, Puerto
Mestanza
Communities of Santa Marianita,

July 2003 Corazón Orense, 5 de Agosto, Puerto Sucumbíos
Mestanza
December 2004 Chical Community Carchi

December 2004 Frente al Azul Community Sucumbíos

April 2005 Limones Community Esmeraldas
May 2005 San Marcos Awá Community Carchi

In Sucumbíos, the population reported an increase in the deaths of people
during and in the period immediately following the sprayings. In the San

8 Furthermore, the spraying in 2003 of a primary forest shared by the Colombian and Ecuadorian Awá
peoples was reported.

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Observations of the International Mission to Ecuador’s border with Colombia

Francisco II Community, the deaths of 12 people were reported, including

the deaths of newborns in 2001 such as Carlos Manuel Castillo Sanmartín of
1 and a half months, Cecilia Tanguila, 3 months, and Elizabeth Calapucha, 9
months. The mother of the last indicated that “After her death, her body

turned purple, no one knows why: My daughter was chubby and white and
she died, it still pains me.” Some of these children were taken to the doctor,
who said they did not have anything serious; nonetheless, they died a few
hours later.

Moreover, in the year 2002 after the sprayings, 22 year-old Bety Casanova
died as a result of aggravated tuberculosis and 48 year-old Baltasar Cabrera

died after drinking contaminated water in the Santa Marianita Community.
In 2002, Mrs. Esperanza Silva died in the Monterrey Community. Nine-
year-old Edgar Geovany Andrade from the 5 de Agosto Community died in

2003 of brain tumor, detected three months after the sprayings; and, in that
same year, a woman, a son of Mr. Lucho Colmillo, and two children of a
Colombian displaced woman died in Puerto Nuevo. Two years later, Mr.
Álvaro Guevara died in Puerto Nuevo.

In August 2004, there was an outbreak in Chical, province of Carchi, where
a boy died. Authorities said it was due to the sprayings, but the Ministry of

Health said it was a rotavirus.

In the communities of San Francisco II, Santa Marianita, Corazón Orense, 5
de Agosto, Chone II y Puerto Nuevo, they reported an increase in women

having miscarriages and premature births. In the Yanamaru community,
five congenital malformations subsequent to the sprayings under Plan
Colombia were reported. It should be emphasized that there had been no

reports of any of these cases before the aerial sprayings. Also, an increase
in cancer cases in the border area was reported, where genetic testing done
to different women demonstrated, in its entirety, that 36% of the cells had

genetic damage.

The entire population of the border belt, which suffered during the spraying
periods, corresponds in that the symptoms were:

- Respiratory (nasal irritation, cough, asphyxia, and pneumonia);
- Digestive (vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea);

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Observations of the International Mission to Ecuador’s border with Colombia

- Ocular (watering, redness of the eyes and temporary loss of vision);

[PAGE 13]

- Cutaneous (bumps, itching, rash, white spots) and
- General (fever, headache…)

Community health promoters of the 28 de Marzo Community reported
severe diarrhea and bronchial problems during the sprayings. Moreover, the

following testimonies were collected:

“The children began getting headaches, sore throats, eye aches. My son

suffers from headaches and, after the sprayings, he no longer gets good
grades in school” (Health Promoter of the Santa Marianita Community).

“It was as if something had penetrated our skin,…now they spray farther in,
but everything is already ruined.” (San Francisco II Community).

“The Colombian children affected by the sprayings in the Tumaco area are

seen at the Maldonado Health Sub-centre and the main symptoms are skin
lesions and respiratory tract problems, acute scabies and piodermitis.
These symptoms have presented themselves for the past six months”

(Nursing Assistant in Maldonado)

At the Health Sub-centre in Palma Real, province of Esmeraldas, they said
that when the sprayings occurred two or three years ago, there was a

conjunctivitis outbreak, accompanied by respiratory tract problems, in
addition to diarrhea, skin lesions and itching.

INNFA Esmeraldas reported that after the sprayings in April 2005 they had
an increase in skin diseases. Some of these became chronic; and even lasted
more than two years. Special reference is made to white spots that appear

on the skin immediately after the sprayings and remain there to this day, as
well as lesions, a type of skin allergy, that flare up in the sun. The

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Observations of the International Mission to Ecuador’s border with Colombia

population associates these acute and chronic effects with the strong
irritating effect of the chemical used.

The population said that children now continue to have bumps with an
unusual frequency and there have been bizarre cases of hand paralysis. “I
feel as if my blood is spoiled, my skin goes numb and I am constantly sick,

the same with my children”. (Santa Marianita Community)

Malnutrition, a constant in impoverished communities, is reaching serious
levels as a result of the fumigations.

All the communities that were interviewed in Sucumbíos (Unión Lojana,
Chone II, Santa Marianita, Monterrey) reported that the land suffered the
impacts immediately after the sprayings and that short-cycle crops

disappeared in less than 15 days, leaving everything yellow. Moreover, the
Chone II Community reported the loss of crops that were supported by a
Project of the Lago Agrio Municipality. In this town, studies conducted by
Labsu (soil Laboratory in Orellana) showed that phosphorus concentration

in plants (at 3 kms from the border) was much higher than the concentration
in the soil and that the plants had been sprayed with chemicals.

All those living along the border agree that the sprayings have weakened the

soil quality and its production capacity. Not only were all the short-cycle
crops lost but to this day, four years after the sprayings began, the crops of
plantain, banana, baby banana [orito], yucca, maize, fruit trees and certain

aromatic herbs no longer yield the same quality or quantity as before. It is
reported that “even the cocoa comes out black”, which leads one to suspect
that either pests have been introduced or soil sterilization has been induced.
The population said they felt that they were victims of biological warfare.

Now, “the plantain burns on the plant itself, as if it had been thrown into
the fire” (Fuerzas Unidas Community); now, “one plants, but does not reap
” (28 de Marzo Community).

Agricultural engineers, working in Esmeraldas with cocoa and coffee
programs to prevent cultivation of coca in Ecuadorian territory have made it
clear that they know very well the effects of glyphosate, given that they use
it frequently for the control of certain weeds. They report that the impacts

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Observations of the International Mission to Ecuador’s border with Colombia

of the aerial sprayings under Plan Colombia in Ecuador on the plants,
plantain, maize and other foods do not correspond to the effects of
glyphosate. This type of lesion is not a trait of this chemical and, from their

experience as agricultural engineers, they are sure that the sprayings are
being done with other chemicals that are not being mentioned, perhaps
defoliants, because of the effects they have on trees.

“Today, two and a half years later, the land does not produce as before; in
the past, a hectare of maize yielded 35 quintals and now it does not even
reach 10 quintals. The plantain rots before ripening, as if it was burned, and

the yucca is bitter. What we plant does not grow; and we have been on this
land for more than 20 years and it was used to producing quite a lot; after
the sprayings everything is ruined.” (Santa Marianita Community).

[…]

[PAGE 14]

“With our hands on our hearts, they are killing us, we cannot live”. (Santa
Marianita Community)

In the communities of Esperanza and Quinchul, located 45 minutes from the

Chical Parish, the Police are receiving complaints from residents about
damages on the banana, pineapple, chontaduro, and that the plantain no
longer ripens as before. There is some type of worm on the naranjilla, and

moth on the flower. The children exhibit allergies, fungi, which are
attributed to bathing in contaminated waters.

“Before the spraying everything was fine, but, now, we have lost our health,

the life of the animals and plants; the plantain, baby-banana, banana and
the elefante, gramalote and Yamandú grass have been damaged; the fruits
no longer produce and die on the plant”. (San Pedro del Cóndor
Community)

In the communities of Chone, Puerto Mestanza, Trampolín, province of
Sucumbíos, there were also significant losses of cattle, horses, dogs,
chickens, and pigs. Those who had fish farms, as in Puerto Mestanza, lost

F I D H - F I A N - R A P A L - O C I M - C E A S - C I F ANNEX 169

Observations of the International Mission to Ecuador’s border with Colombia

9
majority of their fish. Moreover, agricultural experts from FEPP
acknowledged an increase of malformations and miscarriages in the cattle,

near the border during and after the sprayings.

The Mataje population, in Esmeraldas, has decided to not use the water from

the Mira River after the sprayings until the river “cleanses itself”, because it
carries the chemical, in its highly concentrated form, from the Colombian
lands; and, it has been found that after the sprayings, water-borne diseases

increase. It has been reported that after the sprayings the water tastes bitter.
Additionally, testimonies were taken from two people, one from Mataje, in
Esmeraldas, and the other from Santa Marianita, in Sucumbíos, who

coincided in stating that after receiving on their bodies the impact of the
sprayings, they bathed in the river and immediately an extensive skin
reaction began, as if the chemical was concentrated in the water.

“When the sprayings began, there was a lot terror. The right to life has

been violated, the food died, and with it life was affected. Now, most of the
effects are not seen, but the effects were severe, the children and adults were
sick, the waters were contaminated but we have to drink from that water,

otherwise, what can we do?” (Union Lojana Community)
* * *

[PAGE 15]

5. INTERNAL AND CROSS-BORDER DISPLACEMENT

“After the sprayings there is no good diet,
the land has been affected and so have we.”

(Victim, San Pedro del Cóndor)

This situation of abandoning the border is becoming a constant. In
Sucumbíos, displacement in communities reached a mean of 54% of the

9Translator’s note: FEPP stands for Fondo Ecuatoriano Populorum y Progreso (Ecuadorian Fund for
the Progress of the People)

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Observations of the International Mission to Ecuador’s border with Colombia

population. This mobilization arises from the loss of crops, cattle, animals,
and insecurity in the border.

Levels of internal migration in communities of Sucumbíos

Community Family-resib deotse Families
Plan Colombia Currently

Puerto Mestanza 86 4
Santa Marianita 50 41
5 de Agosto 80 24

Los Girasoles 44 28
Recuerdos del
Oriente 23 19

San Francisco 1 30 25
San Francisco 2 14 12
El Cóndor 70 27

Monterrey 56 30
TOTAL 453 families 210
Dated collected by the International Mission, June 2005

The internally displaced go mainly to Lago Agrio or return to their
provinces of origin such as Loja, El Oro, Esmeraldas, and so forth. Some

return after several years in the hope of selling their farms once the land has
recovered, “but the evil that they left us stayed here, and it will not go
away” (Recuerdos del Oriente Community)

“Before we used to live well, with a good diet and a profitable economy
because production was good. After the sprayings, the air, water, fish, soil,
and people were contaminated. And, there has been a strong migration.
The school, where we used to have 77 students and we were about to ask for

a new teacher, now has 42 students. About 18 young people have gone to
other provinces and 11 to Spain.” (San Pedro del Cóndor)

In Palma Real, province of Esmeraldas, there are only 250 houses for 900

families. Given the levels of poverty, there are no means to build new
houses, and the migrants are crowded together in the homes of their friends

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Observations of the International Mission to Ecuador’s border with Colombia

or relatives. In San Lorenzo and Palma Real, the schools do not have

sufficient capacity in relation to the students that they currently have.

In Carchi, some people request refuge, others only come until the

confrontation or fighting ends, and there are those who flee from the
violence of armed groups and do not register nor file complaints for security
reasons.

Carchi is currently assisting between 12 and 15 families monthly, 46 are
under consideration of their status, 32 families have settled in Tulcán. There
are 5 families with refugee status that live in San Gabriel, 1 in la Huaca and

1 in San Cristóbal.

However, these cross-border displacements to impoverished communities,

which have received these people in true solidarity, have been affected by
the unequal treatment from international agencies in the field. The
communities feel marginalized when attention is given to schools where
there are Colombian children and see that Ecuadorian children remain

unprotected. (Union Lojana Community).

F I D H - F I A N - R A P A L - O C I M - C E A S - C I FANNEX 169ANNEX 169
n° 434/3
Diciembre 2005

Observaciones de la misión internacional

a la frontera ecuatoriana con Colombia

20, 21 y 22 de Junio del 2005

FIDH, FIAN, RAPAL, OCIM, CEAS
&
CIF :
Defensoría Nacional del Pueblo, INREDH, Acción Ecológica,
CEDHU, Acción Creativa, FORCCOFES,
PUCE, CAS/AFSC, Plan País, SERPAJ,
Comité Provincial de Derechos Humanos del Carchi,

COPOCCAR, Fundación Altrópico, ECOLEX

Provincias de Carchi, Esmeraldas y Sucumbíos ANNEX 169

Observaciones de la misión internacional a la frontera ecuatoriana con Colombia

4. FUMIGACIONES DEL PLAN COLOMBIA

A continuación se recogen las fechas y lugares de denuncias Cabe señalar que los periodos de fumigaciones duran varias
6
de fumigaciones en la frontera norte, que han referido fuertesemanas y enalgunos lugares éstas duran 8 horas diarias.
impactos en la economía y seguridad de la población.

Fecha Lugar Provincia

Octubre 2000 Comunidad de Mataje Esmeraldas
Octubre 2000 Comunidad Awá de San Marcos Carchi

Enero-Febrero 2001 Comunidades de San Franciso I y II, Sucumbíos
Nuevo Mundo, San Pedro del Cóndor

Oct-Nov. 2001 Comunidad Awá de San Marcos Carchi

Agosto-Oct. 2002 Comunidades de Chone II, Playera Oriental, Palma Seca, Sucumbíos
Puerto Nuevo, Santa Marianita, 5 de Agosto, Puerto Mestanza

Julio 2003 Comunidades de Santa Marianita, Corazón Orense, Sucumbíos
5 de Agosto, Puerto Mestanza

Diciembre 2004 Comunidad del Chical Carchi
Diciembre 2004 Comunidad Frente al Azul Sucumbíos

Abril 2005 Comunidad Limones Esmeraldas

Mayo 2005 Comunidad Awá de San Marcos Carchi

En Sucumbíos la población ha denunciado el incremento de En agosto del 2004 se presentó una epidemia en Chical,

muertes de personas durante y en el periodo inmediatamente provincia del Carchi, donde murió un niño. Las autoridades
posterior a las fumigaciones. En la Comunidad de San Fran- dijeron que fue por las fumigaciones, pero el Ministerio de
cisco II se denunció la muerte de 12 personas, entre ellos laSalud dijo que se trataba de un rotavirus.

muerte en 2001 de recién nacidos como Carlos Manuel Castillo
Sanmartín de 1 mes y medio, Cecilia Tanguila, 3 meses y En las comunidades de San Francisco II, Santa Marianita,
Elizabeth Calapucha, 9 meses. La madre de esta última mani- Corazón Orense, 5 de Agosto, Chone II y Puerto Nuevo, se ha

festó que “Tras su muerte su cuerpo se puso morado, nadie denunciado el incremento de abortos en las mujeres y de
sabe por qué: Mi hija estaba gorda y blanca y murió, todavía nacimientos prematuros. En la comunidad de Yanamaru denun-
me duele”. Algunos de estos niños fueron llevados al médico, ciaron 5 malformaciones congénitas con posterioridad a las

quien dijo que no tenían nada grave, sin embargo a las pocas fumigaciones del Plan Colombia. Cabe recalcar, que antes de
horas fallecieron. las aspersiones aéreas no se había informado de ninguno de
estos casos. De igual manera, se informó un incremento de

Además, en el año 2002 murieron tras las fumigaciones Bety casos de cáncer en este sector fronterizo, donde las pruebas
Casanova de 22 años por tuberculosis descompensada y genéticas realizadas a diversas mujeres, en su totalidad demos-
Baltasar Cabrera de 48 por beber agua contaminada en la traron que el daño genético cubría un 36% de las células.

Comunidad de Santa Marianita. En el 2002 murió la señora
Esperanza Silva en la Comunidad de Monterrey. Edgar Geovany La población de todo el cordón fronterizo que sufrió durante
Andrade de 9 años de la Comunidad 5 de Agosto murió en los periodos de fumigaciones coincidió en que los síntomas

2003 por un tumor cerebral detectado tres meses después fueron:
de las fumigaciones y en el mismo año una mujer, un hijo del - respiratorios (irritación nasal, tos, asfixia y neumonía);
- digestivos (vómitos, dolores abdominales, diarreas);
Sr. Lucho Colmillo y dos hijos de una mujer desplazada de
Colombia murieron en Puerto Nuevo. Dos años más tarde - oculares (lagrimeo, enrojecimiento de ojos y pérdida de
murió el Sr. Àlvaro Guevara en Puerto Nuevo. visión temporal);

6. Además, se denunció la fumigación de un bosque primario compartido por el pueblo Awá colombiano y ecuatoriano en el años 200 3.

FIDH-FIAN-RAPAL-OCIM-CEAS-CIF / PAGE 12ANNEX 169

Observaciones de la misión internacional a la frontera ecuatoriana con Colombia

- cutáneos (granos, comezón, ronchas, manchas blancas) y En todas las comunidades consultadas de Sucumbíos (Unión
- generales (fiebre, dolor de cabeza...). Lojana, Chone II, Santa Marianita, Monterrey) se denunció

que la tierra sufrió inmediatamente los impactos después de
las fumigaciones y que desaparecieron los cultivos de ciclo

Los promotores comunitarios de la comunidad 28 de Marzo corto en menos de 15 días quedando todo amarillo. Incluso
denunciaron diarreas intensas y problemas bronquiales durante en la Comunidad de Chone II se denunció la pérdida de los

las fumigaciones. Además se recogieron los siguientes testi- cultivos que habían sido apoyados por un Proyecto del Muni-
monios: cipio de Lago Agrio. En esta localidad los estudios realizados
por Labsu (Laboratorio de Suelos de Orellana) demostraron

“Los niños comenzaron con dolor de cabeza, garganta, la que la concentración de fósforo en las plantas (a 3 kms de la
vista. Mi hijo sufre de dolor de cabeza y después de las fumi- frontera) fue muy superior a la concentración en suelo y que

gaciones ya no saca buenas notas en la escuela.”(Promotora las plantas habían sido asperjadas con químicos.
de Salud de la Comunidad de Santa Marianita)
Todas las personas que viven a lo largo de la frontera coin-

“Era como si algo hubiera penetrado en nuestra piel,… ahora ciden que las fumigaciones empobrecieron la calidad del
fumigan más adentro, pero ya todo lo dejaron dañado.” suelo y su capacidad de producción. No solo se perdieron

(Comunidad de San Francisco II) todos los cultivos de ciclo corto, sino que hoy, 4 años después
del comienzo de las fumigaciones, no se dan cultivos de

“Los niños colombianos afectados por las fumigaciones en el plátanos, guineos, oritos, yuca, maíz, frutales y determinadas
área de Tumaco se hacen atender en el Subcentro de Salud hierbas aromáticas ni con la calidad ni con la cantidad de
de Maldonado y la principal sintomatología son afecciones a antes. Se denuncia que “hasta el cacao sale negro” , lo que

la piel y a las vías respiratorias, escabiosis y piodermitis hace sospechar que se han introducido plagas o una esterili-
aguda. Estos síntomas se vienen presentando desde hace zación provocada de los suelos. La población manifestó sen-

6 meses.” (Auxiliar de Enfermería de Maldonado) tirse víctima de una guerra biológica. Ahora “el plátano se
quema en la mata, como tirarlo a la candela” (Comunidad

En el Subcentro de Salud de Palma Real, provincia de Fuerzas Unidas); ahora “se siembra, pero no se cosecha”.
Esmeraldas, dijeron que cuando se dieron las fumigaciones (Comunidad 28 de Marzo)
hace dos o tres años hubo una epidemia de conjuntivitis,

acompañada de afectación de las vías respiratorias; además Ingenieros agrónomos que trabajan en Esmeraldas en pro-
de diarreas, afectación a la piel y comezones. gramas de cacao y café para evitar el cultivo de coca en terri-

torio ecuatoriano, han aclarado que conocen bien el efecto
El INNFA de Esmeraldas denunció que después de las fumi- del glifosato, puesto que lo utilizan con frecuencia en algunos
gaciones realizadas en Abril del 2005 tuvieron un incremento controles de hierbas, y denuncian que los impactos en Ecuador

de enfermedades en la piel. Algunas de éstas se volvieron de las fumigaciones aéreas del Plan Colombia en las plantas,
crónicas incluso duraron más allá de los dos años. Se hace plátano, maíz y otros alimentos no corresponden al efecto del

especial referencia a manchas blancas que aparecen en la glifosato. El tipo de lesiones no son propias de este químico y,
piel inmediatamente después de las fumigaciones y que per- desde su experiencia como ingenieros agrónomos, están segu-

sisten hasta hoy; así como lesiones, tipo alergias de piel, que ros que se fumiga con otros químicos no mencionados, tal vez
se avivan con el sol. La población asocia estos efectos agudos defoliantes, por el efecto que hace en los árboles.
y crónicos, al fuerte efecto irritante del químico utilizado.

“Hoy, dos años y medio después, la tierra no produce como
La población refiere que los niños ahora siguen con granos antes, antes daba como 35 quintales la hectárea de maíz y

con una frecuencia poco usual y que se han dado extraños ahora no se alcanzan los 10 quintales. El plátano se pudre
casos de parálisis en las manos.“La sangre la siento dañada, antes de madurar, como quemado, y la yuca es amarga. Lo

se me entumece la piel y vivo enferma, mis hijos igual.” que se siembra no nace y en esta tierra llevábamos más de
(Comunidad de Santa Marianita) 20 años y se producía bastante, después de las fumigaciones
todo se daña.” (Comunidad de Santa Marianita)

La desnutrición, siendo una constante en comunidades empo-
brecidas, estaría alcanzando niveles graves a consecuencia “La papaya tenía una gran producción y ahora ya casi no existe.

de las aspersiones. La guayaba votó la flor. En la parte occidental de la provincia

FIDH-FIAN-RAPAL-OCIM-CEAS-CIF / PAGE 13 ANNEX 169

Observaciones de la misión internacional a la frontera ecuatoriana con Colombia

hay problemas pero en la oriental se escuchan explosiones, agropecuarios del FEPP reconocen un incremento de malfor-
granadas y morteros.” (Prefecto del Carchi) maciones y abortos del ganado cerca de la frontera durante

las fumigaciones y después de ellas.
“Con la mano en el pecho, nos están matando, no podemos
vivir.” (Comunidad de Santa Marianita) La población de Mataje, en Esmeraldas, ha decidido no utili-

zar el agua del Río Mira después de las fumigaciones hasta
En las comunidades de la Esperanza y Quinchul, ubicadas a que “el río se lave”, pues éste transporta el químico de forma

45 minutos de la parroquia Chical, provincia del Carchi, la muy concentrada desde tierras colombianas y se ha descu-
Policía está recibiendo quejas de pobladores que se presen- bierto que tras las fumigaciones, las enfermedades transmi-
tan daños en el banano, piña, chontaduro y que el plátano ya tidas por el agua se incrementan. Se manifestó que después

no madura como antes. A la naranjilla le cae una especie de de las fumigaciones el agua sabe amarga. Adicionalmente, se
gusano y a la flor una polilla. Los niños presentan alergias, recogió el testimonio de dos personas, una de Mataje en

hongos que atribuyen al baño en aguas contaminadas. Esmeraldas y otra de Santa Marianita en Sucumbíos, quienes
coincidieron al expresar que tras recibir sobre su cuerpo el
“Antes de fumigar todo era bueno, pero ahora se ha perdido impacto de las fumigaciones, se lavaron en el río e inmediata-

la salud, la vida de los animales y las plantas, el plátano, el mente comenzó a aparecerles una gran reacción cutánea,
orito, el guineo se han perdido y las hierbas elefante, grama- como si el químico estuviera concentrado en el agua.

lote y Yamandú; las frutas ya no dan y se dañan en la mata.”
(Comunidad de San Pedro del Cóndor) “Cuando iniciaron las fumigaciones hubo mucho terror. Ha

sido violado el derecho a la vida, se murieron los alimentos, y
También, en las comunidades de Chone, Puerto Mestanza, con ello se afectó la vida. Ahora no se perciben los efectos
Trampolín, provincia de Sucumbíos, hubo pérdidas importan- tanto, pero los efectos fueron violentos, se enfermaron los

tes de ganado, caballos, perros, gallinas, y cerdos. Quienes niños, los adultos, se contaminaron las aguas, pero tenemos
tenían criaderos de peces como en Puerto Mestanza, sufrieron que tomar de esa agua, ¿porque qué hacemos?”(Comunidad

la pérdida de casi la totalidad de los peces, e incluso técnicosUnión Lojana)

***

FIDH-FIAN-RAPAL-OCIM-CEAS-CIF / PAGE 14ANNEX 169

Observaciones de la misión internacional a la frontera ecuatoriana con Colombia

5. DESPLAZAMIENTO INTERNO Y TRANSFRONTERIZO

“Tras las fumigaciones no hay buena alimentación,

la tierra está perjudicada y nosotros mismos.”
(Afectado de San Pedro del Cóndor)

Esta situación de abandono de la frontera se convierte enEsta movilización se da por la pérdida de cultivos, ganado,
una constante. En Sucumbíos el desplazamiento de las animales y la situación de inseguridad de la frontera.

comunidades alcanza una media de 54% de la población.

Nivel de migración interna en comunidades de Sucumbíos

Comunidad Familias residentes antes Familias actualmente
del Plan Colombia

Puerto Mestanza 86 4
Santa Marianita 50 41

5 de Agosto 80 24
Los Girasoles 44 28

Recuerdos del Oriente 23 19
San Francisco 1 30 25

San Francisco 2 14 12
El Cóndor 70 27

Monterrey 56 30

TOTAL 453 familias 210

Datos recogidos por la Misión Internacional, Junio 2005

Los desplazados internos se dirigen principalmente a Lagomenor cobertura en relación a los alumnos con lo que ahora

Agrio o regresan a sus provincias de origen como Loja, El Oro,an.
Esmeraldas, etc. Algunos regresan después de varios años
con la esperanza de vender sus fincas una vez que la tierra serchi, algunas personas solicitan refugio, otras llegan

haya repuesto,“pero el mal que nos dejaron aquí quedó y no seamente hasta que pasen los enfrentamientos o combates
va”. (Comunidad de Recuerdos del Oriente) y hay quienes huyen de la violencia de los grupos armados y
no se registran o hacen denuncias por razones de seguridad.

“Antes vivíamos bien, con buena alimentación y con economía
rentable porque la producción era buena. Tras las fumiga-Actualmente en Carchi se atienden de 12 a 15 familias men-
ciones se contaminó el aire, el agua, los peces, el suelo y lasnte, 46 están en estudio de su estatus, 32 familias

personas. Y se ha producido una fuerte migración. En la escuelaasentadas en Tulcán. Existen 5 familias reconocidas que
donde teníamos 77 alumnos y ya íbamos a pedir un nuevo viven en San Gabriel, 1 en La Huaca y 1 en San Cristóbal.
profesor, se ha reducido a 42. Se han ido como 18 jóvenes a

otras provincias y 11 se han ido a España(Comunidad de Sin embargo, estos desplazamientos transfronterizos realiza-
San Pedro del Cóndor) dos a comunidades empobrecidas que acogen a las personas
con verdadera solidaridad, se han visto afectados por la des-

En Palma Real, provincia de Esmeraldas existen apenas 250igualdad en el trato que los organismos internacionales han
viviendas para 900 familias. Dado los niveles de pobreza noalizado sobre el terreno. Las comunidades sienten margina-
existe posibilidad de construir nuevas viviendas, y los migran-uando se presta atención solo a las escuelas donde hay

tes se hacinan en casa de amigos o parientes conocidos. Eniños colombianos y observan que los niños ecuatorianos
San Lorenzo y Palma Real las escuelas y colegios tienen unaedan desprotegidos (Comunidad Unión Lojana).

FIDH-FIAN-RAPAL-OCIM-CEAS-CIF / PAGE 15 ANNEX 170

Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense et al.,

Ecolex and AIDA Environmental Report on the Impacts of the Fumigations under
Plan Colombia (Nov. 2005) ANNEX 170

ECOLEX AND AIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT ON THE
IMPACTS IN ECUADOR OF THE FUMIGATIONS UNDER PLAN
COLOMBIA

[…]

From the beginning of the execution of the aerial fumigations to eradicate

coca and poppy crops under Plan Colombia, a variety of reports have been
generated regarding harm to the environment and human health. The
complaints that have been submitted even in Ecuador, the country
bordering Colombia, whose territory has also been impacted by the

eradication program in direct and indirect ways. With the aim of
verifying some of these reports, a group of Ecuadorian and international
organizations took part in a Mission which visited the provinces of
Sucumbíos, Carchi and Esmeraldas on the Ecuadorian-Colombian border

in June 2005.

[…]

[PAGE 5]
[…]

With the contamination of various resources in these high-biodiversity

areas, various species of fauna have been reduced and even disappeared
from the affected areas. According to the Awá indigenous people, one of
the indigenous communities that has been affected, “the animals have

decreased, the leaves have dried up. The produce turns hard, the maize
dries up leaving only the cob. There are no fish anymore. We do not
know if the environment is being poisoned in the capitals. We indigenous
people do not feel like indigenous people without our lands”.

The environmental effects in these areas are particularly grave, not only
for the impacts to biodiversity, but also because there is a greater presence
of villages with people of ancestral races, indigenous peoples and Afro-

Ecuadorians, to whom the land, in addition to being a space for cultural
reproduction, is also a means of agricultural production and self-
subsistence. These areas have been a natural provider which has given

them animals to hunt and fish, as well as a set of non-timber products such
as medicinal plants and other necessities to complement their nutrition
diet. Therefore, the environmental destruction caused by the fumigations
also impacts the life of the communities, their culture, diet, and territory.

1Community members, Guadualito Awá Center, Ricaurte Precinct, San Lorenzo Canton,
Esmeraldas, June, 2005. ANNEX 170

. ANNEX 170

. ANNEX 171

Marcella Ceballos and Carlos Duarte, Report of the Observation Mission on the
Human Rights Situation in Lower Putumayo (June 2008) ANNEX 171

Report of the Observation Mission on the Human Rights Situation in
Lower Putumayo

Bogotá, June 2008

[…]

[PAGE 15]
[…]

Since 2000, Putumayo has been the focal point for aerial fumigations with

a mixture of glyphosate and other compounds. The farms of many
families have been fumigated between six and eight times in a systematic
manner, making any crop impossible to sustain in the medium-term.
Because of the fumigations, the air and water have been contaminated

with glyphosate, affecting the natural ecosystem, which benefits the
environment of the entire country; the crops which guarantee the
subsistence and dietary security of the population; and the health of all of
the inhabitants of Putumayo (coca-growers and non-coca growers). In

addition, the indigenous authorities of the reserves and towns which form
the Permanent Working Group of the Cofán People expressed their
concern to us because traditional medicines have lost their efficacy, in that
the plants have all been killed. This has an additional effect on the culture

of the indigenous people in terms of the relationship they maintain with
their land.

[…]

[PAGE 16]
[…]

In this regard, it is also worth noting the generalized situation of poverty

among the families of the San Miguel municipality (towns of San Carlos
and Puerto El Sol), the Valle del Guamez municipality, and the rural area
of Puerto Asis. On 2 August 2007, 56 people belonging to the indigenous
town of Villanueva of the Orito municipality were admitted to the local

Orito Hospital with symptoms of poisoning, the majority of whom were
children and pregnant women. All of the people reported the fumigations
that affected fields, homes and the school of the Cofán indigenous group
as the cause, in a case which reached the national media.

[…] ANNEX 171

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▯▯
▯ANNEX 171

&▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯▯]▯▯▯ ▯▯
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▯▯▯
▯ ANNEX 172

Tim Johnson, “U.S. Seeks to Test Fungus That Kills Coca”,
THEM IAMIHERALD(Miami, Florida, United States, 3 July 2000) ANNEX 172

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Miami Herald, The (FL)

July 3, 2000
Section: Front

Edition: Final
Page: 1A

U.S. SEEKS TO TEST FUNGUS THAT KILLS COCA
TIM JOHNSON, [email protected]

On a tropical Hawaiian island, a killer fungus once ravaged a field of coca bushes that Coca-Cola hoped would provide flavoring for its soft drinks.

The plague in the 1970s ruined Coca-Cola's plan to buy coca outside the Andean region. But it excited counter-drug experts in Washington, who later spent millions of
dollars, some of it secretly, on a multi-year quest for a biological weapon to destroy the Andean bushes fueling the cocaine trade.

Now, under prodding from Washington, a United Nations agency wants to test the laboratory-grown fungus on a small plot in Colombia, where much of the world's coca
is grown. The proposal has whipped up a minor tempest. Opponents say the fungus might be toxic to farmers and wreak havoc on jungles that are treasures of
biodiversity. Advocates say the fungus may become a ``silver bullet'' to kill coca plants and leave other plants unaffected.

``Our experts tell us that it is worth trying,'' said Klaus Nyholm, director of the U.N. Drug Control Program's office in Colombia and Ecuador.
U.S. scientists say they don't know yet whether the fungus would safely kill the nearly 300,000 acres of coca grown in Colombia without affecting other flora, or even
human life.

``The tests show so far that it is a reasonably good control agent. But I wouldn't extrapolate from that that it will work in Colombia,'' said Eric Rosenquist, a national
program leader at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Research Service in Beltsville, Md. ``The ecology is different. There are competing organism s.''

COMPELLING REASONS
U.S. counter-drug experts, though, cite compelling reasons to experiment further with the fungus, fusarium oxysporum, considered a plant pathogen, or mycoherbicide.

For one, they say the fungus can be attached to seeds and dropped from high altitude. That beats the current strategy, in which U.S.-financed crop dusters buzz illegal
coca fields at 150 feet or so - sometimes risking a hail of bullets from the ground.

Gunmen have hit spray planes 36 times so far this year, U.S. officials say. Moreover, planes could fly at night to drop the fungus, using sensors to target coca fields.
``It looks incredibly promising,'' said Richard Baum, a policy analyst at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

``However, we are waiting for the results of tests, and will proceed only if the scientists working with the government of Colombia tell us that mycoherbicides are safe.''

Doubts exist whether a limited test in Colombia will even take place.
While aides to President Andres Pastrana have reportedly expressed a ``keen interest'' to the U.N. agency to test the fungus, Environment Minister Juan Mayr told The
Herald he is adamantly opposed.

``I told them, `Gentlemen, your project is not welcome,' '' Mayr said.

FLORIDA PLAN SHELVED
Last year, amid an outcry from environmentalists and ranchers, the state of Florida shelved a plan to test another strain of fusarium oxysporum agains t illegal marijuana
crops.

``If it's bad for [Florida], why is it good for us?'' asked Sen. Rafael Orduz, who called a hearing on the plan to test the fungus in early June.

For most of the last decade, the U.S. government has used chemical herbicides against coca plants in Colombia, fighting an overall losing battle.
A hunt for a biological alternative to chemical herbicides against coca began in earnest in 1987, with secret U.S. funding and classified research.

The research quickly focused on fusarium oxysporum, the same fungus that was identified through DNA testing as the cause of the wilt in Hawaii a decade earlier. That
wilt, contained to a tiny experimental field, affected the same species as illicit coca grown in Colombia.

Coca-Cola has relied on the coca leaf for flavoring since 1905, according to Rafael Fernandez, a spokesman in the company's Atlanta headquarters.
But the cocaine content is taken out under a process controlled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

U.S. research, for a while, focused on the malumbia moth, a relative of the gypsy moth but ``it proved unsafe,'' said Rosenquist, the USDA expert. The mo th attracted
hordes of wasps.

``We looked at vegetable dyesat might impede growth in a plant,'' he added, but that, too, proved ineffective.
NEW IMPETUS

The focus on fusarium oxysporum gained new impetus between 1990 and 1992, when an outbreak of the killer fungus hit Peru's Upper Huallaga Valley, its largest
source of coca.The fungus wilted tens of thousands of acres of coca.ANNEX 172

Some Peruvians believe the U.S. government surreptitiously introduced the plague to Peru, a charge U.S. officials deny vehemently.

As Washington's interest in the fungus grew, U.S. scientists tested it to see whether it would target only coca - or harm other plants as well.
``Over 100 plant species have been tested for susceptibility to this pathogen. None have been adversely affected,'' said a report released last month from U.S. drug czar

Barry McCaffrey's office.
The fusarium fungus is among the most common on Earth. Hundreds of strains exist, each one attacking a specific plant, like tomatoes, peppers or corn.

Virtually all cultivated plants have a fusarium specific to it.

Opponents of the fungus say the U.S. government is giving the plan a multilateral veneer by paying for U.N. testing of fusarium in Colombia. They also believe that
Washington will steamroll over Colombian reticence as a condition for letting loose on a huge nearly $1 billion counter-narcotics package.
Proposed use of the fungus has generated debate in scientific circles - and cries of alarm from concerned lay people over what they view as experimental biowarfare.

Some fear the fungus could mutate and threaten Colombia's delicate Amazon region, one of the most diverse regions on Earth, or release toxins that could sicken
humans with weak immune systems.

CLAIMS DISMISSED
The White House drug czar's office dismisses claims that the fungus might evolve to attack other plants besides coca.

``They . . . do not mutate to attack other plants,'' the report said, adding that humans would not fall sick as the fungus releases toxins during its life cycle. Any such
sickness detected during testing referred to ``immune-suppressed cancer patients whose defense levels were very low, making them vulnerable to alm ost any microbe.''

Such people, it said, ``would be hospitalized and quarantined and not exposed to coca spraying.''
Legal concerns have also arisen over the proposed testing.

`OUTOFBALANCE'

Orduz, the Colombian senator, said he is unhappy with clauses in the U.N. proposal that make Colombia's government solely liable should any problems arise during
testing, while it forgoes any intellectual right to the results.

``I'm no terrible nationalist but this strikes me as out of balance,'' he said.
The U.N. proposal calls for testing to occur on a plot no larger than ``a couple of hundred square yards,'' said Nyholm, the U.N. agency director, who add ed that he

believes such experimentation can occur safely.
``The feeling I get from our contacts is that the Colombians feel that this is politically - well, not dangerous - but sensitive,'' he said. ``I suppose this is because many
people who are not specialists see this with biological warfare in mind, which is not the case.''

WHAT IS FUSARIUM OXYSPRUM?
A soil-inhabiting fungus that comes in many forms, fusarium oxysporum, causes a widespread plant disease known as fusarium wilt or yellows.

Several hundred plant species are susceptible to the disease, mostly at temper atures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. At temperatures below 68 degrees, thediseaseis
greatly reduced.
Infected plants are usually stunted. Their leaves turn pale green to golden yellow and later wilt, die and drop off progressively upward from the stem b ase. Dark streaks

occur in vascular tissue of the roots and lower stem, while roots may decay and seedlings sometimes wilt and die.
The fungus survives in the soil and produces spores that can live for many years without access to living host plants.

SOURCES: Encyclopedia Brittanica, University of Vermont, Ohio State University.

Copyright (c) 2000 The Miami Herald

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Copyright Miami Herald Media Co. All rights reserved ANNEX 173

“Fumigation with Fungus Confirmed”, L (Quito, Ecuador, 23 Aug. 2000) ANNEX 173

NATIONAL Wednesday, 23 August 2000 A5

Fumigation with fungus is confirmed

Disclosures and allegations about fumigations with the poisonous

fungus were made by Colombian authorities at the Binational Conference
“What is Plan Colombia and How to Understand its Effects”, held last
Friday in Nueva Loja (Lago Agrio).

The representative of the Governor of the Department of Putumayo,
Alvaro Salas, said in his speech that the fungus Fusarium Oxysporum was
first used in his jurisdiction in November of last year and at least twice this
year.

The denouncement made by Salas was confirmed by the Mayor of
Puerto Guzmán, Bolivar Botina, also a participant in the conference.

Salas pointed out that the situation in Puerto Guzmán is alarming
because they are starting to have situations of hunger and misery; and, after
the fumigation there have been seven deaths, without having ruled out the
effects of the fumigation as the cause.

The Binational conference was attended by the Prefect of
Sucumbíos, Luis Bermeo; the Governor of Sucumbíon[sic], Jaime Delgado;
the Mayor of Lago Agrio, Máximo Abad; the Consul of Colombia in Nueva

Loja, Posada Manotas; Alvaro Salas Delegado, , delegated by the Governor
of the Department of Putumayo; Bolívar Botina, Mayor of the Puerto
Guzmán Municipality; Germán Yánez, President of the Supreme Court of

Justice of Sucumbíos; and, more authorities from this eastern province.

FUMIGATION IS RULED OUT

The Colombian Consul in Nueva Loja, Posada Manolas[sic],
appealed for calm among the people living on both sides of the border andANNEX 173

ruled out that the Colombian President, Andrés Pastrana, is determined to
fumigate coca crops.

“What is being sought with Plan Colombia is to heal a wound

through which Colombia has bled and continues to bleed.

To seek peace, provide the campesinos with a lawful activity by

means of alternative crops, not only to those in Putumayo but also to those
in Caquetá, Meza, Magdalena Medio. Moreover, he said, it seeks to
modernize the State, enhance justice, benefit the social sectors and recover
the ecology.

“WE ARE NOT PREPARED”

The Mayor of Lago Agrio, Máximo Abad Jaramillo, was concerned

with allegations made about the impacts that Plan Colombia would have in
the province of Sucumbíos.

Abad echoed the allegations made in the news Cable Noticias, aired

by TV Cable, in which they made assurances that planes and helicopters
were flying over, landing and taking off from Lago Agrio airport during
nighttime and dawn.

He called on the national authorities to directly provide a full report
on Plan Colombia because “we are not prepared to deal with the impacts
and consequences from said plan”, said Abad. ANNEX 173

. ANNEX 174

Antony Barnett & Solomon Hughes, “ICI Pulls Out of Cocaine War”,
THE OBSERVER(London, 1 July 2001) ANNEX 174

ICI pulls out of cocaine war

Antony Barnett and Solomon Hughes
The Observer, Sunday 1 July 2001 02.17 BST

larger | smaller

ICI has pulled out of the controversial US project to spray vast areas of Colombia with

herbicides in an attempt to eradicate its cocaine and heroin trade.
The British chemicals company's decision, which came after an Observer investigation

revealed its involvement, will be a major embarrassment to the US government and will
dent the credibility of the plan.

ICI does not want its name dragged into such a programme, particularly as there have
been reports of children in Colombia who have inhaled the chemicals falling ill.

The $1 billion programme, instigated by former President Bill Clinton, will also be hit by
revelations that an individual working for the US company fumigating the coca and

opium plants has been suspected of smuggling heroin back into the US.

According to an official document from the US Drug Enforcement Administration

obtained by The Observer, on 12 May last year Colombian police intercepted a parcel
sent from Dyncorp's Colombia offices to its base in Florida. The police found two small

bottles of a thick liquid which, when tested, was found to be laced with heroin worth
more than $100,000.

A Dyncorp spokeswoman said the company had investigated the issue and found no
evidence of wrongdoing.

ICI's decision to refuse to allow its products to be used is likely to worry the US
government. Hospitals in sprayed areas have reported increases in skin rashes,

diarrhoea, stomach aches and respiratory problems. Food crops have also been
destroyed and livestock poisoned.

In January, the US State Department claimed the only chemical used in the aerial
eradication is glyphosate. This pesticide, commonly known as 'Round Up', is made by

the biotech corporation Monsanto.

However, the department was forced to admit it was mixing the glyphosate in an

untested brew with another chemical called Cosmo Flux, a sticky soap-like substance
which helps the pesticides stick to the leaves of plants. One of its key ingredients is made

by ICI.

ICI was forced to admit its products were being used when presented with documents

from The Observer obtained by Colombian scientist Dr Elsa Nivía of the Pesticides
Action Network.

Ed Hammond of the US campaigning group Sunshine Project said: 'Massive spraying in
Colombia has been a hostile act against the environment and people that live there. The

decision by ICI not to have anything to do with this programme is sensible and will be a
wake-up call to Washington.'ANNEX 174

guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2009 ANNEX 175

“Colombia: Spraying Suspended”, BBC (26 June 2003) ANNEX 175

BBCMUNDO.COM

Latin America
Thursday, 26 June 2003 - 21:12 GMT

Colombia: spraying suspended

A study should be conducted on the consequences of herbicides
on human health.

Hector Latorre writes from Bogotá,
for BBC World.

A decision of the Administrative Tribunal of

Cundinamarca might suspend the chemical spraying of illicit drug crops
throughout the whole country.

The verdict The Government
orders the National Narcotics respects
Directorate to suspend the ruling but disagrees

aerial spraying of glyphosate, with it and will take
with polyethoxylated tallowamine appropriate action
("POEA") and cosmo plux [sic] in this case
throughout the whole country for

six months. Carlos Gustavo
Cano, Agriculture MinisterANNEX 175

In these six months, a study is to be conducted on the effects of the
herbicides on human health and legal crops, for which the court has called

upon the Ministry of Social Protection and the National University of
Colombia.

The Government responds

Alfonso Plazas Vega, head of the National Narcotics Directorate, the entity
responsible for the spraying, said that they will appeal the ruling of the
Cundinamarca court.

"We disagree with the ruling.

The court’s decision

does not have the
suspensive effect, that is,
it will be appealed” said Plazas
Vega.

The official regretted
that the court’s decision was made
precisely on the day in which the

International Day against Álvaro Uribe will have to
Drug Abuse and Illicit
Trafficking is commemorated. rethink his anti-drug strategy

To this effect, the Agriculture Minister, Carlos Gustavo Cano, said "the
Government respects the ruling but disagrees with it and will take
appropriate action in this case."

Plaintiffs speak

Héctor Suárez, an environmental lawyer, and one of the people who filed
the class action lawsuit against the spraying, told the BBC that the court’s
ruling will have significant consequences on the security policy of President

Álvaro Uribe. ANNEX 175

Suarez explained: "This This requires Uribe to

requires Uribe to rethink his strategy
rethink his strategy against illicit crops. First
against illicit crops. First of all, it obligates him to take
of all, it obligates him to measures necessary to protect

take measures necessary to protect the the Environment
Environment and ensure public
participation in the decision-making Héctor
process regarding illicit crops”. Suárez, environmental lawyer

Counsel Suárez said that the group of lawyers hopes that the government
will comply with the court’s ruling and conduct the necessary studies to
continue with the spraying.

Differences on chemicals

Although the plaintiffs find “countless pieces of evidence” regarding the

damages caused by the spraying, the United States Embassy in Colombia
says otherwise.

According to the Embassy, glyphosate “is approved by the EPA (acronym

in English for Environmental Protection Agency) for use on crops, forests,
residential zones and land near aquatic areas".

The embassy added:

"A recent comprehensive A recent comprehensive
review of research on of research on
glyphosate concluded that glyphosate concluded that
there is no evidence that there is no evidence that

warrants concern for warrants concern for
human health". human health

U.S. Embassy

in Colombia

But Hector Suarez, plaintiffs’ lawyer, said "they are trying to hide the sun
with one hand, but the reality is known by the peasants and the people in the
territories that are being sprayed."ANNEX 175

Aerial spraying is one of the main tools used to end illegal crops in

Colombia by President Álvaro Uribe Vélez in his fight against drug
trafficking.

This year Colombian authorities have sprayed more then 70,000 hectares of
illegal crops. ANNEX 175

América Latina
- Búsqueda en BBC Mundo

Colombia: fumigación en

suspenso
Notas relacionadas:

Escribe Héctor Latorre, desde Bogotá,

para BBC Mundo.

El gobierno respeta
el fallo pero no lo
comparte y tomará

las acciones
pertinentes en este
caso

Carlos Gustavo
Cano, ministro de Vínculos:
Agricultura

Nota:

Otros temas:

El gobierno responde

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_3024000/3024528.s… 175

Hablan los demandantes

Esto obliga a Uribe a
replantear la
estrategia para
luchar contra los

cultivos ilícitos. En
primer lugar lo obliga
a adoptar las
medidas necesarias

para proteger el
medio ambiente

Héctor
Suárez,abogado
ambiental

Diferencias sobre químicos

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_3024000/3024528.s… ANNEX 175

Un exhaustivo

examen reciente de
investigaciones
sobre el glifosato
concluyó que no

existe ninguna
prueba que justifique
la inquietud respecto
a la salud humana

Embajada de EE.UU.

en Colombia

Envíe este artículo a un amigo

Arriba ^^ [email protected]

Servicio Mundial de la BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_3024000/3024528.s… ANNEX 176

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Press Release,

Memorandum of Understanding is signed for the study of the effects of the
fumigation of illicit crops (13 Feb. 2004) ANNEX 176

REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

PRESS RELEASE

Memorandum of Understanding is signed for the
study of the effects of the fumigation of illicit crops

▯ Study focused on areas in which the Illicit Crop Eradication Program
Using Aerial Spraying with the Herbicide Glyphosate – PECIG is
being implemented.
▯ The study shall have a duration of one year and may be extended by

mutual agreement between the Parties.

Bogotá 13 February 2004

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolina Barco, and the Deputy Executive
Secretary of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission – CICAD
– Abraham Stein, signed a Memorandum of Understanding through which
the entity shall assess the impact of thIllicit Crop Eradication Program

Using Aerial Spraying with the Herbicide Glyphosate on human health and
the environment.
[…]
In the year 2001, Colombia asked CICAD to conduct an independent,
objective and impartial assessment of the PECIG, to determine the potential

harm on people, fauna, flora, and the environment, which could be
generated by the implementation of the program and, likewise, to analyze
the environmental impact of the fungicides and herbicides used in the
production of illicit crops; this, with the purpose of providing answers based

on the crop eradication policy implemented by Colombia.
[…]
“The Colombian Government promises to support this important process.
The cooperation and assistance provided under this project shall be subject

to the respect for national sovereignty, confidentiality, transparency and
veracity of the conclusions”, emphasized Foreign Minister Barco. ANNEX 176

REPÚBLICA DE COLOMBIA
MINISTERIO DE RELACIONES EXTERIORES

BOLETÍN DE PRENSA

Firman Memorando de Entendimiento para estudiar efectos de

fumigación de cultivos ilícitos

" Estudio concentrado en áreas donde se ejecuta el Programa de

Erradicación de Cultivos Ilícitos mediante Aspersión Aérea con el
Herbicida Glifosato -PECIG
" El estudio tendrá una duración de un año y se podrá prorrogar de común
acuerdo entre las Partes.

Bogotá 13 de febrero de 2004

La Ministra de Relaciones Exteriores, Carolina Barco, y el Secretario Ejecutivo
Adjunto de la Comisión Interamericana para el Control del Abuso de Drogas -
CICAD- Abraham Stein, firmaron un Memorando de Entendimiento a través del

cual la entidad evaluará el impacto en la salud humana y en el medio ambiente del
Programa de Erradicación de Cultivos Ilícitos mediante Aspersión Aérea con el
Herbicida Glifosato.

Con la suscripción del Memorando de Entendimiento el Gobierno de Colombia

reiteró su voluntad de participar en la iniciativa conducente a establecer el
monitoreo de la aspersión aérea en Colombia el cual estará a cargo de un grupo
de científicos expertos en esta materia, quienes integrarán el Equipo Científico de
Evaluación –ECE conformado por los señores Keith Solomon de Canadá,
Coordinador del ECE, Luz Helena Sanín de México, Antonio Cerdeira de Brasil y

John Marshall del Reino Unido. La CICAD se encargará de supervisar y hacer
seguimiento a las labores adelantadas por el grupo de científicos con miras a
garantizar el adecuado desarrollo de las actividades contempladas en el
mencionado estudio.

“Colombia es consciente de la importancia que tiene la cooperación para fortalecer
las actividades y proyectos que la CICAD desarrolla en todos los Estados del
hemisferio, razón por la cual reitera su compromiso en la lucha contra esta
problemática y su pleno apoyo a las actividades adelantadas por esa instancia

multilateral” precisó la Ministra de Relaciones Exteriores, Carolina Barco.

En el año 2001 Colombia solicitó a la CICAD la realización de una evaluación
independiente, objetiva e imparcial del PECIG, para determinar los eventuales
perjuicios que puede generar la ejecución del programa sobre las personas, la

fauna, la flora y el medio ambiente, así mismo, para analizar el impacto ambiental
de los fungicidas y herbic idas utilizados en la producción de cultivos ilícitos; loANNEX 176

anterior, con el propósito de dar respuestas sustentadas a la política de

erradicación de cultivos ejecutada por Colombia.

Durante su visita al país, el Secretario Ejecutivo Adjunto de la CICAD, Abr aham
Stein, el Jefe de Área de Desarrollo Alternativo del organismo, Jorge Ríos y el
Coordinador del Equipo Científico de Evaluación, Keith Solomon, definieron

aspectos de tipo logístico para el desarrollo de las actividades de monitoreo,
ajustaron el cronograma de actividades, acordaron los costos correspondientes al
desarrollo del proyecto e intercambiaron opiniones con las entidades nacionales
competentes en la materia, con miras a poder iniciar las actividades previstas en el

estudio.

La Comisión Interamericana para el Control del Abuso de Drogas se comprometió
a proporcionar los fondos para la ejecución de las actividades de acuerdo con el
cronograma de actividades; con lo cual el proyecto no generará erogación para el

erario colombiano.

“El Gobierno de Colombia se compromete a acompañar este importante proceso.
La cooperación y asistencia provista en virtud del presente proyecto se

desarrollarán con sujeción al respeto de la soberanía nacional, la confidencialidad,
transparencia y veracidad en las conclusiones”, enfatizó la Canciller Barco.

(FIN/PCO/CIE) ANNEX 177

“Parra Gil Demanded Colombia’s Compliance With Agreements From Barco,”
E LUNIVERSO(Guayaquil, Ecuador, 25 July 2005) ANNEX 177

EL UNIVERS2 OJ0525

PARRA GIL DEMANDED COLOMBIA’S COMPLIANCE WITH
AGREEMENTS FROM BARCO

Quito/

The Minister of Foreign Affairs [of Ecuador], Antonio Parra Gil, with the support

of civil society, complained to his Colombian counterpart, Carolina Barco, about
her country’s noncompliance with the four agreements previously signed by both
nations.

[…]ANNEX 177 ANNEX 178

“Imperturbable, Barco Listened to Parra,” ECIO
(Quito, Ecuador, 26 July 2005) ANNEX 178

COELERCIO 26 July 2005

IMPERTURBABLE, BARCO LISTENED TO PARRA

[…]

The least progress was made on the fumigations. Parra insisted on the
creation of a 10 km. strip from the border line, within which Colombia

would eradicate coca crops by manual processes and not by aerial
sprayings.

[…]ANNEX 178 ANNEX 179

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, Press Release No. 1121,

Ecuador Presents Protest Note to Colombia over the Resumption of Fumigations
(15 Dec. 2006) ANNEX 179

Ecuador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Press Release No. 1121
Quito, 15 December 2006

ECUADOR PRESENTS PROTEST NOTE TO COLOMBIA OVER THE
RESUMPTION OF FUMIGATIONS

[…]

On the other hand, on this date, Minister Francisco Carrión Mena sent a
communication to the Secretary General of the OAS, José Miguel Insulza, so that

he, as per his authority, submits this matter to the consideration of the regional
Organization.

Aside from this, the Ecuadorian Foreign Minister invited the Special Rapporteur

of the Human Rights Council on the “adverse effects of the movement and
dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment of human
rights”, as well as the Special Rapporteur on the “right of everyone to the
enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health”, also

of the Human Rights Council, to visit the border zone and draft a report over the
situation.

[…] ANNEX 179

Ecuador, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores

BOLETÍN DE PRENSA No. 1121

Quito, 15 de diciembre del 2006

ECUADOR ENTREGA NOTA DE PROTESTA A COLOMBIA POR REINICIO DE
FUMIGACIONES

El Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores informó que el día de ayer, a las 18:00 horas, el Canciller del
Ecuador Francisco Carrión Mena convocó a su Despacho al Embajador de Colombia en Quito, señor Carlos
Luis Holguín Molina, a quien hizo entrega de una nota oficial por la cual el Gobierno Nacional expresa su
más enérgica protesta por la decisión del Gobierno colombiano de reiniciar las fumigaciones áreas con

glifosato y sus coadyuvantes, en la zona fronteriza con Ecuador, y exigió el cese inmediato de las mismas.

Igualmente comunicó que por disposición del señor Presidente de la República, el Embajador del Ecuador
en Colombia, Alejandro Suárez, ha sido llamado en consultas a la Cancillería ecuatoriana.

Por otra parte, el Ministro Francisco Carrión Mena envió en esta fecha una comunicación al Secretario
General de la OEA, José Miguel Insulza, para que, conforme sus facultades, someta este asunto a
consideración del Organismo regional.

El Canciller ecuatoriano, por lo demás, invitó al Relator Especial del Consejo de Derechos Humanos sobre
los “efectos nocivos para el goce de los derechos humanos del traslado y vertimento ilícitos de productos y
desechos tóxicos y peligrosos”, así como al Relator Especial sobre el “derecho de toda persona al disfrute
del más alto nivel posible de salud física y mental”, también del Consejo de Derechos Humanos, para que

visiten la zona fronteriza, y elaboren un Informe sobre la situación.

Adicionalmente, el Gobierno ecuatoriano, procederá con las siguientes acciones:

1. Solicitará a la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos que conozca y actué en esta causa; e,

2. Insistirá ante el Gobierno colombiano para que, de manera conjunta, se establezcan los términos de
referencia para la realización de los cinco estudios científicos sugeridos por las Naciones Unidas para
determinar el impacto de las aspersiones con glifosato y sus coadyuvantes químicos, en la salud, ambiente y

producción agropecuaria, de acuerdo con el compromiso establecido en el Comunicado Conjunto de
Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, de 7 de Diciembre de 2005.

El Gobierno del Ecuador considera el reinicio de las fumigaciones por parte de Colombia como un acto

inamistoso, rechaza la decisión adoptada por el vecino país y exige la inmediata suspensión de las
aspersiones, causa de grave perturbación en las relaciones entre los dos países.

http://www.mmrree.gov.ec/Templates/print.asprl ANNEX 180

“Agreement with Colombia does not exclude possible claims for damages caused:
Correa”, E COMERCIO (Quito, Ecuador, 11 Jan. 2007) ANNEX 180

elcomercio.com

Agreement with Colombia does not exclude possible claims for damages
caused: Correa
11 Jan 2007

Quito, EFE

[…]

In a meeting in Nicaragua, where they met at the Presidential power transfer

ceremony, Correa and the chief of State of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe, agreed to
form a “tripartite commission,” along with the OAS, to study the impact of the
glyphosate used by Bogtá in the aerial anti-drug fumigations in the border area.

“They are going to inform us when they are going to fumigate on the border and

in which sector so that Ecuadorian inspectors can verify that not one drop of
glyphosate falls on the Ecuadorian side”, indicated the President-elect upon
arrival in Nicaragua.

He pointed out that if the tripartite commission says that Bogotá has to stop the
fumigations within a 10 kilometre strip of the border with Ecuador, “in principle,
Colombia will have to accept.”

[…] ANNEX 180

Acuerdo con Colombia no excluye posibles demandas por daños causados: Correa
1/11/2007

Quito, EFE

El presidente electo de Ecuador, Rafael Correa, señaló anoche que el acuerdo alcanzado con Colombia respecto a las
fumigaciones con el herbicida glifosato, no excluye el derecho de este país de continuar con posibles demandas si se

demuestra que han habido daños por el uso de ese producto en las aspersiones.

En una reunión en Nicaragua, donde coincidieron en la ceremonia de cambio de mando presidencial, Correa y el jefe del
Estado de Colombia, Alvaro Uribe, acordaron formar una "comisión tripartita", junto con la OEA, para estudiar el impacto
del glifosato usado por Bogotá en las fumigaciones aéreas antidrogas en la zona fronteriza.

"Nos van a informar cuando vayan a fumigar en la frontera y en qué sector para tener inspectores ecuatorianos para

verificar que ni una gota de glifosato caiga del lado de la frontera ecuatoriana", indicó el gobernante electo al llegar de
Nicaragua.

Puntualizó que si la comisión tripartita dice que Bogotá tiene que alejar las fumigaciones en una franja de 10 kilómetros
de la frontera con Ecuador, "en principio Colombia tendrá que aceptar".

Asimismo, acordaron que ambos países se pongan de acuerdo en los términos de referencia para un estudio prospectivo
del impacto del glifosato en zonas ecuatorianas.

El acuerdo incluye recoger testimonios de los pobladores fronterizos de ambos países, sobre todo en el lado ecuatoriano,
para verificar los posibles daños que causa el herbicida usado en las fumigaciones aéreas colombianas.

A su regreso a Quito, el jefe de Estado electo consideró que el acuerdo es "un inmenso paso adelante para superar el

impasse que tenemos con Colombia fruto de las fumigaciones con glifosato".

Pese a ello, Correa aclaró que "lo que hemos conversado no excluye que Ecuador, en su legítimo derecho, continúe con

demandas internacionales para exigir la compensación del daño ya causado por las fumigaciones con glifosato".

La relación de Ecuador y Colombia se mantiene tensa desde diciembre pasado por la reanudación por parte de Bogotá
de las fumigaciones con glifosato, un producto que Ecuador considera dañino, pero que Colombia señala como inocuo.

El canciller ecuatoriano, Francisco Carrión, presentó esta semana ante la OEA una demanda formal contra Colombia
para exigir el inmediato cese de las fumigaciones aéreas en la zona fronteriza, que estuvieron suspendidas entre enero y

noviembre de 2006.

Tras el diálogo en Managua, Correa reiteró su esperanza de que Uribe participe el próximo lunes, en Quito, en la

ceremonia en la que asumirá el mando para un período de cuatro años, según la Constitución.

"Esperamos (que venga), me ha casi asegurado (su presencia) y siempre será acogido con los brazos abiertos, como

todos los presidentes de las naciones hermanas", subrayó el mandatario electo.

Derechos reservados ® 2001-2009 GRUPO EL COMERCIO C.A.
Prohibida la reproducción total o parcial de este contenido sin autorización de Diario El Comercio

http://elcomercio.com/solo_texto_search.asp?id_noticia=56162&anio=2007&… ANNEX 181

“Correa and Uribe reach an agreement”,
EL COMERCIO(Quito, Ecuador, 11 Jan. 2007) ANNEX 181

elcomercio.com

Correa and Uribe reach an agreement
11 Jan. 2007

Carlos Rojas, correspondent in Bogotá and agencies

President Alvaro Uribe Vélez and the President-elect of Ecuador, Rafael Correa,
met yesterday in Managua, for approximately half an hour and reached an
agreement on the matter of the fumigations with glyphosate that Colombia carries
out in the border zone.

[…]

According to the information, President-elect Correa explained to the media the

four points of the agreement. According to the President-elect, it was decided
that each time Colombia initiates fumigations, Ecuador should be informed so
that it can send inspectors to verify that glyphosate does not pass to the

Ecuadorian side.

“We decided to establish a tripartite commission, Ecuador, Colombia, and a
delegate of the OAS, to verify three things: that when fumigations take place, no

glyphosate passes to the Ecuadorian side, directly or indirectly, that is, if it falls
on the Colombian side, the water runs through the ecosystems and contaminates
the river, and of course, the Ecuadorian side”, Correa pointed out, who added that

it was agreed also to set the terms of reference for a study that will determine if
glyphosate affects health or not. It was also agreed to collect testimonies from
both the Colombian and Ecuadorian sides.

Q:\International\Ecuador v Colombia\Annexes\Numbered\314\translation.doc ANNEX 181

Correa y Uribe llegan a un acuerdo

1/11/2007

Carlos Rojas, corresponsal en Bogotá y agencias

El presidente Álvaro Uribe Vélez y el electo Presidente de Ecuador, Rafael Correa, se reunieron ayer en Managua,
durante aproximadamente media hora y llegaron a un acuerdo en torno al tema de las fumigaciones con glifosato que
realiza Colombia en la zona fronteriza .

Así lo informó ayer la agencia oficial de noticias de Colombia, SNE, en un despacho proveniente de Managua, donde

ambos mandatarios asistieron a las ceremonias de posesión de mando de Daniel Ortega.

4 puntos
tiene el acuerdo al que llegó el

presidente electo Correa con

Uribe.

El anuncio del acuerdo fue seguido por otro anuncio desde Bogotá: que Álvaro Uribe sí asistirá a la trasmisión de mando
de Rafael Correa, el lunes venidero.

Según la información el presidente electo Correa explicó a los medios de comunicación los cuatro puntos del acuerdo.
Según el Presidente electo, se llegó a la decisión de que cada vez que Colombia inicie una fumigación el Ecuador sea

informado para enviar
inspectores, que verifiquen que no esté pasando glifosato al lado ecuatoriano.

“Decidimos hacer una comisión tripartita, Ecuador-Colombia y un delegado de la OEA, para verificar tres cosas: que
cuando se fumigue no se pase el glifosato al lado ecuatoriano directa o indirectamente, es decir, si cae del lado

colombiano también a través de los ecosistemas va a al agua y eso contamina el río y por supuesto el lado ecuatoriano”,
puntualizó Correa, quien agregó se acordó también poner los términos de referencia para un estudio que determinará si
el glifosato afecta o no a la salud. Asimismo, se acordó recoger testimonios del lado colombiano y del lado ecuatoriano.

Por otro lado, en Bogotá un portavoz del Gobierno colombiano confirmó que el presidente de Colombia, Uribe, asistirá a

las ceremonias de transmisión del mando del presidente electo, Rafael Correa, que se realizarn el 15 de enero próximo.
El canciller, Francisco Carrión, celebró la decisión del Mandatario, pero insistió en que Colombia incumplió con el
compromiso acerca de las fumigaciones.

Esta noticia se produjo al final de la tarde de ayer. Hasta entonces, la incertidumbre sobre la vista de Uribe era completa.

Por otro lado, la diplomacia colombiana calificó como un triunfo que la OEA no haya emitido ningún pronunciamiento en
su contra por la reanudación de las fumigaciones. En cambio, el Ecuador no tuvo la misma lectura, pues la intención era

poner en conocimiento de la comunidad internacional el tema, como lo anticipó el vicecanciller Diego Ribadeneira.
Ecuador presentó una demanda ante la Corte Interamericana de DD.HH.

Asimismo, el ministro de Defensa saliente de Ecuador, Marcelo Delgado, confirmó enfáticamente que en Ecuador no
existen plantaciones de coca ni focos guerrilleros que estarían entrenando a ecuatorianos, como fue denunciado hace
dos días. Lamentó que la Policía colombiana haya obviado mecanismos establecidos como la Comisión Binacional de

Frontera (Combifron) .

Un presidente que confirmó que no vendrá es el argentino Néstor Kirchner. Portavoces oficiales evitaron comenta r

informaciones de la prensa, según las cuales Kirchner busca evitar la “incómoda” presencia del presidente de Irán,
Mahmud Ahmadinejad, cuando la justicia argentina reclama la captura de nueve iraníes por el atentado que en 1994
causó 85 muertos en Buenos Aires.

Derechos reservados ® 2001-2009 GRUPO EL COMERCIO C.A.
Prohibida la reproducción total o parcial de este contenido sin autorización de Diario El Comercio

http://elcomercio.com/solo_texto_search.asp?id_noticia=56139&anio=2007&… ANNEX 182

“For Colombia, the Ecuadorian Position on the Lawsuit in The Hague is Absurd”,
E LUNIVERSO (Guayaquil, Ecuador, 11 July 2007) ANNEX 182

Wednesday, 11 July 2007

EL UNIVERSO
Politics | EL UNIVERSO.com

For Colombia, the Ecuadorian position on the lawsuit in The Hague is

absurd
Bogotá, EFE

The Colombian government today considered a lawsuit to be filed against it by

Ecuador before the International Court of Justice in The Hague regarding the
fumigations with an herbicide on the border as “absurd”.

The Ecuadorian President, Rafael Correa, emphasized this lawsuit against
Colombia in declarations made in Madrid.

[…] ANNEX 182

Miércoles 11 de julio del 2007

Política |

Para Colombia es absurda la postura ecuatoriana de demanda en La

Haya
BOGOTÁ

El Gobierno colombiano consideró hoy "absurda" una demanda en su contra por parte de Ecuador ante la Corte
Internacional de Justicia de La Haya por las fumigaciones con un herbicida en la frontera, actualmente
suspendidas.

El presidente ecuatoriano, Rafael Correa, hizo hincapié en esa demanda contra Colombia en declaraciones en
Madrid.

"Las fumigaciones con glifosato en la frontera con Ecuador se encuentran suspendidas a la espera de un
acuerdo sobre un mecanismo que determine el impacto real de las aspersiones sobre la población y el
medioambiente", dijo a Efe una alta fuente oficial colombiana.

Añadió que se aguarda que la comisión "haga recomendaciones sobre el particular, por lo que sería absurdo
proceder, como lo ha indicado el presidente Correa en Madrid, con una demanda contra Colombia (...) por los

efectos de las fumigaciones".

La semana pasada, por separado, los cancilleres de Colombia, Fernando Araújo, y de Ecuador, María Fernanda
Espinosa, se declararon a la espera de los estudios de dos comisiones de ambos países sobre los efectos del
herbicida utilizado por aviones colombianos en la frontera común contra los cultivos de coca.

Araújo pidió entonces un poco más de "paciencia" al gobierno del presidente Rafael Correa, quien advirtió
esos mismos días a Colombia que no aceptará más fumigaciones en la franja de diez kilómetros de la línea de
frontera.

Habitantes, cultivos legales y en general el medio ambiente en tres provincias ecuatorianas fronterizas con
Colombia han resultado afectadas por las aspersiones colombianas, señaló por su parte la canciller Espinosa.

Zona compartida

Colombia y Ecuador tienen una frontera terrestre común de 586 kilómetros de longitud y enormes extensiones
de algunas zonas de selva de los departamentos colombianos de Nariño y Putumayo son utilizadas por
cultivadores de coca.

En diciembre pasado los dos países sufrieron un deterioro en sus relaciones debido a estas aspersiones, al punto
que el gobierno ecuatoriano llamó a su embajador en Colombia a consultas.

En enero pasado el presidente Correa había anunciado que su país demandaría a Colombia ante los tribunales
de La Haya y otras instancias internacionales por los supuestos daños por las fumigaciones en territorio

colombiano con el herbicida glifosato.

El pasado 5 de julio, en una entrevista con Efe en Quito, Correa dijo que si se confirmaba la nocividad, según

http://archivo.eluniverso.com/2007/07/11/0001/8/print8E0D44270D8249A4A4… 182

el estudio de la Comisión Científica ecuatoriana, iba a emprender "acciones legales internacionales" ante el
tribunal de La Haya contra Colombia.

eluniverso.com Noticias del Ecuador y del mundo

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Todos los Derechos Reservados.

http://archivo.eluniverso.com/2007/07/11/0001/8/print8E0D44270D8249A4A4… ANNEX 183

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, Press Release No. 040,

Bilateral Progress in the Meeting Between the
Foreign Ministers of Ecuador and Colombia (19 Jan. 2007) ANNEX 183

Ecuador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Press Release No. 040
Quito, 19 January 2007

BILATERAL PROGRESS IN THE MEETING BETWEEN THE
FOREIGN MINISTERS OF ECUADOR AND COLOMBIA

[…]

The Foreign Ministers of the two countries agreed on the immediate
establishment of a tripartite commission, Ecuador-Colombia-International

Organizations, to immediately proceed with the verification of the effects
that fumigations with glyphosate, carried out by Colombia in its territory
bordering Ecuador, have on human health and the environment. The
aforementioned commission will also receive the testimonies of the

Ecuadorian populations affected by the fumigations with glyphosate and
its co-adjuvants.

Furthermore, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries agreed to

immediately establish the terms of reference of a prospective study of
scientific nature on the effects of the glyphosate and its co-adjuvants used
by Colombia in the aerial sprayings for the elimination of coca crops.

[…] ANNEX 183

Ecuador, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores

BOLETÍN DE PRENSA No. 040

Quito, 19 de Enero del 2007

AVANCES BILATERALES EN LA REUNIÓN ENTRE LAS CANCILLERES DEL ECUADOR Y
COLOMBIA

El Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio e Integración informó que, en la mañana de hoy, la
Ministra María Fernanda Espinosa, se reunió con su homóloga de Colombia, María Consuelo Araujo.

En dicha conversación se abordaron distintos temas de la relación bilateral. Las Cancilleres de los dos países
acordaron la inmediata conformación de una comisión tripartita, Ecuador – Colombia - Organismos
Internacionales, a fin de que de inmediato se proceda a la constatación de los efectos que tienen en la salud
humana y en el ambiente las fumigaciones con glifosato que realiza Colombia en su territorio fronterizo con
el Ecuador. La referida comisión, igualmente, recibirá testimonios de la población ecuatoriana que ha sido

afectada por las fumigaciones con glifosato y sus coadyuvantes.

Por otra parte, las Cancilleres de los dos países acordaron establecer de inmediato los términos de referencia
para un estudio prospectivo de carácter científico sobre los efectos del glifosato y sus coadyuvantes
utilizados por Colombia en las aspersiones aéreas para la eliminación de las plantaciones de coca.

Colombia se comprometió a concluir las gestiones para resolver en el tiempo más corto posible los reclamos
presentados por el Ecuador por los daños causados por el disparo desde territorio colombiano de un mortero
a la localidad ecuatoriana de Puerto Nuevo; el homicidio del señor Hugo Enríquez en Rumichaca; y, el

fallecimiento de dos ciudadanos ecuatorianos en el Río San Miguel por disparos realizados por elementos
militares de Colombia.

A la vez se acordó la suscripción y pronta implementación del Plan Binacional de Desarrollo que beneficie a

las poblaciones de frontera.

http://www.mmrree.gov.ec/Templates/print.asprl ANNEX 184

“Ecuador will remain an associated member State with Mercosur”,
E LCOMERCIO (Quito, Ecuador, 20 Jan. 2007) ANNEX 184

elcomercio.com

Ecuador will remain an associated member State with Mercosur
20 Jan 2007

Martín Pallares, on assignment in Rio de Janeiro, and agencies

[…]

The Peruvian Foreign Minister, José Antonio García, made assurances
that there will not be aerial fumigation on the Colombian-Peruvian border.

“There will not be aerial fumigations with glyphosate on the border”
between the two countries, the Foreign Minister said in Rio de Janeiro,
where he represented President Alan García at the Mercosur Summit. ANNEX 184

Ecuador seguirá como Estado miembro asociado de Mercosur
1/20/2007

Martín Pallares, enviado a Río de Janeiro, y agencias

El Ecuador decidió permanecer como Estado miembro asociado

al Mercosur y fortalecer a la Comunidad Andina de Naciones
(CAN) antes que pedir ingresar al organismo sureño como se
había anunciado en la prensa que cubre la cumbre, que concluyó

ayer.

Según el presidente Rafael Correa, el Ecuador está “cómodo” con
su condición de Estado asociado de la que debe aprovechar más.
Más bien, dijo, se dedicará a fortalecer la CAN para luego

ingresar como bloque al Mercosur.

El Mandatario ecuatoriano negó que hubiera existido la intención
de ingresar al Mercosur como Estado pleno.

Correa aparentemente se alineó con los países que dicen que los La delegación ecuatoriana. La Canciller y el
procesos de integración regional no deben quedarse en lo Presidente durante la Cumbre que terminó ayer en
Brasil. Foto: EL COMERCIO
comercial, sino que este proceso debe incluir lo político y social.

“América del Sur debe ser una gran nación y no únicamente un gran mercado”, dijo Correa.

En ese sentido coincidió con Venezuela y Brasil que han defendido el ingreso de Bolivia al Mercosur a pesar de la

oposición de Argentina y Uruguay.

La Cumbre de Mercosur terminó ayer bajo un radiante sol en Río Janeiro y en medio de una profunda división ideológica

entre los países miembros evidenciada sobre todo por la defensa que Venezuela y Bolivia hicieron de las nacionalización
de la economía.

El bloque concluyó con una declaración final que señala que la integración no debe centrarse en lo económico, sino
abarcar aspectos como el cultural, social y el impulso de valores comunitarios.

En el aspecto comercial, destaca el hecho de que el intercambio entre los países del bloque registró un récord histórico

en el 2006, al tiempo que anunciaron la voluntad de impulsar el pago en monedas locales de las transacciones
comerciales entre Brasil y Argentina, con el objetivo de extenderlo después a los otros países.

En otro orden, el grupo expresó “gran satisfacción” por el pedido formal del Gobierno de Bolivia de integrarse al bloque
como miembro pleno. Con ese objetivo se creó un grupo de trabajo que analizará los mecanismos legales para que el

país andino pueda ingresar al Mercosur, sin abandonar la CAN.

Asimismo, se consideró favorablemente la reciente incorporación de Venezuela al bloque, en julio del 2006, bajo la
premisa de que servirá para fortalecerlo.

En otro orden, los presidentes reafirmaron su compromiso de seguir trabajando para conformar una Comunidad
Sudamericana de Naciones, y para negociar acuerdos comerciales con países y grupos de países que redunden en

beneficios tangibles, sobre todo para las economías menores del Mercosur.

El encuentro contó con la participación de los presidentes de los países miembros del bloque, Néstor Kirchner de

Argentina, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva de Brasil, Nicanor Duarte Frutos de Paraguay, Tabaré Vázquez de Uruguay, y Hugo
Chávez de Venezuela.

También acudieron los presidentes de los estados asociados, Evo Morales de Bolivia, Michelle Bachelet de Chile, Álvaro
Uribe de Colombia y Rafael Correa de Ecuador, faltó únicamente el presidente de Perú, Alan García.

Ecos de la cumbre

En Río de Janeiro todos festejan que el sol haya salido por primera vez desde Navidad. Las playas ayer se llenaron y la

temperatura pasó de los 30 grados.

http://elcomercio.com/solo_texto_search.asp?id_noticia=57357&anio=2007&… 184

El Mercosurse embarcó desde ayer en el complejo proceso de incorporar como socio pleno a Bolivia, cuyo presidente,
Evo Morales, promete ser una voz tan crítica al actual modelo de integración como la del venezolano Hugo Chávez.

El canciller peruano José Antonio García aseguró que no habrá fumigaciones aéreas con glifosato en la frontera

colombiano-peruana.

“No habrá fumigaciones aéreas de glifosato en la frontera”, entre los dos países, dijo el Canciller en Río de Janeiro,
donde representó al presidente Alan García en la Cumbre del Mercosur.

Derechos reservados ® 2001-2009 GRUPO EL COMERCIO C.A.
Prohibida la reproducción total o parcial de este contenido sin autorización de Diario El Comercio

http://elcomercio.com/solo_texto_search.asp?id_noticia=57357&anio=2007&… ANNEX 185

U.N. Press Release, “U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Right to the Highest
Attainable Standard of Health, Paul Hunt, Ends Visit to Ecuador” (18 May 2007) ANNEX 185

UNITED NATIONS

Press Release

xxxxxxxxxx UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE RIGHT xxxxxxxxxx
TO THE HIGHEST ATTAINABLE STANDARD

OF HEALTH, PAUL HUNT, ENDS VISIT
TO ECUADOR

The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to the highest attainable standard of

health, Paul Hunt, issued the following statement on 18 May 2007 in Quito,
Ecuador

I would like to warmly thank the Government for inviting me to Ecuador. I also
thank the UN Development Programme (UNDP) for organising an excellent
schedule of meetings. Special thanks are also due to the Ministry of Foreign

Affairs and Pan American Health Organisation.

I have met with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Coordination for Internal
and External Security, as well as senior officers in both Ministries. Also, the
Scientific Commission of Ecuador, the Ombudsman, senior officials in the

Ministries of Finance and Health, the Governors of Sucumbios and Orellana,
senior public officials in Lago Agrio, as well as the UN Country Team. On
Wednesday 16 May, I visited three communities in the northern zone.
Additionally, I have met with many representatives of civil society.

Prior to arriving in Quito, I met with the UN Department of Political Affairs in

New York, as well as the Organisation of American States and the Pan
American Health Organisation (PAHO) in Washington DC.

I take this opportunity to warmly thank all those, including civil society, who
have given their time and advice.

These are my preliminary conclusions and recommendations. They will be
amplified by a report to the United Nations as soon as possible.

I confirm that I am not a member of the UN secretariat. Rather, I am
appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to provide right to health advice,
as an independent expert, to the UN General Assembly and UN Human

Rights Council.

The focus of my mission was aerial spraying of glyphosate, combined with
additional components, along the Colombia-Ecuador border. (As a short
hand I will use the term glyphosate for this combination of glyphosate and

additional components.) The mission did not take samples or do laboratory
tests: it was not a scientific mission. Rather, it reviewed the existing scientific
evidence, took personal testimonies, consulted with experts, collected
additional information – and examined all this material through the lens of the
human right to health.

http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/42D1F65F4D223B17C1257… 185

The right to health includes access to both health care and the underlying
determinants of health, such as safe water, adequate sanitation and a safe
environment.

General right to health issues
I met with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to find out their concerns
about other right to health issues in Ecuador unrelated to the aerial spraying.

The NGOs raised a wide range of serious right to health concerns. Their
gravity explains why the Government recently declared the health sector to
be in a state of emergency.

Shortly, I will write to the Government about some of the serious issues

raised by the NGOs, such as:

· the absence of an inclusive health system, including health care and the
underlying determinants of health, responsive to local and national priorities,
and accessible to all, including indigenous peoples, Afro-Ecuadorians,

refugees, internally displaced persons, and those living in poverty;
· the serious neglect of mental health care;
· discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS;
· the high incidence of gender-based violence, as well as inadequate support

for those affected;
· high maternal mortality rates;
· inadequate access to, and information about, contraceptives, including
emergency contraception;
· environmental contamination arising from the oil industry;

· discrimination against sexual minorities in the provision of health services.

I will make my letter public, as well as any reply from the Government.

The northern zone and Plan Ecuador

The aerial spraying of glyphosate along the northern border has to be seen in
the context of the conditions of the people - refugees, indigenous peoples,
Afro-Ecuadorians, internally displaced persons and other disadvantaged
groups - living in the northern zone.

I was deeply impressed by the spirit of the people and communities I met in
the northern border. But I was also shocked by what I found. Clearly, the
northern zone is suffering from many years of profound, systemic neglect,
exacerbated by environmental degradation. Frankly, I was dismayed that

such desperate conditions could exist in a middle-income country like
Ecuador.

The present Government deserves great credit for recognising the gravity of
the situation and adopting Plan Ecuador. This multi-sectoral Plan - with its

emphasis on enhanced coordination - represents a huge stride in the right
direction.

I also commend the UN coordination and contribution that is taking shape in

the northern border zone, such as the inter-agency HIV/AIDS initiative in
Sucumbios.

http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/42D1F65F4D223B17C1257…... ANNEX 185

As Plan Ecuador is rolled-out I hope it will be possible to make some
refinements. For example, I recommend that the Plan is made as
participatory as possible. Genuine participation by ordinary people will
strengthen the Plan. The world is littered with 'top-down' plans that failed

because the drafters - well intentioned and in a hurry - did not listen to the
people.

It is very important that the Government allocates adequate funds for the

Plan otherwise it will become just another paper exercise. Also, I strongly
urge Ecuador's development partners to provide 'matching-funds' and
technical assistance for Plan Ecuador, consistent with their human rights
responsibilities of international assistance and cooperation.

I also recommend that the Government establish an accountability
mechanism for the Plan – that is, a small, independent unit that keeps a
close eye on whether or not the Plan is reaching its targets and achieving it
objectives. This independent mechanism would help to identify where the
Plan is working and where there are difficulties. It might report annually to the

Government. To be credible, it must be independent of Government.

A human-rights based approach to Plan Ecuador should be adopted.

As the Special Rapporteur on the right to health I am especially alarmed by
the completely inadequate health system available to individuals and
communities in the north. For example, the system has failed to respond to
the health needs arising from the aerial spraying of glyphosate.

It is imperative that Plan Ecuador addresses the lamentable condition of the
health system as swiftly as possible.

An excellent first step would be to establish an integrated primary health care
system in the northern border area of Sucumbios – that is, about six sub-

centres of primary health care, plus 10-15 mobile health teams consisting of
one doctor and one nurse, with appropriate transportation. As well as
providing essential medicines, the mobile health teams would also provide
basic health information and education to communities. One ambulance and

radio phones would also be needed to refer emergencies to other health
facilities, for instance if a woman has complications during pregnancy.

I cannot give a blueprint here. A swift situational analysis is needed. A
detailed plan should be prepared, ensuring coordination with existing

initiatives. Despite the urgency, the views of communities and individuals
must be sought. Because of its simplicity, this proposal could be
implemented quite swiftly and without huge cost.

In the neighbouring province of Napo, a comparable system has already

been introduced in coordination with PAHO – and with good results.

PAHO could be invited to provide technical assistance. Ecuador's
development partners could be invited to provide 'matching-funds', consistent

with their human rights responsibilities of international assistance and
cooperation.

http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/42D1F65F4D223B17C1257… 185

In short, integrated, accessible, affordable primary health care would help to
deliver Plan Ecuador. Part of a broader health strategy and plan, it would
reduce suffering and save lives.

Aerial spraying of glyphosate
In my opinion, there is an overwhelming case that the aerial spraying of
glyphosate along the Colombia-Ecuador border should not re-commence.
The studies already identified in earlier reports should be undertaken and

completed. These are needed for a number of reasons, not least in relation
to compensation. As President Uribe of Colombia is reported to have said on
30 April 2007, where damage is proven, compensation should be paid.

My UN report will set out the legal reasons for my opinion.

In summary, Colombia has a human rights responsibility of international
assistance and cooperation, including in health. Consequently, as a
minimum, Colombia must not jeopardise the enjoyment of the right to health
in Ecuador. It must 'do no harm' to its neighbour.

There is credible, reliable evidence that the aerial spraying of glyphosate
along the Colombia-Ecuador border damages the physical health of people
living in Ecuador. There is also credible, reliable evidence that the aerial

spraying damages their mental health. Military helicopters sometimes
accompany the aerial spraying and the entire experience can be terrifying,
especially for children. (Some children told me that, while they were in their
school, it was sprayed.)

This evidence is sufficient to trigger the precautionary principle. Accordingly,
the spraying should cease until it is clear that it does not damage human
health.

It would be manifestly unfair to require Ecuador to prove that the spraying

damages human health because Ecuador does not have access to essential
information that is required to make that assessment. For example, Ecuador
does not know the precise composition of the herbicide that Colombia is
using. Thus, Colombia has the responsibility to show that the spraying

damages neither human health nor the environment.

When Colombia's international human rights responsibilities are read, in this
way, with the precautionary principle, there is no doubt in my mind that
Colombia should not recommence aerial spraying of glyphosate on its border

with Ecuador. This legal argument may also apply to other relevant parties. In
summary, to ensure conformity with its international human rights
responsibilities, Colombia should respect a ten-kilometre no-spray zone
along the border.

I accept that glyphosate is used in Ecuador, but there are at least two
important distinctions between the Ecuadorian use of glyphosate and its use
on the border by Colombia. First, I am informed that the Government of
Colombia (or others on its behalf) adds some components to the glyphosate,

in contrast to Ecuadorian policy and practice. Second, the general practice in
Ecuador is to manually and directly apply the herbicide, whereas in Colombia
aerial spraying is used on an extremely widespread basis. Thus, any

http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/42D1F65F4D223B17C1257…... ANNEX 185

suggested equivalence between Ecuadorian and Colombian practice is
misleading and disingenuous.

Conclusion

The glyphosate aerial spraying issue has become deeply politicised. When
an issue becomes politicised in this way, human rights are always among the
first victims. The health and lives of ordinary people – especially the most
disadvantaged and poor – are forgotten or obscured.

It is imperative that when considering this very important issue the human
right to health – at root, the well-being of disadvantaged individuals and
communities - is placed at the centre of all decision-making.
*****

For further information on the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, please visi t
the website: http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/health/right/index.htm

http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/42D1F65F4D223B17C1257…... ANNEX 186

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, Press Release No. 547,

Ecuador Expresses Surprise at Declarations of High-Ranking Colombian Official
(12 July 2007) ANNEX 186

Ecuador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Press Release No. 547
Quito, 12 July 2007

ECUADOR EXPRESSES SURPRISE AT DECLARATIONS OF HIGH-
RANKING COLOMBIAN OFFICIAL

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Integration expressed his

surprise at the pronouncements of a high-ranking official of the
Colombian government, who qualified as absurd the declarations of the
President of the Republic, economist Rafael Correa Delgado, that he

would press charges against the Colombian government before the
International Court of Justice in the Hague because of the harmful effects
on borderland Ecuadorian populations and territories caused by the
spraying of broad spectrum herbicides, including glyphosate, which

Colombia has carried out on its side of the border.

In speaking of this, the Foreign Ministry affirmed the national position
that there exist objective facts and scientific proof confirming the damage

caused by said aerial sprayings, to the health, crops, and environment of
the border populations, as has been corroborated by studies, international
expert missions, and Special Rapporteurs from the United Nations. It was
made clear that Ecuador has every right to consider the opening of a new

international case to deal with this controversy. It was stated, furthermore,
that innumerable efforts have been made towards a mutually agreeable
solution which responds, among other things, to the immediate need to
provide effective protection and responses to the just demands of those

affected. ANNEX 186

Ecuador, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores

BOLETÍN DE PRENSA No. 547
Quito, 12 de Julio del 2007

ECUADOR EXPRESA SU SORPRESA ANTE DECLARACIONES DE ALTO FUNCIONARIO

COLOMBIANO

El Ministerio de Relaciones, Comercio e Integración dio a conocer su sorpresa ante los pronunciamientos de
un alto funcionario del Gobierno colombiano, quien habría calificado de absurdas las declaraciones del

Presidente de la República, economista Rafael Correa Delgado, en el sentido de que demandaría a ese
Gobierno, ante la Corte Internacional de Justicia de la Haya, por causa de los efectos nocivos que en las
poblaciones y territorios ecuatorianos fronterizos han provocado las aspersiones que ese país ha realizado en
el lado colombiano de la frontera, utilizando un paquete herbicida de amplio espectro que incluye glifosato.

La Cancillería ratifica, a este propósito, la posición nacional de que existen hechos objetivos y
científicamente comprobados que confirman los daños ocasionados por dichas aspersiones aéreas, en la
salud, cultivos y ambiente de las poblaciones fronterizas, tal como ha sido corroborado por estudios,
misiones de expertos internacionales y de los Relatores Especiales de las Naciones Unidas. Deja en claro

que al Ecuador le asiste todo el derecho de considerar la apertura de una nueva instancia internacional de
tratamiento para esta controversia. Registra, además, que se han desplegado incontables esfuerzos tendientes
a encontrar una solución concertada que responda, entre otros, a la necesidad impostergable de brindar
protección efectiva y respuestas a las justas demandas de los afectados.

http://www.mmrree.gov.ec/Templates/print.asprl ANNEX 187

Declaration of María Blanca Chancosa Sánchez, 14 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 187

Public Instrument No.

1 DECLARATION

2

3 GIVEN BY:

4

5 MARÍA BLANCA CHANCOSA SÁNCHEZ

6

7 QUANTITY UNDERTERMINED

8

9 J.P.

10 I GAVE COPIES

11 Inthecityof Quito, Capital of the Republic of Ecuador, on this

12 fourteenth day of January of the year two thousand and nine, before

13 me, Notary Public of the Thirty-first Notary Public’s Office of the

14 Canton of Quito, Doctor MARIELA POZO ACOSTA, appeared, for

15 the execution of this Public Instrument, Ms. María Blanca Chancosa

16 Sánchez, single, bearer of identity card number one seven zero four

17 one zero zero seven nine dash nine, domiciled in the city of Quito,

18 who came freely and voluntarily, to ask me to convert into a public

19 instrument the declaration she has given me, which reads as follows.-

20 MR.[sic] NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the Registry of

21 Public Instruments under your custody the following declaration,ANNEX 187
DOCTOR MARIELA POZO ACOSTA

1 contained in the following clauses and provisions.- FIRST: PARTY

2 HERETO.- For the execution of this public instrument, appears on

3 her own and personal right Ms. María Blanca Chancosa Sánchez, of

4 legal age, single, bearer of identity card number one seven zero four

5 one zero zero seven nine dash nine, domiciled in the city of Quito.

6 SECOND: DECLARATION.- I, María Blanca Chancosa Sánchez,

7 declare under oath that the information contained in the document

8 entitled “Statement of María Blanca Chancosa Sánchez”, attached

9 hereto, is authentic and corresponds to the truth, to the extent of my

10 knowledge, and was given by me freely and voluntarily. Mr. Notary

11 Public, please add the customary clauses and qualifying documents for

12 the full validity of this public instrument.- Signed) DOCTOR IÑIGO

13 SALVADOR CRESPO.- Bar Association Number two thousand nine

14 hundred and thirty-eight - Bar Association of Pichincha.- End of

15 declaration, which is ratified by the deponent in its entirety.- This

16 declaration is done in honor of the truth and for the legal purposes

17 expressed therein. All essential legal requirements were complied

18 with for the execution of this instrument; and, after this instrument

19 was read from beginning to end to the deponent by me, the Notary

20 Public, she ratified the entire content and signed it in a single act with

21 me, all to which I attest.-

22

THIRTY-FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF QUITO ANNEX 187
DOCTOR MARIELA POZO ACOSTA

1 [signature]

2 María Blanca Chancosa Sánchez

3 C.C. 170410079-9

4

5 The Notary Public:

6 [signature]

THIRTY-FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF QUITOANNEX 187

STATEMENT OF MARIA BLANCA CHANCOSA SÁNCHEZ

1. My name is María Blanca Chancosa Sánchez. I am a

representative of the indigenous peoples of Ecuador. I am of Kichwa

descent. In my leadership position of the Confederation of Indigenous

Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), I have witnessed the effects of

the aerial sprayings of Plan Colombia on the indigenous peoples living

on the Ecuadorian border. As a result of the working group on Plan

Colombia between the Government of Ecuador and social and

indigenous organizations with observers from the United Nations and

the Organization of American States, in July 2001, I organized an

international verification mission. The mission visited some border

communities and indigenous people in Sucumbíos and Esmeraldas

who were affected by the sprayings from late 2000 until early 2001.

2. During the visits we were able to document, by means

of testimonies of the communities and professional doctors, and by

direct observation, the various effects of the sprayings. We verified

that there was an increase in acute irritation of eyes, skin irritation,

gastrointestinal problems, and acute respiratory infections after the

sprayings began. We also saw deterioration in the quality of essential

crops of the campesinos, including coffee, yucca, plantain, rice, and

pastures. These crops exhibited yellowing and spots. Furthermore,

the sprayings have slowed plant growth and harvesting of the fields. ANNEX 187

All this has seriously affected the ability of families to feed

themselves and continue living in the area.

3. The consequences of repeated sprayings have had

particularly serious effects on the indigenous peoples who live around

the border, including the Awá, Cofán, Huaorani, Shuar, Secoya,

Siona, Chachi, and Kichwa. The relationship with Mother Earth is

central to the indigenous people. They feel as if their land is sick

because they no longer have plants for their survival. The plants feed

them. The plants are also medicines that give energy and can prevent

a disease. When the plants get sick, people also get sick. In those

areas, because of the culture and isolation, people go to the folk healer

of the community, who is called a yachak, who uses certain plants to

treat certain pains. Following the sprayings, several of the plants used

by folk healers stopped growing and were damaged. They can no

longer cure people with these plants. We were very worried because

in some indigenous communities the yachack[sic] have left their

communities, since the plants with which they practiced no longer

worked, putting the traditional life and health of these communities at

serious risk.

4. Plants also form part of our traditions that guide our

daily life. Yucca is a fundamental element for the indigenous people,ANNEX 187

of their diet and of their life. But several communities have seen the

yucca drying up until it died a few days after the repeated sprayings.

Chicha is made from yucca, it is an energizing beverage that we use to

go to work and that we drink in traditional ceremonies. After the

fumigations, yucca becomes sick and hard. It does not soften when

cooked and it cannot be eaten or used as a drink. There are other very

important herbs that are required in order to drink a tea named

guayusa. Every morning, the family gathers to drink the tea, which is

used to protect them from bad energies and snake bites. During that

hour, the family gathers to share the visions they had during the night

and to prepare themselves, together, for what the day has in store for

them. They feel protected by this drink. Indigenous people from

some of the villages in the border have informed us that this plant no

longer grows as much and it no longer has the same effect. It got sick

after the sprayings.

5. The indigenous peoples on the border have always

lived off fishing and hunting of certain animals, but with the change in

the environment resulting from the herbicide, the animals cannot

survive; they either flee or die. When the chemical fell on the San

Miguel River, it caused a massive death of the fish used to feed the ANNEX 187

indigenous people by the river and its tributaries. Consequently, the

affected indigenous peoples are not able to feed themselves.

6. Indigenous people that live in those areas from fishing,

hunting and medicinal plants have nowhere to eat, bathe and live if

these areas are affected. They have no choice but to move from that

territory. In order to avoid the destruction caused by the sprayings

near the border, some indigenous peoples have seen the need to

relocated further inland. The Awá, who live closest to the border, have

been particularly affected by this. This exodus extremely affects the

indigenous people. For a campesino to move his family is hard, but

his relationship with the earth is only work related. Eventually,

although with difficulty, they adjust to a new land. But for the

indigenous people, the bond with Mother Earth prevails in their lives.

The land, the river, the natural forest are their sacred places where

they can be in contact with the plants. Their relationship with the land,

animals and the environment of their territory is part of their being.

Having to abandon their land is like killing a part of the indigenous

person, he loses his centre. Moreover, the great danger is that after

moving from their traditional territory, settlers or Colombians fleeing

from the sprayings will occupy the territory, and the indigenous

people will lose their land forever.ANNEX 187

[signature]

María Blanca Chancosa Sánchez

C.C. 170410079-9ANNEX 187ANNEX 187ANNEX 187ANNEX 187ANNEX 187ANNEX 187ANNEX 187ANNEX 187 ANNEX 188

Declaration of Dino Juan Sánchez Quishpe, 15 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 188

1 DECLARATION

2 GIVEN BY: DINO JUAN SÁNCHEZ QUISHPE

3 ON BEHALF OF: HIMSELF

4 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

5

6 I GAVE TWO COPIES

7 M/C

8

9 In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos, Republic

10 of Ecuador, on this fifteenth day of January of the year two thousand

11 and nine, before me,DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA

12 TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the First Notary Public’s

13 Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Doctor Dino Juan Sánchez

14 Quishpe, Ecuadorian, a doctor of medicine, married, domiciled in the

15 city of Nueva Loja, of legal age, without any legal impediment to

16 declare, to ask me to convert his declaration into a public instrument,

17 the same as follows: “ MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in

18 the Registry of Public Instruments under your custody a declaration,

19 contained in the following clauseFIRST: PARTY HERETO.-

20 For the execution of this public instrument, appears Doctor Dino

21 Sánchez, of Ecuadorian nationality, bearer of identity card number

22 one seven zero seven nine nine zero three five dash two, of legal age,ANNEX 188

1 domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, legally able to enter into and be

2 bound by contracts, on his own right; SECOND: DECLARATION.-

3 Freely, voluntarily, and under oath, the deponent declares the

4 following: My name is Dino Sánchez. I am a doctor in Lago Agrio,

5 capital of the province of Sucumbíos. I am the Director of the Marco

6 Vinicio Iza Hospital, the only hospital in Lago Agrio, and the only

7 hospital for the communities in Sucumbíos near the border with

8 Colombia. I also have a private practice in my office in Lago Agrio,

9 where I treat patients from throughout the area. I have been practicing

10 medicine in Lago Agrio since 1991. I left for three years to get a

11 specialization in pediatrics, and returned to Sucumbíos in 1999 to the

12 present. At the hospital and in my private practice, we have observed

13 an epidemic of symptoms that have occurred in temporal proximity to

14 the fumigations by the Colombian border, in the province of

15 Sucumbíos. Since January 2001, when, I believe, the sprayings began

16 in this area, the hospital has reported a significant increase in

17 respiratory diseases and skin infection. Since then, I have observed at

18 the hospital and in my private practice episodes of diseases that

19 repeatedly coincided with the times when sprayings near the border

20 were reported. I remember particularly a period in 2004 and early

21 2005 during which there were many patients complaining of

22 headache, vomiting and skin problems, which coincided with border ANNEX 188

1 sprayings. During these periods, patients came to the hospital to

2 consult with me, privately, about their severe headaches, vertigo and

3 nausea, some also reported diarrhea and skin problems. The majority

4 of the patients that reported these symptoms were young. Usually,

5 children under the age of five were the ones with these problems. At

6 the hospital, we generally saw the most extreme cases. People from

7 border communities use their limited resources to come to the hospital

8 only when someone is seriously ill. In my private practice, I saw

9 people with symptoms of different severities. Also, in this case, the

10 majority of the people from the border do not have the means to see a

11 doctor in Lago Agrio, which is why they came to the hospital or health

12 subcentres in the city only when it was really necessary and if there

13 was no choice. I had not seen this type of epidemic before. People

14 came with severe headaches and vomiting. I was not able to attribute

15 these symptoms to circumstances that would normally cause these

16 types of health problems. It was something new and strange. We had

17 treated some of these symptoms before but, usually, diseases such as

18 diarrhea resulted from prolonged summers, when there had not been

19 any rain, and people had no fresh water to consume. But it seemed

20 very strange to us that there were so many cases of diarrhea and

21 vomiting during the rainy season, which was uncommon. I had not

22 seen a person affected by multiple symptoms at the same time either,ANNEX 188

1 such as skin disease and at the same time diarrhea and vomiting. Nor

2 had I seen so many people affected during the same periods. I had

3 never seen this type of skin problem in the population before. I have

4 treated, before, some cases in which people had the papulae on the

5 skin; for example, during the summer there are the typical papulae

6 from bites. But these were a different type of papulae that did not heal

7 from the medication that we traditionally prescribed. Coinciding with

8 reports of sprayings on the border, there was a time in which there was

9 a widespread occurrence of skin problems, different from what I had

10 treated before. They were papulae with a pinkish color around it. It

11 presented itself in areas of the skin that was exposed. Children who

12 live in the border area go around shirtless, so their thorax and back

13 were full of papulae, but not the genitals, armpits, nor other parts that

14 are usually covered. Many people came from the border to be

15 examined by me. Generally, the patients that came to see me had

16 already been treated at other health centres without any success a

17 week or two before. Lately, we have not had any of these cases. It has

18 been stable for the past two years. I understand that it has been

19 approximately two years since the last time Colombia sprayed by the

20 Sucumbíos border; THIRD: QUANTITY.- The quantity of this

21 public instrument, due to its, nature is undetermined.- Mr. Notary

22 Public, please add the customary clauses for the full validity of this ANNEX 188

1 public instrument.- Signed by Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar

2 Association Number two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar

3 Association of Pichincha.- This declaration has been converted into a

4 public instrument with all its legal value.- All essential legal

5 requirements were observed for the execution of this instrument, and

6 once read by me, the Notary Public, to the party hereto, he ratifies the

7 entire content of this instrument and signs it with me, the Notary

8 Public, to which I attest.-

9

10 [signature]

11 DINO JUAN SÁNCHEZ QUISHPE

12 CC. 170799035-2

13

14 [signature]

15 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

16 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

17 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

18 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

19 [seal]

20ANNEX 188

1 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

2 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

3 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

4

5 [signature]

6 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

7 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

8 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

9 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

10

11 [seal]

12

13

14

15

16

17ANNEX 188ANNEX 188ANNEX 188ANNEX 188ANNEX 188ANNEX 188ANNEX 188ANNEX 188 ANNEX 189

Declaration of Witness 1, 16 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 189

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HIMSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12

13 In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos, Republic

14 of Ecuador, on this sixteenth day of January of the year two thousand

15 and nine, before me,DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA

16 TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the First Notary of Lago

17 Agrio Canton, appeared Mr. [REDACTED], Ecuadorian, a farmer,

18 single, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, of legal age, without any

19 legal impediment to declare, to ask me to convert his declaration into

20 a public instrument, the same as follows: “MR. NOTARY PUBLIC:

21 Please include in the Registry of Public Instruments under your

22 custody a declaration, contained in the following clFIRST:

23 PARTY HERETO.- For the execution of this public instrument,ANNEX 189

1 appears Mr. [REDACTED], of Ecuadorian nationality, bearer of

2 citizenship card number [REDACTED], of legal age, domiciled in the

3 city of Nueva Loja, legally able to enter into and be bound by

4 contracts, on his own right; SECOND: DECLARATION.- Freely,

5 voluntarily, and under oath, the deponent declares the following: My

6 name is [REDACTED], bearer of citizenship card number

7 [REDACTED]. I am Ecuadorian, born on [REDACTED]. I have

8 lived in the Salinas Community, on the border of the province of

9 Sucumbíos, Ecuador, for thirty years. During this period, I have been

10 a farmer, growing plants and raising animals for my family to

11 consume and to sell in the local market. My farm starts on the banks

12 of the San Miguel River and it has fifty-one (51) hectares, with coffee,

13 plantain, pastures, and cacao. I have experienced border sprayings in

14 my village several times – even twice a year. The first time that aerial

15 sprayings began, it was morning; I was in a community meeting at the

16 village chapel, about two hundred (200) meters from the Colombian

17 border. At the end of the meeting, the others and I accompanied the

18 priest to the shore of the river so that he could return to his community

19 by canoe. We heard a noise of helicopters and stayed to watch them.

20 Soon, we saw planes and helicopters flying on the Colombian side,

21 near the river. The planes flew along the edges of the river, some

22 spraying as far as the riverbank, and others crossed the river to gain ANNEX 189

1 momentum and turned around over the San Miguel River. I saw white

2 smoke coming out of the planes. It looked like a light white cloud.

3 The fog did not settle nor disappear immediately; it remained

4 suspended in the air for a few minutes before descending. I also

5 sensed a strange odor. I got a terrible skin irritation a week or two

6 after the planes came by. I broke out in a rash all over my body, and it

7 itched. It was so severe that I had to go to Lago Agrio to seek

8 treatment. The doctor gave me an injection for the allergy. My two

9 nephews were also sick with itching. My son [REDACTED] also got

10 sick with blisters that were like little water bubbles. They itched a lot

11 and it seemed as if they were about to bleed when he scratched. My

12 family was not the only one affected at that moment. At the same

13 time, shortly after the fumigations, all the families in the community

14 found themselves with the same new and strange diseases. The young

15 children were the ones who suffered the most. Every time they

16 sprayed, the children had diarrhea and fever, in addition to the itching.

17 Soon after the spraying, my crops started turning yellow and dying.

18 The tallest fruit trees, such as tzapote, were the first ones to be

19 affected. These tall trees were the first to dry up at the top. They did

20 not die completely although they did dry up, and no longer produced

21 fruit. The plantain trees were also destroyed quickly. The plantain,

22 planted next to my house, which is a few meters from the river, diedANNEX 189

1 first. The plant was undernourished, falling to one side, and the fruit

2 started to die. My coffee also had spots. The plantain finally turned

3 black. The pastures were also lost, the grass turned yellow and died.

4 From my house, one can see the river and Colombia. On the other

5 side, I noticed that the trees were yellow, dry, and dead. It was very

6 similar to what had happened to my crops, it looked like a trail of

7 destruction; although, the Colombian side was slightly more severe,

8 [sic] The few livestock that I had were also affected a week or two

9 after the first spraying. The few that survived did not escape being

10 sick in the next sprayings. A cow that had never been sick before had

11 a spot on her back as if it were scabies and part of it peeled

12 completely; she had no skin and the flesh could be seen, it even

13 looked as if it was going to bleed. Only after giving her injections, her

14 skin grew back, but she still has scars. The pregnant cows were not

15 able to have normal offspring. One calf was born ahead of its time and

16 dead. Three other were born undernourished and a few weeks after

17 birth they all died. A pig also got sick, which lost its hair; the hair fell

18 off gradually, until almost all the hair on its back was gone. Before

19 the sprayings began in our area, I used to sell a lot of coffee. I had

20 sixteen (16) hectares planted with coffee, and each hectare produced

21 sixty (60) to eighty (80) quintals of the product annually. Now, I can

22 barely harvest eight quintals of coffee per hectare each year. I have ANNEX 189

1 been strong so as to resist. But it is hard to see all your efforts wasted

2 without having any fault. I have given all my youth to my farm. All

3 my efforts, since I was seventeen years old, have been invested in my

4 land and plants. To lose it all in a few days has been very difficult.

5 And, restarting and replanting, knowing that the loss would return

6 every time I saw those planes spraying near my house, has been even

7 harder; THIRD: QUANTITY.- The quantity of this public

8 instrument, due to its, nature is undetermined.- Mr. Notary Public,

9 please add the customary clauses for the full validity of this public

10 instrument.- Signed by Doctor Íñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar Association

11 Number two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar Association

12 of Pichincha.- This declaration has been converted into a public

13 instrument with all its legal value.- All essential legal requirements

14 were observed for the execution of this instrument, and once read by

15 me, the Notary Public, to the party hereto, he ratifies the entire

16 content of this instrument and signs it with me, the Notary Public, to

17 which I attest.-

18

19 [signature]

20 [REDACTED]

21 CC. [REDACTED]ANNEX 189

1

2

3 [signature]

4 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

5 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE

6 FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

7 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

8 [seal]

9
10 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

11 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

12 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

13

14 [signature]

15 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

16 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

17 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

18 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

19

20 [seal]

21ANNEX 189ANNEX 189ANNEX 189ANNEX 189ANNEX 189ANNEX 189ANNEX 189 ANNEX 190

Declaration of Witness 2, 16 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 190

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HIMSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12
13 1. In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of

14 Sucumbíos, Republic of Ecuador, on this sixteenth day of January of

15 the year two thousand and nine, before me, DOCTOR JOSÉ

16 MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the

17 First Notary Public’s Office of Lago Agrio Cantoappeared Mr.

18 [REDACTED], Ecuadorian, a farmer, married, domiciled in the city

19 of Nueva Loja, of lawful age, without any legal impediment to

20 declare, to ask me to convert his declaration into a public instrument,

21 the same as follows: “ MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in

22 the Registry of Public Instruments under your custody a declaration,

23 contained in the following clauseFIRST: PARTY HERETO.-ANNEX 190

1 For the execution of this public instrument, appears Mr.

2 [REDACTED], of Ecuadorian nationality, bearer of citizenship card

3 number [REDACTED], of legal age, domiciled in the city of Nueva

4 Loja, legally able to enter into and be bound by contracts, on his own

5 right; SECOND: DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under

6 oath, the deponent declares the following: My name is

7 [REDACTED]. I am Ecuadorian and I am thirty-nine years old. I am

8 the bearer of citizenship card number [REDACTED]. I have lived in

9 Salinas, province of Sucumbíos, for twenty-seven years. My farm is

10 located on the banks of the San Miguel River, which separates

11 Ecuador from Colombia. My wife and I live off of agriculture. In

12 Salinas, we have suffered at least twice on account of the sprayings.

13 About seven or eight years ago, I was working on my harvest when

14 the first fumigations occurred. I could observe maybe four planes and

15 some helicopters passing by the San Miguel River and, when turning

16 around, they would fly over Ecuadorian territory. The planes were

17 flying, dropping a white liquid that with the wind came quickly

18 toward us. The product had a strong odor and, at the same moment, I

19 felt burning in my nose and throat. A few days later, my body broke

20 out with bumps that itched intensely. Never before did I have this type

21 of bumps all over my body and I did not know how to treat them. I

22 still have the scars from those bumps. I also suffered from strong ANNEX 190

1 headaches and dizziness a few weeks after the planes came by

2 spraying. When the sprayings returned, these same symptoms

3 appeared a few days later. Even to this day, I do not feel fully

4 recovered. During each spraying, the children in the community and

5 neighbors that also live on the banks of the river became sick with

6 diarrhea and vomiting. The younger children were more affected than

7 others. Many children would cross the river to be treated by doctors

8 on the Colombian side, because at the time of the sprayings there was

9 no road and it was very difficult to go to Lago Agrio. Others went to

10 the medical subcentre in La Punta, but often we would find that there

11 was not enough medicine for everyone. On my farm I had planted

12 plantain, yucca and coffee. The first spraying destroyed everything.

13 The plantain leaves turned yellow, they started to bend until they fell

14 off. The plantain and yucca dried up faster than the coffee. Before, I

15 could get about twenty-five quintals of coffee per hectare, then after

16 the sprayings, I do not even get three. After a while, I replanted, but

17 the plants did not produce as before. The plantain, when looking at it,

18 seemed nice, green, but once it was cut, inside it was in a poor state

19 and inedible. Before, I could get about sixty quintals of maize, but

20 after the sprayings, I do not even get five. I used to fish in the San

21 Miguel River. In the days after the sprayings, dead fish started to

22 appear, especially bocachico and shad. In the past years, animalANNEX 190

1 species have disappeared. Before, we used to see a lot of monkeys and

2 parrots around the farm and in nearby mountains. Now, one seldom

3 sees a monkey or a parrot. The community has been affected by the

4 recurrent fumigations. In the following years, they sprayed again and

5 we lost what little we had over again. History repeated itself:

6 children became sick again and the animals lost their hair and died.

7 Fifty percent of my chickens died, the same with the fish. People have

8 nothing to eat and we have no one to turn to. What used to be paradise

9 for us has become a hell from which we cannot escape; THIRD:

10 QUANTITY.- The quantity of this public instrument, due to its

11 nature is undetermined.- Mr. Notary Public, please add the customary

12 clauses for the full validity of this public instrument.- Signed by

13 Doctor Íñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar Association Number two thousand

14 nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar Association of Pichincha.- This

15 declaration has been converted into a public instrument with all its

16 legal value.- All essential legal requirements were observed for the

17 execution of this instrument, and once read by me, the Notary Public,

18 to the party hereto, he ratifies the entire content of this instrument and

19 signs it with me, the Notary Public, to which I attest.-

20 [signature]

21 [REDACTED]

22 CC. [REDACTED] ANNEX 190

1

2 [signature]

3 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

4 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE

5 FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

6 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

7 [seal]

8
9 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

10 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

11 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

12

13 [signature]

14 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

15 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

16 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

17 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

18

19 [seal]

20

21
22ANNEX 190ANNEX 190ANNEX 190ANNEX 190ANNEX 190ANNEX 190ANNEX 190 ANNEX 191

Declaration of Witness 3, 17 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 191

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HIMSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12
13 In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos, Republic

14 of Ecuador, on this seventeenth day of January of the year two

15 thousand and nine, before me, DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA

16 BARRAZUETA TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the First

17 Notary Public’s Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Mr.

18 [REDACTED], Ecuadorian, a farmer, married, domiciled in the city

19 of Nueva Loja, of legal age, without any legal impediment to declare,

20 to ask me to convert his declaration into a public instrument, the same

21 as follows: “ MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the

22 Registry of Public Instruments under your custody a declaration,

23 contained in the following clauseFIRST: PARTY HERETO.-ANNEX 191

1 For the execution of this public instrument, appears Mr.

2 [REDACTED], of Ecuadorian nationality, bearer of identity card

3 number [REDACTED], of legal age, domiciled in the city of Nueva

4 Loja, legally able to enter into and be bound by contracts, on his own

5 right; SECOND: DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under

6 oath, the deponent declares the following: My name is

7 [REDACTED]. I am Ecuadorian and I am thirty-three years old. I am

8 the bearer of identity card number [REDACTED]. I have lived all my

9 life in Salinas, province of Sucumbíos, Ecuador. I have four children

10 and I am married. For many years, we have heard, from my

11 community, the sound of planes and helicopters, from the other side of

12 the San Miguel River, in Colombia. I knew of the hardships that many

13 Colombian neighbors were suffering, because many of them had to

14 come to work on the Ecuadorian side, on account of the sprayings.

15 They said that the sprayings had destroyed everything that they

16 owned. But, I never thought that the same thing would happen to us.

17 However, one day, it happened. I was working on my farm, seven or

18 eight years ago, when I saw planes and helicopters flying over the San

19 Miguel River, over our community, which is on the banks of the river.

20 They crossed to the Ecuadorian side to turn around and return to

21 Colombia. On their way, one could see that they were dropping a

22 water-like liquid; it was like a white mist that they were dropping. ANNEX 191

1 One could smell a bothersome, intense odor. Fifteen days after the

2 spraying, I observed that the crops were turning yellow. Plantain,

3 rice, yucca, and maize. Everything was lost. We could not sell or eat

4 the crops. My brothers and my father, who have farms next to mine,

5 suffered the same damages. I did not know why this was happening.

6 There was no fertilizer that could save the harvest. Before, despite

7 pests, the land produced, and it produced a lot. After the spraying,

8 everything was lost and the land was left weakened. The plants no

9 longer produce like before and inside they are yellow. My family and

10 I drink water from the river and bathe in it. We also use it for cooking.

11 A week after the fumigations, we broke out in a rash of bumps on our

12 skin that caused a strong itch. My children had fever, diarrhea,

13 vomiting and stomach ache. It was very strange that everyone in the

14 community got sick at the same time; this had never happened before.

15 My wife suffered from headaches and dizziness. We lived through

16 some very difficult times. The animals were also affected. Three

17 days after the spraying, the chickens that were on the tree at nightfall

18 were found dead, the following day, on the ground. The cows that

19 were pregnant had miscarriages. We also saw a lot of dead fish in the

20 river, during the time of the sprayings. We have even noticed that in

21 recent years there has been a decline in some species such as the

22 monkeys and guatuzas, a type of rodent , before there were many ofANNEX 191

1 them and now there are hardly any. A few years later, the planes came

2 back, near the community. This time, I could see them over the river.

3 With the wind, the mist from the sprayings affected, once more, our

4 land and our health. Once again, we lost what little we had been able

5 to grow. My community lives in constant anguish. We do not know

6 when this nightmare will end. We are afraid that they will spray again

7 and we will not be able to feed our children. We do not know how

8 many years is going to take for the land to produce as it did before;

9 plants no longer grow as before, they grow but they do not produce

10 very much; THIRD: QUANTITY.- The quantity of this public

11 instrument, due to its, nature is undetermined.- Mr. Notary Public,

12 please add the customary clauses for the full validity of this public

13 instrument.- Signed by Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar Association

14 Number two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar Association

15 of Pichincha.- End of declaration.- This declaration has been

16 converted into a public instrument with all its legal value.- All

17 essential legal requirements were observed for the execution of this

18 instrument, and once read by me, the Notary Public, to the party

19 hereto, he ratifies the entire content of this instrument and signs it with

20 me, the Notary Public, to which I attest.-

21

22 ANNEX 191

1 [signature]

2 [REDACTED]

3 CC. [REDACTED]

4

5 [signature]

6 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

7 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

8 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

9 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

10 [seal]

11

12 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

13 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

14 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

15

16 [signature]

17 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

18 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

19 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

20 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

21

22 [seal]

23ANNEX 191ANNEX 191ANNEX 191ANNEX 191ANNEX 191ANNEX 191 ANNEX 192

Declaration of Witness 4, 22 Dec. 2008 ANNEX 192

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HERSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12
13 1. In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of

14 Sucumbíos, Republic of Ecuador, on this twenty-second day of

15 December of the year two thousand and eight, beforDOCTOR

16 JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public

17 of the First Notary Public’s Office of Lago Agrio Canton,

18 appeared Ms. [REDACTED], Ecuadorian, a farmer, married,

19 domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, of legal age, without any legal

20 impediment to declare, to ask me to convert her declaration into a

21 public instrument, the same as follows: “ MR. NOTARY PUBLIC:

22 Please include in the Registry of Public Instruments under your

23 custody a declaration, contained in the following clFIRST:ANNEX 192

1 PARTY HERETO.- For the execution of this public instrument,

2 appears Ms. [REDACTED] of Ecuadorian nationality, bearer of

3 identity card number [REDACTED], of legal age, domiciled in the

4 city of Nueva Loja, legally able to enter into and be bound by

5 contracts, on her own right; SECOND: DECLARATION.- Freely,

6 voluntarily, and under oath, the deponent declares the following: My

7 name is [REDACTED]. I am Ecuadorian and I am twenty-nine years

8 old. Bearer of identity card number [REDACTED]. I was born in the

9 province of El Oro and I was raised in Salinas, province of

10 Sucumbíos, Ecuador. I have six children, between one and fourteen

11 years old. I am a homemaker and a farmer. In the year two thousand

12 and one, I remember having seen two planes followed by helicopters

13 which passed by slowly, several times in the same day, above our

14 community, dropping something like a mist. I was working the farm

15 and I would see them crossing the San Miguel River and going from

16 one side of the border to other. Since I did not know what this was all

17 about and I thought that the mist was not bad, I continued working on

18 my farm while the planes sprayed over me and my children who were

19 playing outside. In a short period of time, they sprayed for several

20 days, on our community and neighboring communities. Usually, they

21 fumigated during the day and on clear days, and not when it was

22 rainy. On my farm I had planted about twelve hectares of pasture ANNEX 192

1 land, plantain, yucca, coffee, and cacao. The spraying completely

2 ruined all of it. A few days after the spraying, the plants started to turn

3 yellow and then they turned black and died. I had never experienced

4 anything like that. I tried to save the crop with fertilizers but it did not

5 work, and we lost everything. Two weeks after the first spraying, my

6 family and I got bumps all over the body, we had an itch that was

7 unbearable. I made home remedies for the children, like I have done

8 so many times before when they were bitten by insects, but this time

9 the medicine I had prepared did not cure them. My children also

10 suffered from fever and diarrhea, which started a month after the

11 spraying. The following year, they sprayed again and my children had

12 diarrhea all over again, a few weeks after the fumigations. We used to

13 raise pigs, chickens and cows on the farm. A few weeks after the

14 spraying, the calves had a white diarrhea and a few days later they

15 died. We have always fed the animals with products from the crops

16 because we did not have any money to buy special food for them.

17 When I woke up, I found several dead chickens near the tree. The pigs

18 lost their hair and stopped eating. They also died. Two years ago, we

19 planted again, but the soil does not have the same strength as it used

20 to. The plants grew weakly and, when they were cut, inside they were

21 black and dry. Before the fumigations, a hectare of coffee would yield

22 sixty quintals, and a hectare of maize would yield forty quintals. Now,ANNEX 192

1 the coffee yields about five quintals per hectare, and the maize about

2 two quintals. Never before, not even in the case of a drought or in the

3 rainy season, had the land yielded so little. Before, we lived happy in

4 this community. Now, we are all sick, many of us suffer from

5 headaches and dizziness. Many children still miss days of school

6 because they are weak. The animals are undernourished. Neighbors

7 complain that their crops barely gives them enough for personal

8 consumption. If I had a place to go to, I would leave this community.

9 In fact, those who could have done it and that is why there are so

10 many empty houses. But this is my reality and I have no option but to

11 continue fighting every day against something that I did not choose. I

12 cannot give up, I owe it to my children; THIRD: QUANTITY.- The

13 quantity of this public instrument, due to its, nature is undetermined.-

14 Mr. Notary Public, please add the customary clauses for the full

15 validity of this public instrument.- Signed by Doctor Iñigo Salvador

16 Crespo, Bar Association Number two thousand nine hundred and

17 thirty-eight, Bar Association of Pichincha.- This declaration has been

18 converted into a public instrument with all its legal value.- All

19 essential legal requirements were observed for the execution of this

20 instrument, and once read by me, the Notary Public, to the party

21 hereto, she ratifies the entire content of this instrument and signs it

22 with me, the Notary Public, to which I attest.- ANNEX 192

1

2 [signature]

3 [REDACTED]

4 CC. [REDACTED]

5

6 [signature]

7 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

8 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

9 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

10 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

11 [seal]

12
13 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

14 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

15 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

16 [signature]

17 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

18 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

19 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

20 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

21

22 [seal]ANNEX 192ANNEX 192ANNEX 192ANNEX 192ANNEX 192ANNEX 192 ANNEX 193

Declaration of Witness 5, 16 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 193

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HIMSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12
13 In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos, Republic

14 of Ecuador, on this sixteenth day of January of the year two thousand

15 and nine, before me,DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA

16 TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the First Notary Public’s

17 Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Mr. [REDACTED],

18 Ecuadorian, a farmer, married, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, of

19 legal age, without any legal impediment to declare, to ask me to

20 convert his declaration into a public instrument, the same as follows:

21 “MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the Registry of Public

22 Instruments under your custody a declaration, contained in the

23 following clauses: FIRST: PARTY HERETO.- For the executionANNEX 193

1 of this public instrument, appears Mr. [REDACTED], of Ecuadorian

2 nationality, bearer of identity card number [REDACTED], of legal

3 age, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, legally able to enter into and

4 be bound by contracts, on his own right; SECOND:

5 DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under oath, the deponent

6 declares the following: My name is [REDACTED]. I am Ecuadorian,

7 I am thirty-six years old, bearer of identity card number

8 [REDACTED]. I am married and I have two children. I have lived in

9 Salinas, province of Sucumbíos, for twenty-five years. I remember

10 that in 2001 I was working on my farm, which is located near the San

11 Miguel River, and I saw three white planes protected by helicopters

12 flying over Salinas. The planes left behind a white cloud of smoke that

13 had a sour chemical-like odor. This odor could be felt both in the air

14 and in the water that we consumed. We drank water from the well

15 and it had a chemical-like taste. At that moment, my eyes started to

16 burn and my nose started to itch. The planes did not respect our

17 airspace. They entered our territory as they were spraying to turn

18 around toward Colombia. The planes made two or three passes, from

19 six in the morning until about six in the evening. I had never seen

20 anything like it before. We have never had an epidemic like the one

21 caused by the sprayings. The children had headaches and eye

22 irritation. My youngest daughter had vomiting and diarrhea, and the ANNEX 193

1 teachers would send the children home. About four days after the

2 fumigations, my body ached all over and my skin itched. I had bumps

3 on my skin that lasted for about a month and a half. Some children in

4 the community fainted because they had difficulties in breathing and

5 were suffering from dizziness. Moreover, the sprayings have also

6 caused psychological problems in our village. It has caused fear,

7 concern, uncertainty and a lot of anxiety. My daughter is still scared

8 that the planes might come back. The animals have also suffered. The

9 chickens had shock and died three or four days after the spraying.

10 They went blind and later died. Two cows gave birth ahead of time

11 and their offspring were born deformed. This had never happened

12 before. It also affected the production of the cows. Usually they had a

13 calf every year, and then after the spraying, they started having calves

14 every three years. I could see a lot of horses in Salinas that had some

15 type of rash and their skin was peeling. After the spraying, small,

16 dead fish could be seen on the riverbank. I had planted three hectares

17 of coffee, one of cocoa, and fifteen of pasture. A week after, the coffee

18 began to lose its flowers, the leaves started to turn yellow and then

19 they turned black, drying up completely. The cacao also turned

20 yellow and, when it was cut, one could see inside that the cacao seeds

21 had rotted. The grass turned a yellowish color that began at the top

22 and moved down to the roots. After the fumigations, I replanted butANNEX 193

1 production began to drop. Out of three hectares, I used to gather sixty

2 quintals of coffee. Now, with a bit of luck, I can barely get fifteen

3 quintals of coffee from the three hectares. After going through this

4 misfortune, we thought everything was going to get better.

5 Unfortunately, the land has remained affected and has low

6 productivity. The plants no longer produce as before. Moreover, after

7 that spraying, the planes have since returned and sprayed here, causing

8 once more harm to our health, animals and crops. It is like a vicious

9 circle because when we think that we are going to recover, a new

10 spraying destroys everything again. We live with fear and terror of

11 being sprayed again. We do not want to continue suffering and seeing

12 how innocent children get sick after the sprayings; THIRD:

13 QUANTITY.- The quantity of this public instrument, due to its,

14 nature is undetermined.- Mr. Notary Public, please add the customary

15 clauses for the full validity of this public instrument.- Signed by

16 Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar Association Number two thousand

17 nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar Association of Pichincha.- End of

18 declaration.- This declaration has been converted into a public

19 instrument with all its legal value.- All essential legal requirements

20 were observed for the execution of this instrument, and once read by

21 me, the Notary Public, to the party hereto, he ratifies the entire ANNEX 193

1 content of this instrument and signs it with me, the Notary Public, to

2 which I attest.-

3 [signature]

4 [REDACTED]

5 CC. [REDACTED]

6

7 [signature]

8 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

9 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

10 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

11 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

12 [seal]

13

14 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

15 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

16 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

17

18 [signature]

19 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

20 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

21 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

22 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

23 [seal]ANNEX 193ANNEX 193ANNEX 193ANNEX 193ANNEX 193ANNEX 193ANNEX 193 ANNEX 194

Declaration of Witness 6, 16 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 194

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HERSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12
13 1. In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of

14 Sucumbíos, Republic of Ecuador, on this sixteenth day of January of

15 the year two thousand and nine, before me, DOCTOR JOSÉ

16 MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the

17 First Notary Public’s Office of Lago Agrio Cantoappeared Ms.

18 [REDACTED], Ecuadorian, a farmer, married, domiciled in the city

19 of Nueva Loja, of legal age, without any legal impediment to declare,

20 to ask me to convert her declaration into a public instrument, the same

21 as follows: “ MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the

22 Registry of Public Instruments under your custody a declaration,

23 contained in the following clauseFIRST: PARTY HERETO.-ANNEX 194

1 For the execution of this public instrument, appears Ms.

2 [REDACTED], of Ecuadorian nationality, bearer of identity card

3 number [REDACTED], of legal age, domiciled in the city of Lago

4 Agrio, legally able to enter into and be bound by contracts, on her own

5 right; SECOND: DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under

6 oath, the deponent declares the following: My name is

7 [REDACTED], bearer of identity card number [REDACTED]. I am

8 Ecuadorian, born on [REDACTED]. I have lived in the Salinas

9 Community, in Sucumbíos, Ecuador, for thirty years, taking care of

10 my husband, children and my home, including the farm. Our farm

11 and house are located on the banks of the San Miguel River. On the

12 farm, we have coffee, cacao, maize, yucca and plantain. Before the

13 sprayings began on the border, a hectare would produce forty quintals

14 of coffee. With that small amount of coffee, it was enough for us to

15 get by. But, after the sprayings, the plants died or no longer produced

16 even half of what they used to. Today, since I am alone and because

17 most of the crops barely produce, I have had to let the crops turn into

18 scrub. The first time that I saw the planes spraying by the river, the

19 planes came, flying over the trees. My husband, my children, and I

20 would watch them from the house near the river. We saw that

21 something like ashes was coming from the planes; it crossed the river

22 and was getting close to where we were. A few days later, the whole ANNEX 194

1 family was sick with a flu that we had never had before. My husband,

2 my children and I had a terrible itch. Each time we scratched, it

3 would bleed. The effect on my husband was the most extreme of the

4 family. He had been working, bent down over the coffee crops on our

5 farm, when the smoke came and he saw a fine rain fall on the coffee

6 leaves. He had on a thin, short-sleeved white shirt and long pants.

7 The bumps appeared mostly on my husband’s back, his skin peeled,

8 and he bled a lot. Since there was no road then, we had to go to Lago

9 Agrio by boat for treatment. He was taken to the clinic three times.

10 Despite the visits to the doctors, he was never cured. The doctors

11 treated him without knowing what he had, because they did not

12 understand what it was, and he never got better; he could not go back

13 to work. He died on the 16 June 2002. It took a while to cure my

14 children, because the disease was not recognized and they did not

15 know how to cure it. Shortly after the sprayings, our plants also began

16 to get sick. The coffee planted near the riverbank was affected more

17 severely and more quickly than the other plants. First, it turned yellow

18 and then it would not produce. We had to cut down an entire hectare

19 of dead coffee. The coffee that was farthest from the river survived,

20 although it got sick and it could not bear fruit as before. The cacao

21 also dried up. With the cacao, the plant did not dry up, but the fruit did

22 and we could not get the seed out. Half of the cacao seeds wouldANNEX 194

1 come out completely dry and dead and the other half yellow. Also,

2 the cows were swollen with blisters on their skin. We had never seen

3 this before, which is why we examined their skin. When the swelling

4 was cut, a kind of pus came out, it looked like really bad milk. I had

5 never seen something like it before. The pregnant cows gave birth

6 and the calves were born healthy, but about eight days later they had

7 white diarrhea, and died. Several chickens died. The other chickens

8 that survived would lay soft eggs with no shell that were not even

9 good enough to eat. We had to select the good eggs to incubate them

10 and try to rescue them. Almost all of the chicks born during that

11 period died. The pigs had a terrible shaking. They laid there on the

12 ground, and they did not walk or eat. The only food we had were the

13 plants that were yellow and dry. The pigs got very thin and finally

14 died. The yucca hardened. The plant turned yellow and it would fall

15 to one side. The fruit was hard. It could not be eaten because it would

16 not get soft even when cooked. We ate plantain, which was also small

17 and hard, but it could be cooked to be eaten. The rice became like

18 straw. We had no money to buy healthy food at the market because

19 my husband could no longer work, the plants were dead or without

20 fruit, and the animals were too sick to be sold or to produce. After a

21 few months, the situation improved. But the sprayings returned after

22 that first time and with them sadness came back. The diseases ANNEX 194

1 suffered by my family, the animals and plants at home and at the

2 homes of the rest of the community, always came back every time we

3 saw the planes spraying along the border. Every time that white smoke

4 came, we became depressed knowing the destruction that awaited us

5 in a short time, and what little we could do to preventTHIRD:

6 QUANTITY.- The quantity of this public instrument, due to its,

7 nature is undetermined.- Mr. Notary Public, please add the customary

8 clauses for the full validity of this public instrument.- Signed by

9 Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar Association Number two thousand

10 nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar Association of Pichincha.- This

11 declaration has been converted into a public instrument with all its

12 legal value.- All essential legal requirements were observed for the

13 execution of this instrument, and once read by me, the Notary Public,

14 to the party hereto, she ratifies the entire content of this instrument

15 and signs it with me, the Notary Public, to which I attest.-

16

17 [signature]

18 [REDACTED]

19 CC. [REDACTED]

20

21

22ANNEX 194

1 [signature]

2 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

3 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

4 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

5 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

6 [seal]

7

8 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

9 hereunto signed and sealed this SECOND COPY, which I issue in the

10 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

11

12 [signature]

13 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

14 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

15 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

16 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

17

18 [seal]

19

20

21ANNEX 194ANNEX 194ANNEX 194ANNEX 194ANNEX 194ANNEX 194ANNEX 194 ANNEX 195

Declaration of Witness 7, 16 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 195

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HIMSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12

13 In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos, Republic

14 of Ecuador, on this sixteenth day of January of the year two thousand

15 and nine, before me,DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA

16 TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the First Notary Public’s

17 Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Mr. [REDACTED],

18 Ecuadorian, a farmer, single, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, of

19 legal age, without any legal impediment to declare, to ask me to

20 convert his declaration into a public instrument, the same as follows:

21 “MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the Registry of Public

22 Instruments under your custody a declaration, contained in the

23 following clauses: FIRST: PARTY HERETO.- For the executionANNEX 195

1 of this public instrument, appears Mr. [REDACTED], of Ecuadorian

2 nationality, bearer of citizenship card number [REDACTED], of legal

3 age, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, legally able to enter into and

4 be bound by contracts, on his own right; SECOND:

5 DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under oath, the deponent

6 declares the following: My name is [REDACTED], bearer of

7 citizenship card number [REDACTED]. I was born on

8 [REDACTED]. I have lived in the village of Salinas my whole life, in

9 a house on the banks of the San Miguel River. Next to our house, we

10 have a farm which has grown to sixty hectares, where we have pasture

11 grass, coffee, cacao, maize, plantains, and rice. I am a farmer and a

12 health promoter in Salinas. The first time that I experienced the

13 fumigations I saw some planes flying by and dropping a liquid.

14 Sometimes, I saw that they got to the edge of the river. As I was

15 bathing in the river at that moment, I was afraid that they would drop

16 some of that poison on me, because I heard comments from people

17 and on the radio that the planes were coming to exterminate

18 Colombian coca crops. And, since my community is on the banks of

19 the San Miguel River, the coca crops can be seen from my

20 community. As they flew, they left behind a somewhat white mist. It

21 was light and sometimes the mist drifted with the wind, and when the

22 wind blew it would move and fall. After that, a few days went by and ANNEX 195

1 I started having skin problems, I had itching and felt hot throughout

2 my whole body, as if it were some type of allergy. In the past, we did

3 not have this, it came only after they began spraying. During the first

4 spraying, my children were playing in the patio at my mother’s house,

5 which is few meters from the river. They have sprayed around here

6 two or three times. Shortly after the spraying, the itching started,

7 especially in the children. The children also got diarrhea, stomach

8 aches, vomiting and a lot of fever. First, they had itching, then

9 diarrhea and vomiting. We had to go to the doctors to get treatment;

10 at the hospital they gave us more specialized medication for more

11 severe cases. Sometimes, they did not know how to treat the child and

12 we had to take him to a different doctor at another clinic. At first, the

13 doctors did not know the cause of these symptoms. When we had

14 more experience with the sprayings, we and the doctors realized that

15 the symptoms were related to the sprayings, because it was an

16 epidemic that affected everyone who lived along the border, after each

17 spraying. The main effect after the spraying was a reduction in the

18 harvest. During that time, I had some pastures that appeared scorched.

19 Before that, we had some beautiful pastures, full of grass. But after I

20 saw that white smoke, there was this burned appearance, which was

21 very strange and we had never seen it before. The coffee turned

22 yellow and no longer produced the same amounts that we knew itANNEX 195

1 should have. Right before the fumigations, a hectare would yield

2 thirty quintals during harvest time, every fifteen days; now, it yields

3 about three or four quintals per hectare. Today, ten quintals are

4 harvested per hectare; still, it is a very small harvest. In addition to

5 that, the plants have a lot of problems, because when the fruit is close

6 to ripening, it dries up. We had grape andzapoteplants on the farm

7 by the riverbank; they were very big, and a week or two following the

8 first spraying they died. One could tell that the plants growing by the

9 riverbank would get sick faster than the plants that were farther in.

10 They would turn yellow after a few days, the leaves would fall, until

11 there was nothing left, not even the twig. On the other side of the

12 river, in Colombia, one could see that the land was just about the same

13 as in Ecuador, scorched and yellow. The branches had no leaves; they

14 were dry, only the stick was left. The whole place, where the poison

15 had fallen, was burned; there was nothing alive. We also had cattle.

16 About a week after the spraying, one could see an effect – mainly on

17 the calves. Some cows that had been pregnant miscarried or delivered

18 stillborn calves ahead of time. Even though the offspring died, some

19 of the cows did survive. The youngest living calves also died. This

20 had never happened before to us, the cows dying as they did. I found

21 these diseases of the cows, when they aborted, to be very strange.

22 Since many of us live off the sale of coffee, when we saw that the ANNEX 195

1 coffee no longer produced, most of us went to work as day laborers

2 for neighbors that were farther inland, who had not been affected by

3 the fumigations, to earn money for the day or week. Or sometimes,

4 we had to go to Lago Agrio to look for work. I found a way, more or

5 less, to support my family. There were neighbors that had nothing to

6 eat. Sometimes, the neighbors that still had some pasture left would

7 share it with others. Those who knew how to saw, sawed wood.

8 Before, no one even knew about woodwork because things were good,

9 moreover when there was coffee to sell – there was work for

10 everyone. After the sprayings, some families had to abandon their

11 farms, and they still have not returned. Until not long ago, we had

12 always worked on our farms, making money from the land; but, after

13 that smoke fell over us, we have had to find work in anyway we could,

14 because, in any case, we had to provide for our familiesTHIRD:

15 QUANTITY.- The quantity of this public instrument, due to its,

16 nature is undetermined.- Mr. Notary Public, please add the customary

17 clauses for the full validity of this public instrument.- Signed by

18 Doctor Íñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar Association Number two thousand

19 nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar Association of Pichincha.- This

20 declaration has been converted into a public instrument with all its

21 legal value.- All essential legal requirements were observed for the

22 execution of this instrument, and once read by me, the Notary Public,ANNEX 195

1 to the party hereto, he ratifies the entire content of this instrument and

2 signs it with me, the Notary Public, to which I attest.-

3 [signature]

4 [REDACTED]

5 CC. [REDACTED]

6

7 [signature]

8 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

9 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE

10 FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

11 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

12 [seal]

13
14 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

15 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

16 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

17 [signature]

18 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

19 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

20 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

21 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

22 [seal]ANNEX 195ANNEX 195ANNEX 195ANNEX 195ANNEX 195ANNEX 195ANNEX 195ANNEX 195 ANNEX 196

Declaration of Witness 8, 16 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 196

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HERSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12
13 In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos, Republic

14 of Ecuador, on this sixteenth day of January of the year two thousand

15 and nine, before me,DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA

16 TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the First Notary Public’s

17 Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Mrs. [REDACTED],

18 Ecuadorian, a farmer, married, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, of

19 legal age, without any legal impediment to declare, to ask me to

20 convert her declaration into a public instrument, the same as follows:

21 “MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the Registry of Public

22 Instruments under your custody a declaration, contained in the

23 following clauses: FIRST: PARTY HERETO.- For the executionANNEX 196

1 of this public instrument, appears Mrs. [REDACTED], of Ecuadorian

2 nationality, bearer of citizenship card number [REDACTED], of legal

3 age, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, legally able to enter into and

4 be bound by contracts, on her own right; SECOND:

5 DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under oath, the deponent

6 declares the following: My name is [REDACTED]. I am Ecuadorian

7 and I am forty-four years old. I am the bearer of citizenship card

8 number [REDACTED]. I have lived in Corazón Orense, province of

9 Sucumbíos, Ecuador, for twenty years. In my family, made up of my

10 husband and four children, we farm for a living. It was about six or

11 seven years ago when I first saw the planes spraying over our

12 community. The planes flew by, next to some helicopters, dropping a

13 white liquid. I remember that the children were frightened and came

14 running into the house to hide. We were able to see the planes flying

15 over the Ecuadorian side. A week after the spraying, my children and

16 I got bumps that were like blisters and itched a lot. My children also

17 got bumps on their feet that itched a lot and their skin bled, and before

18 the sprayings they did not have those bumps. During the fumigations,

19 they were not wearing shoes. It took about two months for the bumps

20 to go away. The doctor gave us some ointments but the itching was

21 unbearable. The children were also stricken with a strong diarrhea

22 and they suffered from vomiting. The children stopped going to ANNEX 196

1 school because they felt sick. I had a headache, burning eyes and a

2 stomach ache. I still feel burning in my eyes. Never before in our

3 community have all the children been sick at the same time, with the

4 same symptoms. On our farm, we had planted maize, rice, plantain

5 and cacao. After the spraying, everything was damaged. The crops

6 turned yellow and dried up. About two weeks after the spraying, the

7 plants started to wither, it was a slow process that ended with the

8 crops drying up completely. I cut the maize and it was black in the

9 middle. Not only would the leaves dry up but also the insides. The

10 plantain hardened and it was black, but we ate it anyway because we

11 had nothing else to eat. We waited until they finished spraying to plant

12 again, but the plants would grow yellow and dry up. The rice turned

13 out burned. The soil has been made sterile. Before, I used to produce

14 fifty quintals of maize per hectare and now I only produce eight per

15 hectare. One or two days after the sprayings, we saw dead fish in the

16 river, shads and catfish. The pigs were thin and the hogs died. The

17 chickens, of the one hundred that I had, only five were left. One- and

18 two-year old calves also died. Two or three years ago, the planes came

19 by again. They no longer flew over our community, instead they

20 could be seen a little bit further inside of Colombia. However, with

21 the wind, the sprayings came toward us and we felt the same effects

22 again. The children got sick again. We had to go back to the doctor soANNEX 196

1 he could give us ointments for the skin bumps. We would go to La

2 Punta medical center and the doctors would tell us that they had a lot

3 of patients every day with the same symptoms. Now, we grow a little

4 rice and some yucca. But we only produce for our consumption.

5 There is not enough to sell. Now, the young people have to go to

6 town to work because farming no longer produces; THIRD:

7 QUANTITY.- The quantity of this public instrument, due to its,

8 nature is undetermined.- Mr. Notary Public, please add the customary

9 clauses for the full validity of this public instrument.- Signed by

10 Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar Association Number two thousand

11 nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar Association of Pichincha.- This

12 declaration has been converted into a public instrument with all its

13 legal value.- All essential legal requirements were observed for the

14 execution of this instrument, and once read by me, the Notary Public,

15 to the party hereto, she ratifies the entire content of this instrument

16 and signs it with me, the Notary Public, to which I attest.-

17

18

19 [signature]

20 [REDACTED]

21 CC. [REDACTED]

22 ANNEX 196

1 [signature]

2 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

3 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE

4 FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

5 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

6 [seal]

7

8 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

9 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

10 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

11

12 [signature]

13 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

14 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

15 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

16 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

17

18 [seal]

19

20

21

22
23ANNEX 196ANNEX 196ANNEX 196ANNEX 196ANNEX 196ANNEX 196 ANNEX 197

Declaration of Witness 9, 16 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 197

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HERSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDETERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12

13

14 In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos, Republic

15 of Ecuador, on this sixteenth day of January of the year two thousand

16 and nine, before me,DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA

17 TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the First Notary Public’s

18 Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Ms. [REDACTED],

19 Ecuadorian, a farmer, single, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, of

20 legal age, without any legal impediment to declare, to ask me to

21 convert her declaration into a public instrument, the same as follows:

22 “MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the Registry of PublicANNEX 197

1 Instruments under your custody a declaration, contained in the

2 following clauses: FIRST: PARTY HERETO.- For the execution

3 of this public instrument, appears Ms. [REDACTED], of Ecuadorian

4 nationality, bearer of identity card number [REDACTED], of legal

5 age, domiciled in the city of Lago Agrio, legally able to enter into and

6 be bound by contracts, on her own right; SECOND:

7 DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily and under oath, the deponent

8 states the following: My name is [REDACTED]. I am the bearer of

9 identity card number [REDACTED]. I am Ecuadorian. I have lived

10 in Corazón Orense, Province of Sucumbíos, Ecuador, for more than

11 twenty-two years. I work in agriculture and take care of my family. I

12 have eight children. The first spraying that I remember occurred

13 about 7 or 8 years ago. The planes came escorted by helicopters and,

14 when I saw them, they seemed to be flying by the edge of the river,

15 releasing a white smoke that had a strong chemical smell. My

16 younger children, who were playing outside the house, became very

17 frightened and came running into the house to take shelter. They still

18 become terrified every time they hear a noise similar to that day. At

19 the time of that fumigation, I had the field sown with plantain, yucca

20 and maize. Approximately 15 days after the sprayings, the crops

21 started to turn yellow. The plantain leaf dried up completely, it turned

22 yellow and then black. The yucca released a foamy substance and ANNEX 197

1 then it dried up. The maize and beans also rotted. I lost my entire

2 harvest. Nothing like this has ever happened before. The animals also

3 became sick: I had forty chicks and nearly all of them died. The dogs

4 got thin and many pigs lost their hair. The cows that were about to

5 give birth miscarried. My family and I also suffered the effects on our

6 health. My children, who were playing outside when the planes came,

7 suffered from burning in their eyes on the day of the spraying. Five or

8 six days after the spraying, my children and I got rashes on our arms

9 and legs and then on the rest of our bodies. The rash caused intense

10 itching. I had a strong headache and dizziness. The children also

11 suffered from vomiting and diarrhea, which lasted for two weeks. My

12 children were not the only children affected. Other children, my

13 children’s schoolmates, also became sick with vomiting and diarrhea.

14 Because of this, the teachers suspended classes for a few days. After

15 the fumigations, we could see something like a film of oil on the

16 waters of the streams of the San Miguel River. A few months after

17 the spraying, I replanted maize, yucca and plantains. Unfortunately,

18 the plants did not grow like before. The land remained affected.

19 When it was about to produce, the plant would dry up and die. The

20 fruits grew very small and dried up quickly. The situation got even

21 worse because they began spraying again near the community other

22 times throughout these years. With the wind, the chemical reachedANNEX 197

1 our community. Each time they sprayed, I lost what little I had

2 managed togrow. The children started to feel the same symptoms

3 again, except for theskin bumps, which they felt after the first

4 spraying: burning in the eyes, vomiting and diarrhea. I started having

5 headaches again. My husband and I suffered once again from bumps

6 on our skin. The animals became sick again and more chickens died.

7 All of this that we have had to endure has been very hard on us. We

8 have sacrificed ourselves for many years working this land.

9 Unfortunately, I do not have any choice but to stay here with my

10 family. No one wants to buy my land because the soil is damaged and

11 it no longer produces as before the sprayings; THIRD: QUANTITY.-

12 The quantity of this public instrument, due to its nature, is

13 undetermined.- Mr. Notary Public, please add the customary clauses

14 for the full validity of this public instrument.- Signed by Doctor Iñigo

15 Salvador Crespo, Bar Association Number two thousand nine hundred

16 and thirty-eight, Bar Association of Pichincha.- End of declaration.-

17 This declaration has been converted into a public instrument with all

18 its legal value.- All essential legal requirements were observed for the

19 execution of this instrument, and once read by me, the Notary Public,

20 to the party hereto, she ratifies the entire content of this instrument

21 and signs it with me, the Notary Public, to which I attest.-

22 ANNEX 197

1 [signature]

2 [REDACTED]

3 CC. [REDACTED]

4

5

6 [signature]

7 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

8 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

9 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

10 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

11

12 [seal]
13 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

14 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

15 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

16

17 [signature]

18 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

19 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

20 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

21 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

22

23 [seal]ANNEX 197ANNEX 197ANNEX 197ANNEX 197ANNEX 197ANNEX 197 ANNEX 198

Declaration of Witness 10, 16 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 198

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HIMSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12
13 In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos, Republic

14 of Ecuador, on this sixteenth day of January of the year two thousand

15 and nine, before me,DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA

16 TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the First Notary Public’s

17 Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Mr. [REDACTED],

18 Colombian, a farmer, married, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, of

19 legal age, without any legal impediment to declare, to ask me to

20 convert his declaration into a public instrument, the same as follows:

21 “MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the Registry of Public

22 Instruments under your custody a declaration, contained in the

23 following clauses: FIRST: PARTY HERETO.- For the executionANNEX 198

1 of this public instrument, appears Mr. [REDACTED], of Colombian

2 nationality, bearer of identity card number [REDACTED], of legal

3 age, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, legally able to enter into and

4 be bound by contracts, on his own right; SECOND:

5 DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under oath, the deponent

6 declares the following: My name is [REDACTED]. I am Colombian.

7 My family is in Colombia, but for the past ten years I have lived here,

8 in Puerto Mestanza, Ecuador. I am a farmer and I work in several

9 farms in the community, where I rent part of the farms to plant my

10 own crops. Since I arrived to this village, there have been several

11 fumigations that came from Colombia and have affected us, here. I

12 remember clearly a spraying approximately four years ago that

13 extremely affected the cattle. Shortly after the planes came, the cattle

14 died. I have several neighbors whose cows were pregnant and had

15 miscarriages. This had never happened before. They ate the affected

16 pasture and drank the water contaminated with the chemicals that the

17 planes dropped. All the rice, maize, malanga, and also the cacao were

18 ruined. Even the pastures dried up to a yellow color. The same thing

19 happened in Colombia, before I moved to Ecuador, and it is still

20 happening, as I have observed during my regular visits over the years.

21 I have seen similar effects in Colombia in the southern areas of

22 Putumayo, where the Government sprays. In Teteye, dry plants can ANNEX 198

1 be seen following the sprayings. On the Colombian side, the cattle

2 were lost. The animals were affected by an epidemic. Pregnant cows

3 miscarried. Before the fumigations, that had never happened before.

4 In San Miguel and Dios Peña, one can see the same effects from the

5 fumigations; after the liquid is left in the air, plants, animals and

6 people get sick. In Colombia the effect is the same as in Ecuador but

7 a little more excessive. Here, in Ecuador, after the sprayings, the soil

8 has lost its strength. Now, the soil has to be fertilized a lot. After the

9 first fumigations, the effects on the soil were very strong, stronger

10 than other times when the crops also died. After that first time,

11 nothing could be planted in the soil. The other times when there were

12 fumigations, it was possible to replant the plants after they died, but it

13 was very hard to make them grow and produce. At first, when I

14 arrived here, it was very good; the maize and yucca grew in

15 abundance. Now they do not. I also earn some money fishing in the

16 San Miguel River and its tributaries. I went to the river to fish the day

17 after the sprayings and I saw dead catfish, bocachico and black pacu

18 in the streams that run from the San Miguel River. The fish looked

19 inflated on the water. I had never seen this before the sprayings. A

20 while ago, one could throw a net and catch fish. I would leave the

21 fishing lines and return the following day; then, one fished a lot. After

22 the sprayings, fishing has been tough and sometimes I spend half aANNEX 198

1 day or a whole day just to catch one fish. I could not escape the

2 fumigations leaving Colombia for Ecuador. But, although, things

3 have been difficult here after the sprayings, as in Colombia, I have no

4 intention of leaving. Despite the poverty, one can earn the meals on

5 this side. Many people in this village have left, six of the twenty

6 houses are already abandoned, but I am a campesino, and the only

7 thing I know is how to work the land. Acampensino is a campesino

8 for life, there is no other life for me but to hope they do not spray

9 again; THIRD: QUANTITY.- The quantity of this public

10 instrument, due to its, nature is undetermined.- Mr. Notary Public,

11 please add the customary clauses for the full validity of this public

12 instrument.- Signed by Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar Association

13 Number two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar Association

14 of Pichincha.- This declaration has been converted into a public

15 instrument with all its legal value.- All essential legal requirements

16 were observed for the execution of this instrument, and once read by

17 me, the Notary Public, to the party hereto, he ratifies the entire

18 content of this instrument and signs it with me, the Notary Public, to

19 which I attest.-

20

21 ANNEX 198

1 [signature]

2 [REDACTED]

3 CC. [REDACTED]

4

5 [signature]

6 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

7 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

8 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

9 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

10 [seal]

11

12 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

13 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

14 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

15

16 [signature]

17 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

18 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

19 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

20 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

21

22 [seal]

23ANNEX 198ANNEX 198ANNEX 198ANNEX 198ANNEX 198ANNEX 198ANNEX 198 ANNEX 199

Declaration of Witness 11, 16 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 199

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HERSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12
13 1. In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of

14 Sucumbíos, Republic of Ecuador, on this sixteenth day of January of

15 the year two thousand and nine, before me, DOCTOR JOSÉ

16 MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the

17 First Notary Public’s Office of Lago Agrio Cantoappeared Ms.

18 [REDACTED], Ecuadorian, a farmer, single, domiciled in the city of

19 Nueva Loja, of legal age, without any legal impediment to declare, to

20 ask me to convert her declaration into a public instrument, the same as

21 follows: “MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the Registry

22 of Public Instruments under your custody a declaration, contained in

23 the following clauses: PARTY HERETO.- For the execution of thisANNEX 199

1 public instrument, appears Ms. [REDACTED], of Ecuadorian

2 nationality, bearer of citizenship card number [REDACTED], of legal

3 age, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, legally able to enter into and

4 be bound by contracts, on her own right; SECOND:

5 DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under oath, the deponent

6 declares the following: My name is [REDACTED], bearer of

7 citizenship card number [REDACTED]. I am Ecuadorian, of Kichua

8 ethnicity, born in San Francisco II, Sucumbíos, Ecuador, on

9 [REDACTED]. I have lived in San Francisco II all my life. Our life

10 in the community has never been easy but we always had a healthy

11 life with food, work, and family. That life changed radically when the

12 fumigations began. At the beginning of the year two thousand and

13 one, I remember that some planes came by spraying. I was working on

14 the farm, which is near the San Miguel River. The planes were above

15 me. There were two planes and a few helicopters that turned around

16 over the river. I saw a liquid come out of the planes and it began to

17 drip when they went by. My baby was with me at the farm when the

18 planes came, and the liquid fell on her. At first, I continued working,

19 but when I noticed a bad smell, I rushed back to the house. It was a

20 strange odor and I had a bad feeling about it. Shortly after the

21 sprayings, my three-month-old baby became sick. Suddenly, she had

22 diarrhea, vomiting and fever. I did not know what to do because she ANNEX 199

1 had never been sick like this before, and many children in the

2 community were sick with the same thing. She stopped drinking my

3 breast milk and died on twenty-five September, two thousand and one.

4 The rest of us in the family had a rash. They were little bubbles that

5 would burst. Before, we did not have any bumps on our skin, it only

6 happened after the sprayings. We also experienced several days of

7 headache, stomach ache and fever. After the sprayings, things

8 improved but it was not the same as before. When the planes

9 returned, the diseases returned. Two years later, during a period of

10 spraying, my two-month-old daughter died. She was born fat and

11 pretty, and before the sprayings she never had any problems. But after

12 the sprayings, she became sick with the same thing that my other

13 daughter had, and that many children of my neighbors had every time

14 the plane came -- vomiting, diarrhea and fever. I had no money as to

15 go to the doctor, and she died on ten September, two thousand and

16 three. Because of all of this, every time I would see the planes

17 spraying around here for all these years, it would cause me great

18 anguish. I was afraid to have more children and lose them to that

19 poison that came out of the sky. Also, shortly after the smoke of the

20 planes visited us for the first time, and every time after that, all the

21 plants dried up. We had planted maize, rice, cocoa, and plantain on

22 our farm. Since we could no longer eat from our farm, we had to askANNEX 199

1 our relatives for some money to buy food in town. Now that the planes

2 have not sprayed here for a while and the soil is getting healthy, we

3 have planted again. The plants are growing but not very well. The

4 yucca still has problems; it comes out of the skin rotted with black

5 spots. Some Kichwa families have abandoned their homes for fear of

6 problems from the sprayings. I, too, thought of leaving the border but

7 I stayed because my whole family is here;THIRD: QUANTITY.-

8 The quantity of this public instrument, due to its, nature is

9 undetermined.- Mr. Notary Public, please add the customary clauses

10 for the full validity of this public instrument.- Signed by Doctor Íñigo

11 Salvador Crespo, Bar Association Number two thousand nine hundred

12 and thirty-eight, Bar Association of Pichincha.- End of declaration.-

13 This declaration has been converted into a public instrument with all

14 its legal value.- All essential legal requirements were observed for the

15 execution of this instrument, and once read by me, the Notary Public,

16 to the party hereto, she ratifies the entire content of this instrument

17 and signs it with me, the Notary Public, to which I attest.-

18

19 [signature]

20 [REDACTED]

21 CC. [REDACTED] ANNEX 199

1

2 [signature]

3 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

4 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE

5 FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

6 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

7

8 [seal]

9
10 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

11 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

12 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

13

14 [signature]

15 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

16 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

17 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

18 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

19

20 [seal]

21

22
23ANNEX 199ANNEX 199ANNEX 199ANNEX 199ANNEX 199ANNEX 199ANNEX 199 ANNEX 200

Declaration of Witness 12, 16 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 200

1 DECLARATION

2 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

3 ON BEHALF OF: HERSELF

4 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

5

6

7 I GAVE TWO COPIES

8 M/C

9

10

11

12 In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos, Republic

13 of Ecuador, on this sixteenth day of January of the year two thousand

14 and nine, before me,DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA

15 TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the First Notary Public’s

16 Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Mrs. [REDACTED],

17 Ecuadorian, A farmer, married, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja,

18 of legal age, without any legal impediment to declare, to ask me to

19 convert her declaration into a public instrument, the same as follows:

20 “MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the Registry of Public

21 Instruments under your custody a declaration, contained in the

22 following clauses: FIRST: PARTY HERETO.- For the execution

23 of this public instrument, appears Mrs. [REDACRED] of EcuadorianANNEX 200

1 nationality, bearer of identity card number [REDACTED], of legal

2 age, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, legally able to enter into and

3 be bound by contracts, on her own right; SECOND:

4 DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under oath, the deponent

5 declares the following: My name is [REDACTED]. I am the bearer

6 of identity card number [REDACTED]. I am Ecuadorian and I have

7 lived in San Francisco 2, province of Sucumbíos, about two

8 kilometers from the border, for thirty years. I am a Kichwa. There are

9 twenty Kichwa families that live in my community. I have five

10 children and I work as a farmer on my thirty-five hectare farm. In the

11 year two thousand and two, I was working on the farm and I saw

12 planes in the air, accompanied by one helicopter. One could clearly

13 see that they were releasing a white smoke similar to the rain that fell

14 on me. It had a very strong odor; and immediately my eyes started

15 watering and I remember they burned a lot. I was never able to

16 recover my sight. To this day, my eyes burn a lot and they are watery.

17 Also, a few days after the fumigations, I felt uneasy and then I started

18 itching a few days later, which disappeared a few weeks later. I got

19 dizzy and then I vomited. My children suffered from headache,

20 diarrhea and vomiting that lasted several weeks. I, too, suffered from

21 headaches then and even now, there are days that I still get them.

22 Many families were affected. I remember that at least four babies in ANNEX 200

1 my community died during that period. They did not even last a week

2 after the sprayings. They died within days of each other. On the

3 farm, we planted maize, coffee, plantain, and cacao. After the

4 sprayings, the crops dried up. The plants started turning yellow and

5 then black, until all was lost. We had to eat what little leftovers we

6 had. We felt very bad and depressed and we had no food for our

7 children. Now, we have harvested again but the land is not as fertile

8 as before. Before, we would get around sixty quintals of maize per

9 hectare on my farm. Now, we only harvest ten or fifteen quintals. We

10 had never experienced such a severe damage on our land. We did not

11 know what to do because we did not understand why our crops and

12 those of our neighbors started to dry up, all of them at the same time.

13 We also did not understand why our children became sick with the

14 same symptoms, all at the same time. It took us a while to realize that

15 all of this was caused by the fumigations, because nothing similar had

16 ever happened to us before. Some time later, around two thousand

17 and four, they sprayed again, although a little farther away. But with

18 the rain and the wind, all these damages occurred again: once again,

19 all of us lost our crops and the children and adults had same type of

20 diseases again. The animals were also affected due to the sprayings.

21 After each spraying, the chickens and pigs died. We had to bury them,

22 because we were told that it was not good to eat them. I also saw a lotANNEX 200

1 of dead fish in the days after the sprayings. Our Kichwa traditions are

2 passed on from parents to children. Our parents taught us natural

3 medicine. We, the Kichwa, use the skin of the guava, which we cook

4 it with the skin of thguaba, to stop the diarrhea. We also cure the

5 diarrhea with the liquid from the plantain. With the sprayings, the

6 plants have dried up and we can no longer prepare natural remedies.

7 The plants had been affected and we had to stop preparing remedies

8 because they caused us more harm than good. Now, we have to take

9 our children to a health centre; THIRD: QUANTITY.- The quantity

10 of this public instrument, due to its, nature is undetermined.- Mr.

11 Notary Public, please add the customary clauses for the full validity of

12 this public instrument.- Signed by Doctor Íñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar

13 Association Number two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar

14 Association of Pichincha.- This declaration has been converted into a

15 public instrument with all its legal value.- All essential legal

16 requirements were observed for the execution of this instrument, and

17 once read by me, the Notary Public, to the party hereto, she ratifies

18 the entire content of this instrument and signs it with me, the Notary

19 Public, to which I attest.-

20

21

22 ANNEX 200

1 [signature]

2 [REDACTED]

3 CC [REDACTED]

4

5

6 [signature]

7 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

8 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

9 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

10 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

11 [seal]

12
13 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

14 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

15 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

16

17 [signature]

18 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

19 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

20 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

21 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

22

23 [seal]ANNEX 200ANNEX 200ANNEX 200ANNEX 200ANNEX 200ANNEX 200ANNEX 200 ANNEX 201

Declaration of Witness 13, 15 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 201

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HERSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12

13 In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos,

14 Republic of Ecuador, on this fifteenth day of January of the year

15 two thousand and nine, before me, DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA

16 BARRAZUETA TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the

17 First Notary Public’s Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared

18 Ms. [REDACTED], Ecuadorian, a farmer, single, domiciled in

19 the city of Nueva Loja, of legal age, without any legal

20 impediment to declare, to ask me to convert her declaration into

21 a public instrument, the same as followsMR. NOTARY

22 PUBLIC: Please include in the Registry of Public Instruments

23 under your custody a declaration, contained in the following

24 clauses: FIRST: PARTY HERETO.- For the execution ofANNEX 201

1 this public instrument, appears Ms. [REDACTED], of

2 Ecuadorian nationality, bearer of identity card number

3 [REDACTED], of legal age, domiciled in the city of Lago

4 Agrio, legally able to enter into and be bound by contracts, on

5 her own right; SECOND: DECLARATION.- Freely,

6 voluntarily, and under oath, the deponent declares the following:

7 My name is [REDACTED]. I am Ecuadorian and I am fifty-six

8 (56) years old. I am the bearer of identity card number

9 [REDACTED]. For the past twenty-three years, I have been

10 living in La Cóndor, San Francisco II, Sucumbíos. My fifty-two

11 hectare farm is located two or three kilometers from the border

12 with Colombia. In the year 2002, two or three planes protected

13 by helicopters sprayed over our community. The planes flew

14 over the San Miguel River, and as they turned around to go back

15 they passed over Ecuadorian territory. I could see a white liquid

16 that the planes were dropping. At that time, I had planted

17 around ten hectares of maize, rice, coffee, plantain, and yucca.

18 Approximately two weeks after the spraying, I went to the farm

19 and I saw that the field was dry and yellow. Little by little the

20 plants turned yellow. This was the first time that this had

21 happened to me; the whole harvest was ruined. What was most

22 surprising was that my neighbors suffered the same misfortune.

23 The coffee seed would get smaller and smaller until the plant

24 died. Some months later, I planted again, but the land is no ANNEX 201

1 longer good. The land has been left barren. The stems of the

2 plants rot. The plantains appear to be ripe and when I cut them,

3 inside they are black and rotted. Several of us neighbors in the

4 community talked and we started to realize that a few days after

5 the sprayings most of us were sick. The young children were

6 affected more than the adults by the sprayings. Many children

7 had to miss school for several days since they were sick with

8 vomiting, diarrhea and a headache. It is unfortunate that so

9 many children died in San Francisco II during this time. My

10 family and I did not have access to potable water. For this

11 reason, we drank water from the wells and cooked with that

12 same water. During the spraying period, I noticed that the water

13 was oily, but we still used it because we had no choice. It was

14 as if the water had been mixed with oil. I have had discomfort in

15 my legs for six years. One morning, I went to check the farm

16 wearing sandals and short pants, and the liquid sprayed on the

17 grass brushed against my legs. A few days later, I had a rash all

18 over my body. To this day, I am not cured. The itching is

19 exasperating and I hurt even more on account of the itching. I

20 remember my daughter crying out of desperation because she

21 had bathed in the water from the streams, which had been

22 sprayed with the fumigation liquid. To this day, she has bumps

23 on her skin and they will not heal either. On the farm, my

24 family and I raised chickens, horses, cows, and dogs. TheANNEX 201

1 animals began to die, and they had to be buried because people

2 told me that it was not good to eat them, since they too were

3 infected. The two-month-old calves started losing their hair,

4 they had nothing left but skin, and they died. Many cows

5 miscarried or their offspring were born with malformations.

6 Several chickens were found dead, the following morning, under

7 the tree where they had slept. The dogs that we used for hunting

8 suffered from a dry cough, difficulty in breathing, and died. I

9 never had any problems with the animals on the farm, and, from

10 one day to the next, after the sprayings, they began to die.

11 Before the sprayings, we lived happily. Now, we have nothing.

12 The land that we have no longer produces, it barely gives us

13 enough to subsist. If I had a chance I would leave this

14 community, but I have nowhere to go nor is anyone interested in

15 buying my farm and lands, which are damaged; THIRD:

16 QUANTITY.- The quantity of this public instrument, due to

17 its, nature is undetermined.- Mr. Notary Public, please add the

18 customary clauses for the full validity of this public instrument.-

19 Signed by Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar Association

20 Number two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar

21 Association of Pichincha.- This declaration has been converted

22 into a public instrument with all its legal value.- All essential

23 legal requirements were observed for the execution of this

24 instrument, and once read by me, the Notary Public, to the party ANNEX 201

1 hereto, she ratifies the entire content of this instrument and signs

2 it with me, the Notary Public, to which I attest.-

3

4 [signature]

5 [REDACTED]

6 CC. [REDACTED]

7

8 [signature]

9 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

10 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

11 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

12 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

13 [seal]

14

15 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

16 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

17 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

18 [signature]

19 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

20 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

21 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

22 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

23 [seal]ANNEX 201ANNEX 201ANNEX 201ANNEX 201ANNEX 201ANNEX 201ANNEX 201 ANNEX 202

Declaration of Witness 14, 17 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 202

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HIMSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12
13 In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos, Republic

14 of Ecuador, on this seventeenth day of January of the year two

15 thousand and nine, before me, DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA

16 BARRAZUETA TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the First

17 Notary Public’s Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Mr.

18 [REDACTED], Ecuadorian, a farmer, married, domiciled in the city

19 of Nueva Loja, of legal age, without any legal impediment to declare,

20 asks me to convert his declaration into a public instrument, the same

21 as follows: “ MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the

22 Registry of Public Instruments under your custody an declaration,

23 contained in the following clauseFIRST: PARTY HERETO.-ANNEX 202

1 For the execution of this public instrument, appears Mr.

2 [REDACTED], of Ecuadorian nationality, bearer of identity card

3 number [REDACTED], of legal age, domiciled in the city of Nueva

4 Loja, legally able to enter into and be bound by contracts, on his own

5 right; SECOND: DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under

6 oath, the deponent declares the following: My name is

7 [REDACTED]. I am Ecuadorian. I have worked as a farmer in the

8 San Francisco II Community, province of Sucumbíos, Ecuador, for the

9 past twenty-eight years. From my house, the San Miguel River is less

10 than two kilometres, which as measured by a topographic team when I

11 bought my land. Next to my house, I have a fifty-hectare farm, where

12 I grow yucca, plantain, maize and cacao. Over the years, I have

13 observed planes spraying in this area several times. The first time the

14 planes came from Colombia, I saw them fly over the San Miguel

15 River. The planes came and went several times. The planes flew

16 high. The helicopters flew slower and the planes faster. One could

17 see that the planes were dropping a liquid. It looked like smoke was

18 dropping to the ground. I was working outside on the farm when I

19 saw them. Shortly after that, bumps starting appearing on my skin and

20 they itched. At that time, I had three children, who also got sick with

21 bumps on their skin a week after the sprayings. At that time, my wife

22 was pregnant. Bumps appeared on her and she felt a general ANNEX 202

1 discomfort of her body. My son who was born on thirty July of the

2 year two thousand and one only lived forty-five days before dying.

3 He was born thin and weak; shortly after birth, he got a strong fever.

4 Several babies in our community died that year following the

5 sprayings. It was not normal at all for this to happen and it was very

6 traumatic for everyone. One could see that a lot of children in the

7 community were sick with diarrhea and vomiting after the sprayings.

8 The bumps that appeared on my other children eventually

9 disappeared. At the same time of our illnesses, the plantain bunches

10 became black and stopped producing fruit. I saw that the same thing

11 was happening on the farms of my other neighbors -- all the plants

12 were dying while the houses were full of sick people and animals.

13 The rice and maize were the most affected. Coffee could not produce

14 either. It was incredible, never before had we seen all the plants die at

15 the same time. All of them turning yellow and dry. Also, my dogs lost

16 their hair. Since the majority of the crops that we depended on died,

17 we had to sell the chickens and pigs to get something to eat. We tried

18 replanting some plants but they barely worked. The few plants that

19 grew again died after the new sprayings. With the following spraying

20 cycles, my family got sick again, and every time we had this horrible

21 fear that we were going to lose another child. Some days we could

22 see the planes, when they came back, and others times we just heardANNEX 202

1 them. It has been one or two years since any one has seen the planes

2 spraying around here, and the crops are returning to normal. We have

3 been able to harvest some crops and we are trying to escape the

4 poverty, which has resulted from this repeated loss. We have nothing

5 against eradication because we, too, have been affected by the

6 violence on account of the crops of our Colombian neighbors. We

7 only want them to find other methods of doing it, without bringing so

8 much suffering to our homes; THIRD: QUANTITY.- The quantity

9 of this public instrument, due to its, nature is undetermined.- Mr.

10 Notary Public, please add the customary clauses for the full validity of

11 this public instrument.- Signed by Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar

12 Association Number two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar

13 Association of Pichincha.- This declaration has been converted into a

14 public instrument with all its legal value. All essential legal

15 requirements were observed for the execution of this instrument, and

16 once read by me, the Notary Public, to the party hereto, he ratifies the

17 entire content of this instrument and signs it with me, the Notary

18 Public, to which I attest.-

19

20 [signature]

21 [REDACTED]

22 CC. [REDACTED] ANNEX 202

1

2

3 [signature]

4 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

5 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

6 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

7 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

8 [seal]
9 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

10 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

11 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

12

13 [signature]

14 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

15 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

16 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

17 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

18

19 [seal]

20

21

22

23ANNEX 202ANNEX 202ANNEX 202ANNEX 202ANNEX 202ANNEX 202 ANNEX 203

Declaration of Witness 17, 16 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 203

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HERSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12
13 1. In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of

14 Sucumbíos, Republic of Ecuador, on this sixteenth day of January of

15 the year two thousand and nine, before me, DOCTOR JOSÉ

16 MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the

17 First Notary Public’s Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Mrs.

18 [REDACTED], Ecuadorian, a farmer, married, domiciled in the city

19 of Nueva Loja, of legal age, without any legal impediment to declare,

20 to ask me to convert her declaration into a public instrument, the same

21 as follows: “ MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the

22 Registry of Public Instruments under your custody a declaration,

23 contained in the following clauseFIRST: PARTY HERETO.-ANNEX 203

1 For the execution of this public instrument, appears Mrs.

2 [REDACTED], of Ecuadorian nationality, bearer of identity card

3 number [REDACTED], of legal age, domiciled in the city of Nueva

4 Loja, legally able to enter into and be bound by contracts, on her own

5 right; SECOND: DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under

6 oath, the deponent declares the following: My name is

7 [REDACTED], I am Ecuadorian, bearer of identity card number

8 [REDACTED]. I live in La Carchi, province of Sucumbíos, a few

9 kilometers from the border. I am Awá. My family is Colombian. I

10 am married to an Ecuadorian and I have six children. Among the

11 Awá, we speak our own dialect, the Awapi. Although some of us live

12 in a community mixed with mestizos, we preserve many of our

13 traditions. Among them, we, the Awá, eat chontaduro, which is a

14 fruit with thorns, and we drink chicha in traditional ceremonies, which

15 is a beverage that we prepare from yucca and it gives us energy. Also

16 we, the Awá, eat a white worm called mayón, which is found in a

17 plant known as papayuelo. They are cooked or roasted with green

18 plantains. We also use this worm as medicine for people who have

19 lung problems. About six or seven years ago, I was on my farm when

20 I saw two planes accompanied by helicopters fly over our community.

21 The planes crossed over the river and passed over Ecuadorian

22 territory, and then returned to Colombia. On their way, they dropped ANNEX 203

1 a whitish liquid. A few minutes after the planes passed over us, I felt

2 like there was fire in my eyes and a strong headache. Weeks later, my

3 hands and feet broke out in a rash and spots which caused an intense

4 itch. This disease on the skin took several months to disappear. The

5 headache has been the most difficult, because even now I suffer from

6 severe headaches and dizziness. A few days after the sprayings, my

7 children had vomiting and a fever that lasted for several days. They

8 could not eat anything, everything would come out of their system

9 again. At that time, my husband and I had planted four hectares of

10 cocoa, five hectares of yucca, three hectares of plantain, and three of

11 pasture. Ten days after the sprayings the crop started to turn yellow,

12 until it dried up completely. The yucca had rotted inside. The

13 plantains became dry and black. We lost everything we had. We had

14 never seen anything like it. We waited a few months and then we

15 replanted. Now, we have maize but it does not produce as much as it

16 used to, the fruit often comes out hard. Work is done little by little, it

17 requires a lot of care, but it grows only a little and then dries up. The

18 animals were also affected. Two cows that we had miscarried. We

19 lost a horse, a cow and some pigs. Chickens turned up dead under the

20 trees. The fumigations have made it difficult for us to keep many of

21 our traditions. There are no mayones because the papayuelo no longer

22 grows. Thus, we have had to turn to other types of medicine to cureANNEX 203

1 lung problems. It is not easy to finchontaduro either. The chicha,

2 which we drink during our rituals, is no longer prepared as it used to

3 be because the yucca no longer produces. It has been very difficult to

4 get by in our community. Our neighbors have also suffered damages

5 to their health and crops. All the children have been sick at the same

6 time with diarrhea and vomiting. Our only hope is that they do not

7 spray again, but we live in fear because they have sprayed several

8 times since that first time. It is always causing damages to our people

9 and to our land. My children wanted to go somewhere else where

10 these damages do not exist, but I decided that we must stay to defend

11 our land and life – to take it; THIRD: QUANTITY.- The quantity of

12 this public instrument, due to its, nature is undetermined.- Mr. Notary

13 Public, please add the customary clauses for the full validity of this

14 public instrument.- Signed by Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar

15 Association Number two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar

16 Association of Pichincha.- This declaration has been converted into a

17 public instrument with all its legal value.- All essential legal

18 requirements were observed for the execution of this instrument, and

19 once read by me, the Notary Public, to the party hereto, she ratifies

20 the entire content of this instrument and signs it with me, the Notary

21 Public, to which I attest.-

22 ANNEX 203

1

2 [signature]

3 [REDACTED]

4 CC. [REDACTED]

5

6 [signature]

7 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

8 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

9 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

10 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

11 [seal]

12
13 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

14 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

15 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

16

17 [signature]

18 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

19 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

20 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

21 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

22

23 [seal]ANNEX 203ANNEX 203ANNEX 203ANNEX 203ANNEX 203ANNEX 203ANNEX 203 ANNEX 204

Declaration of Witness 18, 15 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 204

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HERSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12
13 In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos, Republic

14 of Ecuador, on this fifteenth day of January of the year two thousand

15 and nine, before me,DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA

16 TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the First Notary Public’s

17 Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Mrs. [REDACTED],

18 Ecuadorian, a farmer, married, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, of

19 legal age, without any legal impediment to declare, to ask me to

20 convert her declaration into a public instrument, the same as follows:

21 “MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the Registry of Public

22 Instruments under your custody a declaration, contained in the

23 following clauses: FIRST: PARTY HERETO.- For the executionANNEX 204

1 of this public instrument, appears Mrs. [REDACTED], of Ecuadorian

2 nationality, bearer of identity card number [REDACTED], of legal

3 age, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, legally able to enter into and

4 be bound by contracts, on her own right; SECOND:

5 DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under oath, the deponent

6 declares the following: My name is [REDACTED], bearer of identity

7 card number [REDACTED]. I have lived in San Francisco I for

8 twenty-five years. I was born on [REDACTED]. I remember the

9 first time that the sprayings occurred; I was clearing the ground with

10 my friend in preparation for planting watermelons, about a kilometre

11 from San Miguel River. At ten in the morning, they started spraying.

12 At first, I could hear the noise of the planes and then I began to smell

13 a nasty odor in the air. Suddenly, I felt pain in my throat and it felt

14 raw. Also, my face was burning and my skin broke out in a rash. I

15 was afraid and I returned to the house. I washed my face with soap

16 and it soothed me a little. From the house, which is closer to the river,

17 we could see the planes better. My son climbed an orange tree and

18 watched from there. The planes seemed close, they crossed the river

19 to the Ecuadorian side and turned around near Mrs. Meche’s farm.

20 We could see the planes spraying a liquid as they passed by. A few

21 days later, bumps appeared on parts of my body that had not been

22 covered by my clothes, and they itched. Where my arms were ANNEX 204

1 covered by sleeves, there were only small bumps, and they did not

2 bother me as much. But the other bumps burned. I have ten children;

3 four of whom were in the house the first time I saw the sprayings.

4 Shortly after the spraying, three of them became sick with bumps on

5 their skin, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. My fourth son decided,

6 after the first spraying, to wear a mask while he worked outside and he

7 did not bathe in the river. He only got bumps on his skin. We went to

8 see the doctor in Lago Agrio and I also gave my children milk of

9 magnesia to soothe them. To this day, I still have health problems,

10 every morning I have a pus-like [substance] in my throat and I have to

11 spit it out. After all the problems caused by the fumigations, eight of

12 my children decided to look for a job in the highlands, and they do not

13 want to return because they are afraid; they hear an airplane and they

14 think that they are going to spray again. At the same time, shortly after

15 the fumigations, the plantain died. The maize stalks withered and

16 turned yellow. I had never seen this type of disease in plants before.

17 When bugs attack the plants, they do it from the root towards the top.

18 In this case, the plants were dying from top to bottom. Besides, I had

19 seen on some occasions in the past that when the plants get sick, only

20 one species is attacked, without affecting the other plants. But, during

21 those days, all the plants were affected, from pasture to fruit trees.

22 Nothing survived. The yucca died before the other plants. We haveANNEX 204

1 replanted yucca, but to this day, despite cooking the yucca, it is hard

2 and inedible. I know this has affected the Kichwa who live around

3 here, because they use yucca to preparchicha for their ceremonies.

4 Now, they can no longer drink chicha from chewed yucca. It was also

5 rare and very difficult for the disease to have affected the plants,

6 people and animals all at the same time – I had never seen anything

7 like it in my life. Also, four of the eight pigs died. They lost hair off

8 their backs and they rolled around on the ground as if something had

9 bitten them, the same thing with the dogs. We also had four cows and

10 they died. Since we had no crops to eat or sell, we sold chickens so we

11 could buy maize in Lago Agrio. After that month, we tried replanting

12 the crops but the plants did not do well. Some emerged and grew but

13 they dried up again when the planes returned and sprayed in the

14 following years. It took us a long time to save money to buy some

15 animals and now we have a few chickens and pigs. For now, we hope

16 that the planes do not spray again and steal our new investment;

17 THIRD: QUANTITY.- The quantity of this public instrument, due

18 to its, nature is undetermined.- Mr. Notary Public, please add the

19 customary clauses for the full validity of this public instrument.-

20 Signed by Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar Association Number

21 two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar Association of

22 Pichincha.- End of declaration.- This declaration has been converted ANNEX 204

1 into a public instrument with all its legal value.- All essential legal

2 requirements were observed for the execution of this instrument, and

3 once read by me, the Notary Public, to the party hereto, she ratifies

4 the entire content of this instrument and signs it with me, the Notary

5 Public, to which I attest.-

6 [signature]

7 [REDACTED]

8 CC. [REDACTED]

9 [signature]

10 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

11 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

12 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

13 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

14 [seal]

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22ANNEX 204

1 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

2 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

3 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

4 [signature]

5 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

6 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

7 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

8 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

9

10 [seal]

11

12

13

14

15ANNEX 204ANNEX 204ANNEX 204ANNEX 204ANNEX 204ANNEX 204ANNEX 204 ANNEX 205

Declaration of Witness 19, 17 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 205

1

2

3 DECLARATION

4 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

5 ON BEHALF OF: HIMSELF

6 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

7

8

9 I GAVE TWO COPIES

10 M/C

11

12

13
14 1. In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of

15 Sucumbíos, Republic of Ecuador, on this seventeenth day of January

16 of the year two thousand and nine, before meDOCTOR JOSÉ

17 MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the

18 First Notary Public’s Office of Lago Agrio Cantoappeared Mr.

19 [REDACTED], Ecuadorian, a farmer, single, domiciled in the city of

20 Nueva Loja, of legal age, without any legal impediment to declare, to

21 ask me to convert his declaration into a public instrument, the same as

22 follows: “MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the Registry

23 of Public Instruments under your custody a declaration, contained inANNEX 205

1 the following clauses: FIRST: PARTY HERETO.- For the

2 execution of this public instrument, appears Mr. [REDACTED], of

3 Ecuadorian nationality, bearer of citizenship card number

4 [REDACTED], of legal age, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja,

5 legally able to enter into and be bound by contracts, on his own right;

6 SECOND: DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under oath,

7 the deponent declares the following: My name is [REDACTED]. I

8 am Ecuadorian, born on [REDACTED]. I have worked as a farmer in

9 San Francisco I, Sucumbíos, for twenty years, ever since I was a child.

10 My farm is a total of twenty-five hectares. The source of my work is

11 coffee, which I sell in the market in Lago Agrio. When the first

12 spraying occurred, I was at my house. In the sky, above the bank of

13 the river, there were two planes and two helicopters. Shortly after

14 they sprayed, all the plants died. In all the years that I have worked the

15 land, I have never seen anything like it. That is why, after the

16 sprayings I wanted to investigate and know more about what was

17 happening. I walked to the river to see what I could observe in the

18 area, where the planes had flown by. It was incredible. On the

19 Colombian side, the land was a desert, where it used to be full of

20 forest. Everything, but everything, was dead. On this side of the river,

21 there were similar effects. The plantains did not develop fully, they

22 remained thin and then dried up. The yuccas died. So did the coffee. ANNEX 205

1 The roots were dry. At that moment, after the sprayings, we

2 experienced some kind of epidemic in which all the children in the

3 community became sick with vomiting, diarrhea and skin bumps.

4 Immediately after the sprayings, my eight-month-old son was

5 hospitalized for fifteen days, with diarrhea, vomiting and bumps on

6 his skin. He was seriously ill, he did not want to eat and we had to

7 take him to the city for treatment. We had diarrhea and vomiting, but

8 not as bad as my son. We had it for a week. I had chickens and pigs.

9 All the animals died. They died gradually. The animals started getting

10 thin, all at the same time. They did not want to eat the grass that had

11 turned yellow and dry after the sprayings, but we had nothing else to

12 give them. One by one, in a short period, all of them died. The

13 neighbors had the same problem with their animals, which had the

14 same symptoms. Some of them had some animals left, but many more

15 died. No one understood what was happening and we did not know

16 what to do. In the end, there was no food, and for the first time in my

17 life I stopped working on my farm in San Francisco and found a job

18 doing construction in Lago Agrio. I did it so that I could buy food in

19 town. In other years when the plants died after the sprayings, since we

20 had nothing to work with on our farms, we went to work in farms that

21 were farther away from the border. They had not been affected them

22 and one could work the crops. Now, we can sow once again the landANNEX 205

1 of San Francisco, but it does not produce like it did before. But as

2 each day goes by after the sprayings, one can see that the productivity

3 is improving little by little; THIRD: QUANTITY.- The quantity of

4 this public instrument, due to its, nature is undetermined.- Mr. Notary

5 Public, please add the customary clauses for the full validity of this

6 public instrument.- Signed by Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar

7 Association Number two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar

8 Association of Pichincha.- This declaration has been converted into a

9 public instrument with all its legal value.- All essential legal

10 requirements were observed for the execution of this instrument, and

11 once read by me, the Notary Public, to the party hereto, he ratifies the

12 entire content of this instrument and signs it with me, the Notary

13 Public, to which I attest.-

14

15 [signature]

16 [REDACTED]

17 CC. [REDACTED]

18

19

20

21

22 ANNEX 205

1 [signature]

2 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

3 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

4 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

5 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

6 [seal]

7

8 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

9 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

10 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

11

12 [signature]

13 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

14 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

15 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

16 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

17

18 [seal]

19

20

21
22ANNEX 205ANNEX 205ANNEX 205ANNEX 205ANNEX 205ANNEX 205 ANNEX 206

Declaration of Witness 20, 16 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 206

1 DECLARATION

2 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

3 ON BEHALF OF: HIMSELF

4 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

5

6

7 I GAVE TWO COPIES

8 M/C

9

10
11 1. In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of

12 Sucumbíos, Republic of Ecuador, on this sixteenth day of January of

13 the year two thousand and nine, before me, DOCTOR JOSÉ

14 MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the

15 First Notary Public’s Office of Lago Agrio Cantonappeared Mr.

16 [REDACTED], Ecuadorian, a farmer, single, domiciled in the city of

17 Nueva Loja, of legal age, without any legal impediment to declare, to

18 ask me to convert his declaration into a public instrument, the same as

19 follows: “MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the Registry

20 of Public Instruments under your custody an declaration, contained in

21 the following clauses: FIRST: PARTY HERETO.- For the

22 execution of this public instrument, appears Mr. [REDACTED], of

23 Ecuadorian nationality, bearer of citizenship card numberANNEX 206

1 [REDACTED], of legal age, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja,

2 legally able to enter into and be bound by contracts, on his own right;

3 SECOND: DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under oath,

4 the deponent declares the following: My name is [REDACTED],

5 bearer of citizenship card number [REDACTED]. I am Ecuadorian,

6 born on [REDACTED]. I live in Puerto Escondido, Ecuador, where I

7 have a house and a farm that produces maize, rice, orito [small

8 bananas] and coffee. I came to Puerto Escondido in the year nineteen

9 ninety-nine. I was barely settling down here with good harvests when

10 the sprayings came. I remember two fumigations nearby, although I

11 have seen planes spraying several times in the distance. The first

12 spraying that I remember was in the year two thousand and two. It

13 was late in the morning. I was with the pigs by the plantain fields

14 when I saw the planes. There were also helicopters. The planes were

15 flying like vultures fighting for food, going up and down repeatedly.

16 They were dropping white liquid that extended throughout the air. In

17 some areas it fell directly, in others it drifted with the wind. It smelled

18 bad, I could barely stand it. I felt the mist go into my eyes. My eyes

19 became sticky. I started to feel sick and I immediately returned home.

20 I got a headache and dizziness. When I got home, I shouted to my

21 children to go into the house because they were outside playing,

22 watching the planes. Still, a few days later my seven children had ANNEX 206

1 stomach aches and diarrhea. Before, they were healthy. They had

2 never been sick like this before; also, the other children in the

3 community became sick with the same thing. I did not know what to

4 give them, except for chamomile tea. The plants died a week or two

5 after the sprayings. The maize started to bend. I had three hectares of

6 yucca and I was not able to harvest any; it all dried up. I also had ten

7 hectares of coffee and cocoa, all of which turned yellow. All of my

8 pigs died. At first they were very fat, we usually fed thorito, but

9 after the fumigations the oritos were sick. The pigs did not want eat;

10 they became thin, and consequently they died. After what happened

11 with the first spraying, I did not want to replant and lose all of my

12 money again in the next spraying. I could have replanted yucca, but I

13 was afraid it would be destroyed again; THIRD: QUANTITY.- The

14 quantity of this public instrument, due to its, nature is undetermined.-

15 Mr. Notary Public, please add the customary clauses for the full

16 validity of this public instrument.- Signed by Doctor Iñigo Salvador

17 Crespo, Bar Association Number two thousand nine hundred and

18 thirty-eight, Bar Association of Pichincha.- End of declaration.- This

19 declaration has been converted into a public instrument with all its

20 legal value.- All essential legal requirements were observed for the

21 execution of this instrument, and once read by me, the Notary Public,ANNEX 206

1 to the party hereto, he ratifies the entire content of this instrument and

2 signs it with me, the Notary Public, to which I attest.-

3 [signature]

4 [REDACTED]

5 CC. [REDACTED]

6

7 [signature]

8 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

9 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE FIRST NOTARY

10 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

11 [seal]

12

13 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

14 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

15 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

16 [signature]

17 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

18 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

19 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

20 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

21 [seal]ANNEX 206ANNEX 206ANNEX 206ANNEX 206ANNEX 206ANNEX 206 ANNEX 207

Declaration of Witness 21, 16 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 207

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HERSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12
13 1. In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of

14 Sucumbíos, Republic of Ecuador, on this sixteenth day of January of

15 the year two thousand and nine, before me, DOCTOR JOSÉ

16 MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the

17 First Notary’s Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Ms.

18 [REDACTED], Colombian, a farmer and homemaker, single,

19 domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, of legal age, without any legal

20 impediment to declare, to ask me to convert her declaration into a

21 public instrument, the same as follows: “ MR. NOTARY PUBLIC:

22 Please include in the Registry of Public Instruments under your

23 custody a declaration, contained in the following claFIRST:ANNEX 207

1 PARTY HERETO.- For the execution of this public instrument,

2 appears Ms. [REDACTED], of Colombian nationality, bearer of

3 Colombian citizenship card number [REDACTED], of legal age,

4 domiciled in the city of Lago Agrio, legally able to enter into and be

5 bound by contracts, on her own right; SECOND: DECLARATION.-

6 Freely, voluntarily, and under oath, the deponent declares the

7 following: My name is [REDACTED], bearer of Colombian

8 citizenship card number [REDACTED]. I was born on

9 [REDACTED]. I have lived in Puerto Escondido, province of

10 Sucumbíos, Ecuador, for the past eighteen years. It is a small

11 community located on the banks of San Miguel River, near the

12 communities of Corazón Orense and Puerto Mestanza. My house is

13 less than one hundred meters from the river and, if it were not for the

14 forest, one could see the river from my kitchen. I was outside of my

15 house when the first spraying occurred. Some planes came

16 accompanied by helicopters. One could see the planes very close, on

17 the other side of the river. There was a haze, like mist that came down

18 from the planes. I saw another spraying a few years later, in the

19 same way . After each spraying, the maize plantations were damaged.

20 The rice no longer grew, it became yellowish. When this happened

21 after the first spraying, some people said that this was not because of

22 the sprayings, but possibly due to a pest. But, when the exact same ANNEX 207

1 thing happened after the second fumigations, there was no doubt that

2 it was on account of the sprayings. After this, the soil became weak.

3 The crops that grew were weak, small and of poor quality. The

4 quantities of maize harvested now are far less than what could be

5 drawn from the earth before. Now, I have six children, my youngest

6 girl was born days before the last spraying. With each spraying, all

7 six had a flu, with a runny nose, inflammation of the throat, chills and

8 fever. They had trouble breathing. The medicine that we bought to

9 cure my children’s illness did not work. We did not know how to

10 treat this new illness. We took them to the San José Clinic in Lago

11 Agrio. I bought them several medicines but none worked. Finally,

12 they got better, but I do not know if it was the medicine that did it.

13 Both times, I had chickens that died. The first chicks born after the

14 first spraying had no eyes and they were disfigured; they were very

15 strange. Many of the chickens that were healthy before could no

16 longer lay eggs, due to the lack of maize, since the plants had been

17 damaged; THIRD: QUANTITY.- The quantity of this public

18 instrument, due to its, nature is undetermined.- Mr. Notary Public,

19 please add the customary clauses for the full validity of this public

20 instrument.- Signed by Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar Association

21 Number two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar Association

22 of Pichincha.- This declaration has been converted into a publicANNEX 207

1 instrument with all its legal value. All essential legal requirements

2 were observed for the execution of this instrument, and once read by

3 me, the Notary Public, to the party hereto, she ratifies the entire

4 contents of this instrument and signs it with me, the Notary Public, to

5 which I attest.-

6 [signature]

7 [REDACTED]

8 CI. [REDACTED]

9 [signature]

10 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

11 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

12 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

13 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

14 [seal]

15 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

16 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

17 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

18 [signature]

19 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

20 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

21 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

22 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

23 [seal]ANNEX 207ANNEX 207ANNEX 207ANNEX 207ANNEX 207ANNEX 207 ANNEX 208

Declaration of Witness 22, 16 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 208

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HIMSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12
13 1. In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos,

14 Republic of Ecuador, on this sixteenth day of January of the year two

15 thousand and nine, before me, DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA

16 BARRAZUETA TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the First

17 Notary Public’s Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Mr.

18 [REDACTED], Ecuadorian, a farmer, single, domiciled in the city of

19 Nueva Loja, of legal age, without any legal impediment to declare, to

20 ask me to convert his declaration into a public instrument, the same as

21 follows: “MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the Registry

22 of Public Instruments under your custody a declaration, contained in

23 the following clauses: FIRST: PARTY HERETO.- For theANNEX 208

1 execution of this public instrument, appears Mr. [REDACTED], of

2 Ecuadorian nationality, bearer of identity card number [REDACTED],

3 of legal age, domiciled in the city of Lago Agrio, legally able to enter

4 into and be bound by contracts, on his own right; SECOND:

5 DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under oath, the deponent

6 declares the following: My name is [REDACTED], bearer of identity

7 card number [REDACTED], born in the year nineteen fifty-one. I live

8 in the community of Puerto Escondido, in the province of Sucumbíos,

9 Ecuador. My village is located on the edge of the San Miguel River,

10 which borders Colombia. Since the year two thousand and two, or

11 thereabouts, Colombia has sprayed around here approximately every

12 six or eight months, for a number of years. Since I live on the banks

13 of the river, I have been attentive to the noise that comes from the

14 planes and helicopters that escort the planes. That is why I have seen

15 the sprayings several times. During one of the first times, the planes

16 came from the Colombian side and turned around on the Ecuadorian

17 side. From the planes came out a whitish smoke, and with the wind

18 came a horrible smell. The smell was perceived most strongly maybe

19 three hours after the spraying, and it remained for a prolonged period

20 of time. Within a few weeks, we began to suffer the impacts. At that

21 moment, I had planted maize, rice and coffee on my farm. The plants

22 turned yellow, the maize no longer produced, the leaves from the ANNEX 208

1 coffee fell off, the chickens no longer incubated their eggs. The

2 chicks were born with no eyes, only with the cavities where the eyes

3 should have been, and some were deformed with the beak longer than

4 normal, the body crushed, and the legs crooked. They died a few

5 hours after birth. I had never seen anything like it before. The dogs got

6 thin. At the same time, the pigs got sick and did not fatten up.

7 Pregnant pigs, like the chickens, did not have good offspring. They

8 were born weak and undernourished, and they were not well

9 developed. I had to stop raising pigs because they were born

10 unhealthy and I was losing more money than I made. In addition,

11 shortly after the spraying, I saw dead muchileros. Muchileros are wild

12 birds about the size of a small chicken with bluish-black feathers.

13 During the sprayings, I noticed that the birds were fleeing the area

14 being sprayed; they flew away. I had strong headaches, and a

15 recurring flu. I became so sick that I could not work nor take care of

16 my farm. I was not the only one who got sick. My nephews had red

17 bumps on their skin, diarrhea, cough, and fever, and their eyes would

18 turned red and burned. Their mother had never seen her children like

19 that, with so many problems at the same time, she did not know how

20 to treat them. She asked other mothers in the community, but their

21 children also had this strange disease and they did not know what to

22 do. When these diseases returned after the sprayings, in other years,ANNEX 208

1 we already had a better idea of what they were, although there was not

2 much that could be done. Before they sprayed, I could harvest twenty-

3 five or thirty quintals from one or two hectares in my farm. Afterward,

4 nothing was harvested. The land no longer supported the plants, and

5 the few plants that came out were too small and of poor quality. We

6 barely had anything to eat. We had no money to pay for my family,

7 just as we had nothing to sell in the market. Now, as of two years ago,

8 since there have been no sprayings, the soil has been improving; and

9 we have some produce to sell; THIRD: QUANTITY.- The quantity

10 of this public instrument, due to its, nature is undetermined.- Mr.

11 Notary Public, please add the customary clauses for the full validity of

12 this public instrument.- Signed by Doctor Íñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar

13 Association Number two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar

14 Association of Pichincha.- This declaration has been converted into a

15 public instrument with all its legal value.- All essential legal

16 requirements were observed for the execution of this instrument, and

17 once read by me, the Notary Public, to the party hereto, he ratifies the

18 entire content of this instrument and signs it with me, the Notary

19 Public, to which I attest.-

20

21

22 ANNEX 208

1 [SIGNATURE]

2 [REDACTED]

3 CC. [REDACTED]

4

5 [SIGNATURE]

6 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

7 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

8 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

9 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

10 [seal]

11

12 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

13 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

14 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

15

16 [signature]

17 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

18 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

19 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

20 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

21

22 [seal]ANNEX 208ANNEX 208ANNEX 208ANNEX 208ANNEX 208ANNEX 208 ANNEX 209

Declaration of Witness 23, 16 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 209

1

2 DECLARATION

3 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

4 ON BEHALF OF: HERSELF

5 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

6

7

8 I GAVE TWO COPIES

9 M/C

10

11

12
13 1. In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos,

14 Republic of Ecuador, on this sixteenth day of January of the year two

15 thousand and nine, before me, DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA

16 BARRAZUETA TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the First

17 Notary Public’s Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Ms.

18 [REDACTED], Ecuadorian, a farmer and homemaker, single,

19 domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, of legal age, without any legal

20 impediment to declare, to ask me to convert her declaration into a

21 public instrument, the same as follows: “ MR. NOTARY PUBLIC:

22 Please include in the Registry of Public Instruments under your

23 custody a declaration, contained in the following claFIRST:ANNEX 209

1 PARTY HERETO.- For the execution of this public instrument,

2 appears Ms. [REDACTED], of Ecuadorian nationality, bearer of

3 citizenship card number [REDACTED], of legal age, domiciled in the

4 city of Nueva Loja, legally able to enter into and be bound by

5 contracts, on her own right; SECOND: DECLARATION.- Freely,

6 voluntarily, and under oath, the deponent declares the following: My

7 name is [REDACTED], bearer of citizenship card number

8 [REDACTED], born in the province of Zamora-Chinchipe, on

9 [REDACTED]. I live in the town of Puerto Escondido. It is a

10 community of about twenty houses, near Puerto Mestanza and

11 Corazón Orense, on the banks of the San Miguel River.

12 Unfortunately, I have experienced the consequences of the

13 fumigations several times. I think that the first time the sprayings

14 came was in the year two thousand and two. I was working outside

15 my house and I heard a noise that was approaching from the

16 Colombian side. I became curious and went to the riverbank, near my

17 house, to see what was happening. I saw three planes that were

18 accompanied by helicopters. They were flying over Colombian

19 territory up to the riverbank. They were going up and down over the

20 trees, dropping a foul-smelling, gray-white mist. A few minutes later,

21 all of a sudden, I could not breathe. My throat closed up and I started

22 choking, like when one breathes in dust. A couple of days later, my ANNEX 209

1 skin also became irritated, bumps appeared and they itched intensely.

2 A week or two after I saw the planes spraying, the maize and rice were

3 affected, drying up. The leaves of the plants had yellow spots, and

4 then they turned completely yellow, fell off and, finally, the plants

5 dried up completely. After two days, the chickens, who had nothing

6 to eat but the affected plants, started to make a noise as if they were

7 choking and they died. One of my pigs that was pregnant also died the

8 following day. At least my other pigs survived. On my farm, I had a

9 hectare of maize and a half hectare of plantain which either died or

10 stopped producing. Three months later, we tried to sow the plants

11 again, but the crops did not give us good products; THIRD:

12 QUANTITY.- The quantity of this public instrument, due to its,

13 nature is undetermined.- Mr. Notary Public, please add the customary

14 clauses for the full validity of this public instrument.- Signed by

15 Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar Association Number two thousand

16 nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar Association of Pichincha.- This

17 declaration has been converted into a public instrument with all its

18 legal value. All essential legal requirements were observed for the

19 execution of this instrument, and once read by me, the Notary Public,

20 to the party hereto, she ratifies the entire contents of this instrument

21 and signs it with me, the Notary Public, to which I attest.-

22ANNEX 209

1 [signature]

2 [REDACTED]

3 CC. [REDACTED]

4

5

6 [signature]

7 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

8 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

9 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

10 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON
11

12 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

13 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

14 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

15 [signature]

16 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

17 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

18 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

19 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

20

21 [seal]ANNEX 209ANNEX 209ANNEX 209ANNEX 209ANNEX 209ANNEX 209 ANNEX 210

Declaration of Witness 26, 17 Feb. 2009 ANNEX 210

1 DECLARATION

2 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

3 ON BEHALF OF: HERSELF

4 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

5

6

7 I GAVE TWO COPIES

8 M/C

9

10

11

12 In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos, Republic

13 of Ecuador, on this seventeenth day of February of the year two

14 thousand and nine, before me, Doctor JOSÉ MARÍA

15 BARRAZUETA TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the First

16 Notary Public’s Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Ms.

17 [REDACTED], Ecuadorian, a homemaker and a farmer, single,

18 domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, of legal age, without any legal

19 impediment to declare, to ask me to convert her declaration into a

20 public instrument, the same as follows: “ MR. NOTARY PUBLIC:

21 Please include in the Registry of Public Instruments under your

22 custody a declaration, contained in the following claFIRST:ANNEX 210

1 PARTY HERETO.- For the execution of this public instrument,

2 appears Ms. [REDACTED], of Ecuadorian nationality, bearer of

3 citizenship card number [REDACTED], of legal age, domiciled in the

4 city of Nueva Loja, legally able to enter into and be bound by

5 contracts, on her own right; SECOND: DECLARATION.- Freely,

6 voluntarily, and under oath, the deponent declares the following: My

7 name is [REDACTED], I am Ecuadorian, and I belong to the Cofán

8 indigenous nationality. I am the bearer of citizenship card number

9 [REDACTED]; I was born on [REDACTED]. I have eight children,

10 five boys and three girls. My family is from Sábalo, Cuyabeno; I live

11 in the Avie Community, also known as Tayusu Kankhe. The

12 community is located next to the San Miguel River, in the Cofán-

13 Bermejo Ecological Reserve. The Reserve is near the border of the

14 Colombian regions of Putumayo and Nariño. There are three more

15 Cofán communities in that area of the Reservation, Alto Bermejo,

16 Chandia Na’en , and Sukie Kankhe . I take care of the household

17 chores, my children and I also help with agricultural activities. Before

18 the sprayings, we all lived peacefully in the community; we used to

19 see in the news about the sprayings, but that was happening in other

20 places. The first time we saw the sprayings we were very frightened.

21 The planes brought smoke with them and they passed over my house.

22 I would not let my children go outside nor did I send them anywhere; I ANNEX 210

1 was afraid they would get sick because I had already seen them sick

2 after the sprayings. My health is affected, I feel sick, I have

3 headaches, and I live in fear. The crops were also affected, now there

4 is hardly any work; I can no longer help provide for my children and

5 their education. The plants no longer produce as they used to. When I

6 harvested the yucca plant to cook meals, I realized that the yucca was

7 damaged; it is no longer the same. The yucca is normally white

8 inside, but after the sprayings, the yucca seemed as if it were stained

9 inside, before the sprayings this was not seen. From three or four

10 small farms, it can be that only one yucca is good, which is why the

11 community shares everything; but there is more hunger, there is not

12 enough food for everyone. If we do not help each other, we will not

13 be able to survive all of this that is happening to us. We used to live

14 close to the border and then we moved to live in the interior of

15 Bermejo River, thinking that this way we were going to be safe, but

16 we were still affected. After the sprayings, my children had to leave

17 to find work; some work in Coca, in the province of Orellana, others

18 in Lago Agrio and others in General Farfán. The family has

19 separated, now I live with only one daughter. All this displacement,

20 which has been caused by the sprayings, has very much affected our

21 community, we used to live near the border in the land of the Cofán,

22 but we left there, moving away from the border and our community,ANNEX 210

1 fleeing from the sprayings. But this displacement has affected our

2 traditions, it is very important for the Cofán people to keep their roots,

3 the tradition of the Cofán people is to marry people from the same

4 Cofán nationality. But after the families leave the communities, the

5 young people turn away from the traditions. They no longer marry

6 members of the Cofán nationality and they do not return to the

7 communities, they remain in the village. This separation has been

8 very difficult for all of THIRD: QUANTITY.- The quantity of

9 this public instrument, due to its nature, is undetermined.- Mr. Notary

10 Public, please add the customary clauses for the full validity of this

11 public instrument.- Signed by Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar

12 Association Number two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar

13 Association of Pichincha.- This declaration has been converted into a

14 public instrument with all its legal value.- All essential legal

15 requirements were observed for the execution of this instrument, and

16 once read by me, the Notary Public, to the party hereto, she ratifies

17 the entire content of this instrument and signs it with me, the Notary

18 Public, to which I attest.-

19

20

21

22 ANNEX 210

1 [signature]

2 [REDACTED]

3 CC. [REDACTED]

4

5

6 [signature]

7 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

8 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

9 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

10 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

11

12

13 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

14 hereunto signed and sealed this SECOND COPY, which I issue in the

15 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

16

17 [signature]

18 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

19 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

20 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

21 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

22 [seal]ANNEX 210ANNEX 210ANNEX 210ANNEX 210ANNEX 210ANNEX 210 ANNEX 211

Declaration of Witness 27, 17 Feb. 2009 ANNEX 211
[seal]

1 DECLARATION

2 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

3 ON BEHALF OF: HIMSELF

4 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

5

6

7 I GAVE TWO COPIES

8 M/C

9

10

11 In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos, Republic

12 of Ecuador, on this seventeenth day of February of the year two

13 thousand and nine, before me, DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA

14 BARRAZUETA TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the First

15 Notary Public’s Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Mr.

16 [REDACTED], Ecuadorian, of occupation farmer, marital status

17 domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, of legal age, without any legal

18 impediment to declare, to ask me to convert his declaration into a

19 public instrument, the same as follows: “ MR. NOTARY PUBLIC:

20 Please include in the Registry of Public Instruments under your

21 custody a declaration, contained in the following claFIRST:

22 PARTY HERETO.- For the execution of this public instrument,ANNEX 211
[seal]

1 appears Mr. [REDACTED], of Ecuadorian nationality, owner of

2 citizenship card number [REDACTED], of legal age, domiciled in the

3 city of Nueva Loja, legally able to enter into and be bound by

4 contracts, on his own right; SECOND: DECLARATION.- Freely,

5 voluntarily, and under oath, the deponent declares the following: My

6 name is [REDACTED], I was born on [REDACTED]. I am

7 Ecuadorian, of the Cofán indigenous nationality, with citizenship card

8 number [REDACTED]. I live in the Avie community, which is

9 located in the Cofán-Bermejo Ecological Reserve, on the banks of the

10 San Miguel River. The Cofán families are in Ecuador and Colombia,

11 on both sides of the river. In Colombia, they are near the border in

12 Santa Rosa de los Cofanes. I remember the first spraying. We were

13 on the banks of the river, and we saw the planes go by and helicopters

14 escorting them. We did not know what they were, but we were afraid.

15 We saw them spraying on the Colombian side, but they also crossed to

16 the Ecuadorian side to turn around. With the wind, the white smoke

17 that came out of the planes came to the Ecuadorian side. The life of

18 the Cofán used to be to hunt or fish when he needed food. We used to

19 hunt deer. To hunt the tapir, seven families would go, because it has a

20 lot of meat. We used to hunt sahino boars, monkeys and dusky-legged

21 guans (birds). Now, there are no animals. The animals that used to

22 live on the banks of the river, such as the guanta, no longer come out, ANNEX 211
[seal]

1 their prints are no longer seen, they have hidden farther into the

2 jungle. The tapir no longer comes to the river. Thguanta does not

3 come out at night either nor theguatusa that eats the guabas. It is

4 more difficult to get food in the jungle now. After the sprayings, I

5 noticed a change in the forest. The ceibos [tropical trees] that grow by

6 the riverbank do not grow to be very large. The big trees in the jungle

7 have dried up. The settlers who lived in the area have already left, but

8 we are staying. We have nowhere to go, our land is everything that

9 we have, the reserve has been our home forever. Also, we used to

10 plant plantain, yucca and maize for food. During the period after the

11 sprayings, the plants turned yellow and the yucca was stained in the

12 inside. The plantain used to yield four harvests per year; the yucca

13 was harvested at six months and a year. Now, it no longer grows.

14 Our crops do not produce as much as they used to. The yucca is

15 stained on the inside and grows small. The few chickens that we had

16 came down with a disease and several of them died. I am President of

17 the Avie Community and I have to travel to Lago Agrio for the

18 meetings of the Cofán Federation. To get to Lago Agrio, I take a

19 motor canoe three hours to General Farfán, and another hour by bus to

20 Lago Agrio. Among our traditions, one of the most important is the

21 role of the shaman, known as “curaga” in the Cofán language, in

22 spiritual ceremonies and as leader of the community. My grandfatherANNEX 211
[seal]

1 was a curaga and so was my father. The curaga drinks yagé as part of

2 a ceremony that we conduct before going hunting, in which the

3 curaga turns himself into the animal that we want to hunt so as to lure

4 him. Now, the curaga no longer has good visions and has difficulties

5 in contacting the animals to facilitate the hunting. He says that the

6 sprayings have affected the air and the yagé does not produce the

7 same effects as before. The medicinal plants have also been lost. A

8 plant, which we call “ fatucco sibi” that used to grow on the banks of

9 the San Miguel River and is good for curing blisters in the mouth, sore

10 throats, and coughs no longer grows there. Now, we have to look for

11 it in the other rivers. Before, we only used healing plants based on our

12 traditions. Since the sprayings, I have had to go to the Health Center

13 in General Farfán to be treated for throat inflammation caused by

14 drinking water contaminated during the sprayings. After the spraying,

15 we in the community were afflicted with a snot-like thing in our

16 noses, sore throats, headaches and rashes on our arms. It was the first

17 time that we had seen something like it and it made us very scared,

18 and even more scared when we saw that the medicinal plants were

19 dying; THIRD: QUANTITY.- The quantity of this public

20 instrument, due to its nature, is undetermined.- Mr. Notary Public,

21 please add the customary clauses for the full validity of this public

22 instrument.- Signed by Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar Association ANNEX 211
[seal]

1 Number two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar Association

2 of Pichincha.- This declaration has been converted into a public

3 instrument with all its legal value.- All essential legal requirements

4 were observed for the execution of this instrument, and once read by

5 me, the Notary Public, to the party hereto, he ratifies the entire content

6 of this instrument and signs it with me, the Notary Public, to which I

7 attest.-

8

9 [signature]

10 [REDACTED]

11 C.C [REDACTED]

12

13 [signature]

14 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

15 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

16 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

17 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

18

19 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

20 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the city

21 of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

22ANNEX 211
[seal]

1 [signature]

2 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

3 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

4 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

5 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

6

7 [seal]

8

9

10ANNEX 211ANNEX 211ANNEX 211ANNEX 211ANNEX 211ANNEX 211ANNEX 211 ANNEX 212

Declaration of Witness 28, 17 Feb. 2009 ANNEX 212
[seal]

1 DECLARATION

2 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

3 ON BEHALF OF: HIMSELF

4 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

5

6

7 I GAVE TWO COPIES

8 M/C

9

10

11

12 In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos, Republic

13 of Ecuador, on this seventeenth day of February of the year two

14 thousand and nine, before me, DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA

15 BARRAZUETA TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the First

16 Notary Public’s Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Mr.

17 [REDACTED], Ecuadorian, a farmer, single, domiciled in the city of

18 Nueva Loja, of legal age, without any legal impediment to declare, to

19 ask me to convert his declaration into a public instrument, the same as

20 follows: “MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the Registry

21 of Public Instruments under your custody a declaration, contained inANNEX 212
[seal]

1 the following clauses: FIRST: PARTY HERETO.- For the

2 execution of this public instrument, appears Mr. [REDACTED], of

3 Ecuadorian nationality, bearer of citizenship card number

4 [REDACTED], of legal age, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja,

5 legally able to enter into and be bound by contracts, on his own right;

6 SECOND: DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under oath,

7 the deponent declares the following: My name is [REDACTED]. I

8 am Ecuadorian, and I belong to the Kichwa ethnic group. I am the

9 bearer of citizenship card number [REDACTED]. I live in the

10 Kichwa community of Yana Amarum, where I served as Secretary of

11 the Community between two thousand and two (2002) and two

12 thousand and four (2004). Yana Amarum is located on the banks of the

13 San Miguel River, bordering Colombia, in the province of Sucumbíos.

14 During my time living in Yana Amarum, we suffered a lot due to the

15 sprayings. Before the sprayings, life was normal and happy. I had my

16 crops: yucca, plantain, coffee, rice, and maize. Everyone had enough

17 to eat and to make a bit of money. But a few years ago, the first

18 sprayings came. When I saw the planes spraying for the first time, I

19 was working on my farm. We did not know that they were sprayings;

20 we had seen helicopters before but we had never seen those white

21 planes or the white cloud that they brought. They came from

22 Colombia, up to the San Miguel River; they would cross to the ANNEX 212
[seal]

1 Ecuadorian side and turn around. I saw the smoke coming out of the

2 planes and reaching our community. It fell over our plants, it was like

3 a mist, like a drizzle. About two days after that spraying, the plants

4 started to wither; they dried up day after day, as if they had no water.

5 We did not understand why this was happening – we had never seen

6 anything like it before – but we realized that the same thing had

7 happened before in Chone II and in some border communities in

8 Colombia, following the sprayings there. The effect on the yucca was

9 particularly difficult for us; the yucca is our central food, which is

10 eaten everyday. Furthermore, it is used to make chicha, a traditional

11 beverage that the Kichwa people have always drunk. The beverage is

12 made by mixing water with a yucca mixture, which the Kichwa people

13 always take with them everywhere they go. But after the yucca dried

14 up, it was very hard to make the mixture for the chicha, since the

15 yucca did not get softer after cooking it. Before we used to plant the

16 stem of the yucca and it would sprout; but after the sprayings, we

17 would plant it and the plant would not grow, the stem seemed to be

18 poisoned, it would dry up in the ground. The situation was very

19 serious, because these plants are the basis of our diet. After the

20 sprayings, we had nothing to eat. The same thing happened with the

21 maize. It is only very recently that the yucca has started to grow well

22 again. Since we no longer had any crops to sell, we tried to sell ourANNEX 212
[seal]

1 chickens and pigs, but people would not buy them because they

2 looked sick. All the smaller pigs died. The effects were also observed

3 in some of the wildlife. Yana Amarum is located near a hunting-and-

4 fishing reserve. Following the sprayings, those who lived off hunting

5 no longer found the animals they used to hunt, such as thecerillo (a

6 mountain pig), monkeys, armadillos, and guantas. I used to fish

7 everyday; and, one day after the first spraying, I went fishing, as

8 always, but what I found were dead fish in the estuary, floating in the

9 water whitish and swollen. I saw that the fish were no longer safe to

10 eat and I returned home empty handed. A few days after the planes

11 flew by, my wife, who had been outside working during the sprayings,

12 became sick with bumps on her legs, which turned into white spots

13 that she still has to this day. Finally, in 2004, had to leave the

14 community to work in the city of Puerto Nuevo, because after the

15 sprayings, there was nothing to harvest in Yana Amarum, and life had

16 become too hard. I have always earned a living by selling the crops

17 that we grew and the land produced, but now the land no longer

18 produces as it used to, and I had to look for work doing something

19 different from I what I have always done. Sometimes, I work in the

20 boats in Puerto Nuevo, helping with the cargo. There one can still

21 find a job because of the commerce that exists there, but in my

22 community we only live off the crops, that is why the sprayings affect ANNEX 212
[seal]

1 us so much in the country. I was not the only one to leave. Of

2 eighteen families, four left in search of a better life, farther from the

3 border and their problems; THIRD: QUANTITY.- The quantity of

4 this public instrument, due to its nature, is undetermined.- Mr. Notary

5 Public, please add the customary clauses for the full validity of this

6 public instrument.- Signed by Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar

7 Association Number two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar

8 Association of Pichincha.- This declaration has been converted into a

9 public instrument with all its legal value.- All essential legal

10 requirements were observed for the execution of this instrument, and

11 once read by me, the Notary Public, to the party hereto, he ratifies the

12 entire content of this instrument and signs it with me, the Notary

13 Public, to which I attest.-

14

15

16 [signature]

17 [REDACTED]

18 CC. [REDACTED]

19

20

21ANNEX 212
[seal]

1

2 [signature]

3 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

4 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

5 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

6 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

7

8 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

9 hereunto signed and sealed this FIRST COPY, which I issue in the

10 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

11

12 [signature]

13 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

14 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

15 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

16 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

17

18 [seal]

19

20

21ANNEX 212ANNEX 212ANNEX 212ANNEX 212ANNEX 212ANNEX 212ANNEX 212 ANNEX 213

Declaration of Witness 29, 16 Jan. 2009 ANNEX 213
[seal]

1 DECLARATION

2 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

3 ON BEHALF OF: HERSELF [sic]

4 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

5

6 I GAVE TWO COPIES
7

8 M/C

9

10

11

12 In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos, Republic

13 of Ecuador, on this sixteenth day of January of the year two thousand

14 and nine, before me, Doctor JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA

15 TOLEDO, Acting Notary Public of the First Notary Public’s

16 Office of Lago Agrio Canton, appeared Ms.[ sic] [REDACTED],

17 Ecuadorian, a student, single, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, of

18 legal age, without any legal impediment to declare, to ask me to

19 convert his declaration into a public instrument, the same as follows:

20 “MR. NOTARY PUBLIC: Please include in the Registry of Public

21 Instruments under your custody a declaration, contained in the

22 following clauses: FIRST: PARTY HERETO.- For the executionANNEX 213
[seal]

1 of this public instrument, appears Ms.[ sic] [REDACTED], of

2 Ecuadorian nationality, bearer of citizenship card number

3 [REDACTED], of legal age, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja,

4 legally able to enter into and be bound by contracts, on his own right;

5 SECOND: DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under oath,

6 the deponent declares the following: My name is [REDACTED]. I

7 was born on [REDACTED] and I am the bearer of the Ecuadorian

8 citizenship card number [REDACTED]. I am a member of the Cofán

9 indigenous community. At present I am a student in the eleventh

10 grade at the “Quito” High School in Lago Agrio, where I reside. I

11 was about ten years old when I experienced the first spraying. At that

12 time, I was studying in the school in Santa Rosa de los Cofánes, in

13 Colombian territory, because it was the closest school to the Cofán

14 community of Avie, on the Ecuadorian side of the San Miguel River,

15 where I lived with my parents. The area where my family lives is

16 located in the Cofán-Bermejo Ecological Reserve. When the first

17 spraying occurred, we were in school and we saw several planes come

18 by. The planes flew many times over the same place, every time they

19 came. Sometimes, when we were playing or fishing in the river and

20 heard the planes come, we would hide behind the tree. But

21 afterwards, we no longer went out to play or fish for fear of the planes.

22 Once, when we were by the riverbank, we saw the planes coming with ANNEX 213
[seal]

1 their white smoke from the Colombian side, and they turned around

2 over Ecuador and returned. Within a week of the sprayings, I

3 developed bumps, a fever, headache, vomiting, and dizziness, which

4 lasted some two or three weeks. I was treated with medicinal plants,

5 although their powers were not as they had been before. When the

6 sprayings began, I stopped going to school for fear of the planes and

7 helicopters. I spent a whole year out of school. For this reason, and

8 with the help of the Cofán foundation, I went to study in Quito at the

9 Jean Jacques Rousseau School, in Carcelén Norte, and I lived in the

10 Cofán foundation. I was there from sixth grade to tenth grade. Every

11 summer vacation, I would go back to Avie. In August of two thousand

12 and eight I returned permanently to finish high school in Lago Agrio.

13 When we were kids, my older brothers and I used to go hunting with

14 the shotgun for paca, guatusa, coati, panguanas, guan; and, with the

15 blowgun for muchileros, small parrots and other birds. With a fishnet

16 and hook, we used to fish bocachico, doradas, shad and picalones.

17 Last July, I went to Avie. There are not as many animals as there used

18 to be in the jungle near the river. I saw the change after spending so

19 much time in Quito. I used to be worried about my parents and

20 siblings because in Quito I would hear in the news about the

21 sprayings. My father would tell me that my siblings would get sick

22 during the spraying periods because, while I was in Quito, they usedANNEX 213
[seal]

1 to tell me that the planes continued to spray. The customs of my

2 people have changed. Work has changed. Before, they used to work

3 with the plantain, yucca and maize. Now, I see that they no longer

4 work because the plants do not produce. My father is never going to

5 leave the mountain because we, the Cofán, live with the mountain, but

6 the settlers who lived around the reserve have left due to all the effects

7 from the sprayings. But my family has been in the reserve for

8 generations, my grandfather and great-grandfather lived in this place,

9 they were born and spent their entire lives there. That is why my

10 father will not leave this place, his roots are there. Also, my

11 grandfather, who is the curaga of the community, has changed.

12 Before, he used to drink a lot of yagé as part of his spiritual practice.

13 When I was young, I used to drink yagé with my grandfather. One

14 time, it erased everything for me, I could not think, or move, only talk,

15 and I could see visions of the bad things that I had done. I used to like

16 drinking yagé with my grandfather and sharing our visions and trips.

17 Now, since I returned, I drank yagé again. My grandfather no longer

18 drinks yagé, as he used to, because he says that the plant no longer

19 works and the visions no longer come. It seems that his power and

20 curaga spirit have been weakened a lot because he can no longer

21 perform his rituals to know how to guide and protect the people;

22 THIRD: QUANTITY.- The quantity of this public instrument, due ANNEX 213
[seal]

1 to its nature, is undetermined.- Mr. Notary Public, please add the

2 customary clauses for the full validity of this public instrument.-

3 Signed by Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar Association Number

4 two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar Association of

5 Pichincha.- This declaration has been converted into a public

6 instrument with all its legal value.- All essential legal requirements

7 were observed for the execution of this instrument, and once read by

8 me, the Notary Public, to the party hereto, he ratifies the entire

9 content of this instrument and signs it with me, the Notary Public, to

10 which I attest.-

11

12 [signature]

13 [REDACTED]

14 CC. [REDACTED]

15

16 [signature]

17 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

18 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

19 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

20 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTONANNEX 213
[seal]

1 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have

2 hereunto signed and sealed this SECOND COPY, which I issue in the

3 city of Nueva Loja, on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

4

5 [signature]

6 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

7 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

8 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

9 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

10

11 [seal]

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21ANNEX 213ANNEX 213ANNEX 213ANNEX 213ANNEX 213ANNEX 213ANNEX 213 ANNEX 214

Declaration of Witness 30, 19 Feb. 2009 ANNEX 214


NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF ESMERALDAS

[Notary Seal]

DECLARATION

GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

NUMBER: 480

In the city of Esmeraldas, in the Canton and Province with same name, Republic

of Ecuador, on the nineteenth day of February of the year two thousand and nine,

before me, ATTORNEY ALFREDO RIVERA DROUET, FIFTH NOTARY

PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF ESMERALDAS, appeared Mr. [REDACTED],

Ecuadorian, of legal age, legally able to enter into and be bound by contracts.

Having presented his personal documents to me, as required by law in these

cases, I hereby certify that he is personally known to me. He has come freely and

voluntarily, without any type of coercion and in full use of his intellectual

faculties, as so expressed by him, to ask that I take his declaration. For that

purpose, being duly sworn according to the law, after being informed of the

seriousness of the oath, of the penalties for perjury and of his obligation to tell the

truth, he states the following: I, [REDACTED], informed of the obligation that I

have to tell the truth clearly and accurately in accordance with the existing laws,

and of the penalties for the crime of perjury, freely and voluntarily declare that:

First: My name is [REDACTED]. I was born on [REDACTED]. I have lived in

Mataje, Province of Esmeraldas, for thirty-four years. My house is about seventy

ANNEX 214


meters from the Mataje River, which borders Colombia. I live off agriculture; I

have my own farm but sometimes I go to work on the palm plantations. In my

house lives my wife and three of my children. Second: We have endured the

sprayings three times. The first time it occurred was in the year two thousand. I

saw several planes that were flying by with some helicopters. The planes were

flying over Ecuadorian territory, as if to turn around. I was working on my farm,

clearing the land with a machete. The planes were flying very close to the river,

dropping a liquid that drifted with the wind toward us. It looked as if smoke was

coming out of the planes. The smoke descended to the ground. An oily

substance fell on the plants, and it glistened on the leaf. When I saw these planes,

I hid under a tree and that is why very little of the liquid fell on me. But,

afterward I returned to work and, as I was clearing the land, my skin touched the

plants. I immediately felt my skin itch. Within a few days, I had bumps on my

skin. The bumps burned. My wife’s hands were affected and they itched. We

went to see the nurse, who gave us a paste for our skin. Everyone in the

community went to see the nurse for treatment. Third: We live connected with

the river, the children bathe in the river, my wife washes in the river. Now, we

have drinking water, but during the time of the first fumigation, we did not have

drinking water. At that time we would drink water from the river. Fourth: On

the farm, I had planted yucca, chileno, guineo (a type of banana), and cacao.

After the sprayings, my crops were affected. Eight days after the sprayings, the

 ANNEX 214


leaves on the cacao tree started falling off, until not a single leaf was left; the tree

dried up completely and it died. The same thing happened with the yucca. Within

three days, the leaves fell off the yucca and even the root rotted; the root smelled.

The guineo also dried up, the leaves were drying up and withering. The plants

turned yellow. After a few weeks, everything was dead. All the plants were

dead on the ground. Fifth: I had some animals, including some pigs and

chickens. The liquid fell on the animal feed. The chickens eat maize. The pig

eats guineo and chileno, but these plants were contaminated. I had a hectare of

plants, to feed the animals, but all the plants were ruined, I no longer had any feed

for the animals. The plants were finished and the animals were finished. Sixth: I

had to move, to replant in a new place. But this second planting was affected by

the second spraying. It was the same thing. After the third spraying, I moved

farther inland and planted again. Now, my crops are growing better. With God’s

help, now I have two hectares, growing food for my children and pigs.- What I

have declared, I have done so in honor of the truth and in accordance with the

express legal provisions.- The deponent so states it in his declaration, executes it,

ratifies it and signs it with me, the Notary Public, in a single act, all to which I

attest.

 ANNEX 214


[Notary Seal]

[signature] [Noeary]
MR. [REDACTED]

C.C. NO. [REDACTED]

] l a e S y r a t o N [

ANNEX 214ANNEX 214ANNEX 214ANNEX 214 ANNEX 215

Declaration of Witness 31, 27 Feb. 2009 ANNEX 215

[seal]

1 DECLARATION

2 GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

3 ON BEHALF OF: HIMSELF

4 QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

5

6 I GAVE TWO COPIES

7 M/C

8

9

10 In the city of Nueva Loja, provincial capital of Sucumbíos, Republic of Ecuador,

11 on this twenty-seventh day of February of the year two thousand and nine, before

12 me, DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO, Acting Notary

13 Public of the First Notary Public’s Office of Lago Agrio Cantoappeared

14 Mr. [REDACTED], Ecuadorian, a farmer, single, domiciled in the city of Nueva

15 Loja, of legal age, without any legal impediment to declare, to ask me to convert

16 his declaration into a public instrument, the same as fMR. NOTARY

17 PUBLIC: Please include in the Registry of Public Instruments under your

18 custody a declaration, contained in the following claFIRST: PARTY

19 HERETO.- For the execution of this public instrument, appears Mr.

20 [REDACTED], of Ecuadorian nationality, bearer of citizenship card number

21 [REDACTED], of lawful age, domiciled in the city of Nueva Loja, legally able toANNEX 215

[seal]

1 enter into and be bound by contracts, on his own right; SECOND:

2 DECLARATION.- Freely, voluntarily, and under oath, the deponent declares

3 the following: My name is [REDACTED], I am Ecuadorian, I belong to the

4 Cofán ethnic group and I am the shaman or “curaga” of my community. I am

5 the holder of citizenship card number [REDACTED]. I was born on

6 [REDACTED]. I have four children, two boys and two girls, my wife and

7 children live with me. On the border with Colombia, there is an area in which

8 there are four Cofán communities: Alto Bermejo, Chandia Na’en, Avie and Sukie

9 Kankhe, the latter one is my community and is the one closest to the San Miguel

10 River. We, the Cofán, that live by the San Miguel River are called Samingue and

11 those who live near the south areAguarico a’i. There are two houses in my

12 community and nine of us live there. The nearest village to our community, on

13 the Ecuadorian side, is the Barranca-Bermeja community, to get there we have to

14 travel two hours by canoe. There is another way out toward a small village on the

15 Colombian side called San José; to get there, we have to walk for an hour and a

16 half. The school that is in San José is the closest one. I was born inSukie

17 Kankhe, in the Ecuadorian jungle on the banks of the San Miguel River and I

18 have lived here all my life, as have the other members of my community. We

19 have been here for generations and generations, from my great-great-grandfather

20 and even earlier. Our dead are also in this place, in the cemetery in the

21 community. In the community, we also have our sacred places, the house where ANNEX 215

[seal]

1 the ceremonies take place, which in Cofán is called yaje tsa’o, and the sown field

2 of the sacred plant. Only thecuragas can pass through these places. The yaje

3 tsa’o is about five hundred meters from the San Miguel River, it takes about five

4 minutes to walk to the river by foot. The first time that I saw the sprayings I was

5 in my house, from there one can see the river, it is very close. At first we heard a

6 noise, as if something was coming, my brothers and I did not recognize it because

7 we had not heard it before and it scared us very much. Afterward, we saw that

8 they were two planes with a white smoke under them, and above the two planes,

9 two helicopters. The planes crossed the river and flew over our community

10 releasing that white smoke. They flew over my house, I saw them. The smell

11 from the smoke was unbearable, that was also unknown to us, but what I can say

12 is that it was very unpleasant. They sprayed my community like three times.

13 That smoke from the planes fell on my house and also on my body; at that

14 moment, I felt as if my skin was going numb, I felt my throat become dry and I

15 got a cough. The effect was immediate and it happened to most of my family.

16 My wife and children were also in the community when it happened, the smoke

17 also fell on their bodies and later they had some terrible bumps, even on their

18 heads, but mostly on the thorax. Everyone developed the bumps, but they

19 affected the children the most. The problem with the bumps was not just the

20 result of what fell on our bodies, but also of what was left contaminated. For

21 example, we wash our clothing in the river and later we hang it to dry in the sun,ANNEX 215

[seal]

1 which leaves it exposed. It was there when the smoke also fell on the clothes and

2 that continued to affect our skin. That lasted for about two weeks, first we had

3 small bumps and then a week later they burst. The bumps itched a lot. We always

4 cured ourselves with our traditional medicine, with plants that heal and that we

5 know so well. That is why, so that the bumps would go away, we started to bathe

6 with thumbusichu (name in Cofán), we cooked the plant in a pot and bathed with

7 that water. With this, we felt some relief, these plants were less affected because

8 they are smaller and are covered by the other larger plants, which is why we can

9 still use them, but they were still affected. In addition, the children developed

10 stomachaches, vomiting and diarrhea. That started about two days after the

11 sprayings and lasted for two days; the children could not eat or drink anything.

12 The sprayings also affected the plants. In the community, we had planted maize,

13 yucca, plantain, and papaya. The planes with their smoke destroyed everything,

14 the crops, the woodland, the jungle. The effects on the plants were noticed after

15 two days when they starting changing color, and three days later they looked dry.

16 After a few days of spraying, with the wind and the rain, the leaves in the virgin

17 jungle started to fall off and one could see the change, because before everything

18 was green, and after the sprayings one could see the leaves falling off and the dry

19 branches. For the Cofán, nature is very important, she provides us with

20 everything that we need to live, plants such as yoko and yaje. If nature gets sick,

21 we also get sick; our life depends on nature. That is why, we, the Cofán, respect ANNEX 215

[seal]

1 nature, we do not think of destroying it, because looking after nature is looking

2 after ourselves. But the sprayings came without us being able to avoid them, it

3 was something that we were not familiar with and against which we could not

4 defend ourselves; they affected the jungle and with it our lives and our traditions.

5 We, the curagas or shamans, have sacred rituals such as the ayahuasca, which we

6 perform with plants that we used to find in our community; but after the

7 sprayings, the plants that are near our community and the river are now useless.

8 Now, I must walk two kilometers and more into the interior of the jungle to look

9 for the plants that were not affected. Before, all the communities had sown fields

10 of medicinal plants and they were near the house, even the plants that could not

11 be sown were near and we knew where to find them. Now, people have to walk

12 up to five hours to get them, in order to be able to practice the rituals and

13 traditional medicine. The withering and dryness, caused by the sprayings, have

14 seriously affected our traditions and the balance of our community. Thyaje is

15 our sacred plant, it is a hallucinogenic plant that we, tshamans, use to see

16 spiritual and ancestral wisdom. Because of the yaje, we, the shamans, know

17 many ways to heal and we can protect the community. Near my house, I used to

18 have a hectare sown with yaje and that was also destroyed a few days after the

19 first spraying. After the sprayings, we would prepare it [the yaje] it but it did not

20 work, the yaje was dry, the plant seemed dead, and when I would drink it, the

21 visions would not come to me, only complete darkness came. The animals wereANNEX 215

[seal]

1 also affected. After the sprayings, we saw dead animals. When the birds ate the

2 fruits contaminated by the sprayings, such as the plantain, they would get sick.

3 The chickens that I had would vomit everything they ate, shake and then die, now

4 I do not have many chickens. We also saw many of the jungle birds become stiff

5 and fall dead to the ground, we saw this about four days after the spraying. Once,

6 after the spraying, we hunted a guanta and we could see that its hair had fallen

7 off. Before, we used to go fishing, but now we hardly fish, because there are now

8 almost no fish in the river, as if something came and destroyed them. After the

9 sprayings, the earth no longer produced as it used to; it was left sick. I have

10 planted again and now that some time has passed in which the planes have not

11 sprayed, the crops are starting to produce. THIRD: QUANTITY.- The quantity

12 of this public instrument, due to its nature, is undetermined.- Mr. Notary Public,

13 please add the customary clauses for the full validity of this public instrument.-

14 Signed by Doctor Iñigo Salvador Crespo, Bar Association Number two thousand

15 nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar Association of Pichincha.- This declaration has

16 been converted into a public instrument with all its legal value.- All essential

17 legal requirements were observed for the execution of this instrument, and once

18 read by me, the Notary Public, to the party hereto, he ratifies the entire content of

19 this instrument and, not knowing how to sign, he has hereunto set the print of his

20 right thumb and delegated Mr. [REDACTED] to sign, as witness on behalf of the

21 deponent, with me, the Notary Public, to which I attest.- ANNEX 215

[seal]

1 [fingerprint]

2 [REDACTED]

3 CC [REDACTED]

4

5 [signature]

6 [REDACTED]

7 CC [REDACTED]

8 [signature]

9 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDO

10 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

11 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

12 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

13

14 This document corresponds to its original; in Witness Whereof, I have hereunto

15 signed and sealed this SECOND COPY, which I issue in the city of Nueva Loja,

16 on the same day it was executed. I hereby attest.-

17

18

19

20 [signature]

21 DOCTOR JOSÉ MARÍA BARRAZUETA TOLEDOANNEX 215

[seal]

1 ACTING NOTARY PUBLIC OF

2 THE FIRST NOTARY PUBLIC’S OFFICE

3 OF LAGO AGRIO CANTON

4

5 [seal]

6

7

8

9

10ANNEX 215ANNEX 215ANNEX 215ANNEX 215ANNEX 215ANNEX 215ANNEX 215ANNEX 215 ANNEX 216

Declaration of Witness 32, 19 Feb. 2009 ANNEX 216


NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF ESMERALDAS

Notary Seal

DECLARATION

GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

NUMBER: 486

In the city of Esmeraldas, in the Canton and Province with same name, Republic
of Ecuador, on the nineteenth day of February of the year two thousand and nine,

before me, ATTORNEY ALFREDO RIVERA DROUET, FIFTH NOTARY

PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF ESMERALDAS, appeared [REDACTED],

Ecuadorian, bearer of identity card number [REDACTED], of legal age, legally

able to enter into and be bound by contracts. Having presented his personal

documents to me, as required by law in these cases, I hereby certify that he is

personally known to me. He has come freely and voluntarily, without any type of

coercion and in full use of his intellectual faculties, as so expressed by him, to ask

that I take his declaration. For that purpose, being duly sworn according to the
law, after being informed of the seriousness of the oath, of the penalties for

perjury and of his obligation to tell the truth, he states the following: I,

[REDACTED], informed of the obligation that I have to tell the truth clearly and

accurately in accordance with the existing laws, and of the penalties for the crime

of perjury, freely and voluntarily declare that: First: Myasi

[REDACTED], and I was born on [REDACTED]. I came to live in Mataje when

I was thirteen years old. Before, we used to live in the other precinct but my

parents moved so we could go to school. I live near the Mataje River. My house

is about thirty meters from the river; my farm is a little further inland, about five-

ANNEX 216


city blocks away. I remember that they sprayed in three occasions. The first time

was in 2000; the second was a few years later; and, the third I think it was in

2004. The second spraying is the one that affected me most. I was returning

home from work in a canoe on the Mataje River. From the canoe, I saw the

planes coming from Colombia, they were flying over my head, following the

river and then going back to the interior of Colombia, they would circle and

return again. The planes were releasing a whitish mist and, since I was in the

canoe and the planes were flying near me, that mist fell on my body. It felt like a

greasy moisture, like a light oil. I got home in the canoe and there I bathed with
water from the river because it was the only source of water we had, and I had to

get the grease off me. That smoke also fell on my wife’s and children’s bodies

while they were washing clothes in the river, and they also bathed with the water

from the river to get the grease off. Second: The following day I went to get

shrimp because I saw that they were dying on the banks of the river. When I

arrived at the river, the shrimp were dying on dry land. I took advantage of it and

got them to give dinner to my family. About three hours after dinner, everyone in

the house was sick with stomachache, vomiting and diarrhea. The following day

we were still sick and, we also woke up with bumps on our bodies, so we went to
see the nurse. When we arrived at the Health sub centre, there were a lot of

people who had the same thing that we had. The nurse gave us medicines that

helped a little but we were sick for two more weeks. Everyone in the community

was sick with the same thing, but none of us were able to find a remedy for it. To

this day, I still have the marks on my back, where most of the liquid fell and

where most of the bumps appeared. Third: Aside from the shrimp, other animals

were also affected. The ones that suffered the most were the pigs. After the

sprayings, they got sick, they seemed sad and they would not eat anything, they

got thin and, in the end, some of them starved to death. They had nothing to eat
because the plants that they used to eat were also ruined. My dog, named Laisa,

 

got sick. She was vomiting and would not eat, and fifteen days later she died.

Fourth: I had planted guineo, plantain, orito, and yucca. All my crops were

ruined, they turned yellow and little by little they dried up, after the spraying.

First, the leaves were affected; they would wither and dry up until they fell off the

plant. The plant also dried up until it finally died. After everything had dried up,

we tried planting again, but the plants did not produce, they grew a little, to a very

small height, and instead of growing more they would die without producing. I

have always lived off farming but after the sprayings, I could no longer do it, that

is why I was forced to move to the new town of Mataje in search for a job and
opportunities to survive, just like many other families in town. The new town

was established after the sprayings, it was formed for and by families that wanted

to flee from the banks of the river, the planes, the poison being dropped, and from

all the deaths that this has caused. Now there are nineteen houses in the new

town, all of them full of people who came, trying to escape from the sprayings.-

What I have declared, I have done so in honor of the truth and in accordance with

the express legal provisions.- The deponent so states it in his declaration,

executes it, ratifies it and signs it with me, the Notary Public, in a single act, all to

attestI.hich
l a e S y r a t o N

] e r u t a n g i s [

[REDA MCRT.ED]NS oarly

C.C. NO. [REDACTED]
Notary Seal

ANNEX 216ANNEX 216ANNEX 216ANNEX 216 ANNEX 217

Declaration of Witness 33, 19 Feb. 2009 ANNEX 217


NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF ESMERALDAS

[Notary Seal]

DECLARATION

GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

NUMBER: 482

In the city of Esmeraldas, in the Canton and Province with same name, Republic

of Ecuador, on the nineteenth day of February of the year two thousand and nine,

before me, ATTORNEY ALFREDO RIVERA DROUET, FIFTH NOTARY

PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF ESMERALDAS, appeared [REDACTED],

Ecuadorian, bearer of identity card number [REDACTED], of legal age, legally

able to enter into and be bound by contracts. Having presented his personal

documents to me, as required by law in these cases, I hereby certify that he is

personally known to me. He has come freely and voluntarily, without any type of

coercion and in full use of his intellectual faculties, as so expressed by him, to ask

that I take his declaration. For that purpose, being duly sworn according to the

law, after being informed of the seriousness of the oath, of the penalties for

perjury and of his obligation to tell the truth, he states the following: I,

[REDACTED], informed of the obligation that I have to tell the truth clearly and

accurately in accordance with the existing laws, and of the penalties for the crime

of perjury, freely and voluntarily declare that: First: Myasi

ANNEX 217


[REDACTED]. I was born on [REDACTED]. I have lived all my life in Mataje,

Esmeraldas Province, in a house that is about a kilometer from the Mataje River,

which borders Colombia. I work as a farmer, using my machete to clear the

pastures; I am also a student, in the first year of high school. Second: I

remember that the first time that the planes came by spraying from Colombia was

in the year two thousand. I was working in the field, which is right next to the

river. I saw some white planes, escorted by some helicopters, spraying along the

border. I saw them releasing something that looked like a cloud, but when it fell

on the grass it was shiny, oily and it stayed on the plants. I was wearing a short-

sleeve shirt and the chemical fell on me. Because of this I went immediately to

bathe in the stream to get it off me. Nevertheless, about three days after the

spraying, I had bumps all over my body. They itched a lot. The bumps lasted for

about two months. I also had vomiting and diarrhea, which lasted for about five

days. I went to see the nurse who prepared a paste to cure me. Many in the

community were affected. A lot of the children had diarrhea and vomiting,

including the children in my family. The adults were also sick but the children

were affected more. Third: In our community, we use the river and its

tributaries to wash, bathe, cook and fish. During the first spraying period, we

would drink water from the river because we had no drinking water. Now we

have drinking water, as of about four years ago. Fourth: On the farm, where I

live with my father, mother and siblings, we used to grow plantain, yucca and

 ANNEX 217


cacao. We also had lemon and guava plants. Shortly after the spraying, the

pasture grass died. There were no plants left on our farm, everything was dead

and dry as a desert. About a week after the spraying, the plantain, yucca and

cacao had rotted. The lemon and guava fruits fell to ground and rotted. Fifth:

The animals that we had on the farm, the chickens and dogs, either died or

became sick and thin. I also noticed that on the same day that they sprayed over

us, the shrimp and fish died, and they were dying in the river. I had never seen

anything like it before. Sixth: The entire community lost their crops; my family

and I went to work near Orellana in order to buy food. There were two other

times that they came by to spray and the same effects occurred. I hope they do not

return again.- What I have declared, I have done so in honor of the truth and in

accordance with the express legal provisions.- The deponent so states it in his

declaration, executes it, ratifies it and signs it with me, the Notary Public, in a

single act, all to which I attest.

[Notary Seal]

[signature] [Noealy

MR. [REDACTED]

C.C. NO. [REDACTED]

[Notary Seal]

ANNEX 217ANNEX 217ANNEX 217ANNEX 217 ANNEX 218

Declaration of Witness 34, 19 Feb. 2009 ANNEX 218


NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF ESMERALDAS

[Notary Seal]

DECLARATION

GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

NUMBER: 483

In the city of Esmeraldas, in the Canton and Province with same name, Republic

of Ecuador, on the nineteenth day of February of the year two thousand and nine,

before me, ATTORNEY ALFREDO RIVERA DROUET, FIFTH NOTARY

PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF ESMERALDAS, appeared [REDACTED],

Ecuadorian, bearer of identity card number [REDACTED], of legal age, legally

able to enter into and be bound by contracts. Having presented his personal

documents to me, as required by law in these cases, I hereby certify that he is

personally known to me. He has come freely and voluntarily, without any type of

coercion and in full use of his intellectual faculties, as so expressed by him, to ask

that I take his declaration. For that purpose, being duly sworn according to the

law, after being informed of the seriousness of the oath, of the penalties for

perjury and of his obligation to tell the truth, he states the following: I,

[REDACTED], informed of the obligation that I have to tell the truth clearly and

accurately in accordance with the existing laws, and of the penalties for the crime

of perjury, freely and voluntarily declare that: First: Maesi

ANNEX 218


[REDACTED]. I was born on [REDACTED], in Mataje, Esmeraldas Province. I

was raised in Mataje and worked in the pastures around the community once I

was old enough to do it. At present, I live in Esmeraldas, but I was in Mataje

when the first spraying occurred in the year 2000. During that time, I was living

in a house, in Mataje, right on the banks of the Mataje River, like the majority of

the houses in the community. You could see the river from the house, it was

only a few meters away. Second: When the first spraying occurred, I was

working in the field, cleaning the land with a machete and removing the weeds in

order to plant. I saw several planes above. They were coming from Colombia

and they turned around over the territory and returned to Colombia. They came

and went several times. They made a noise and dropped a liquid. In the air it

looked like a white dust. With the wind, it moved through the air and descended

to the ground. When it fell on the plants, I noticed that it looked like oil on top of

them. The liquid also fell on me, on my head, arms, and all over my body.

Immediately, I felt my skin itch intensely. My whole body was itching. Above

all, my face became very swollen and felt warm with the itching. It disfigured me

so much that when the reporters from Telemar came to Mataje to investigate the

sprayings, I did not want them to interview me because my face looked terrible.

I also got bumps all over my skin. I had a rash that burned and my skin peeled

quite a bit. Moreover, I had a terrible fever, an intense headache and I did not

want to eat anything. I was very sick for about fifteen days. I went to see the

 ANNEX 218


nurse in the community for treatment because I could not stand the itching. She

gave me a paste, which I had to apply every day, and, gradually, I started to heal.

Third: After the spraying, there were a lot of dead fish and shrimp. Usually, the

fish and shrimp are below the water level. But, after the sprayings, they were

floating on the surface of the river and going downstream with the current. I

observed this immediately after the sprayings. We could not use fish or shrimp to

eat because they were infected. In addition to the fish and shrimp, other animals

also died. At home, we had chickens that began to die, little by little. I would go

looking for the chickens and I would find them dead everywhere, one near the

river, another one in the bush. In the end, most of the chickens died. Fourth:

After the spraying, the plants also died. At the house where I was living, there

were a lot of plants for consumption: coconut, plantain, cacao, lemon and other

fruit plants. A few days after the spraying, we could see that the plants were

dying. The fruits looked burned, black. The lemon turned black. The same thing

happened to the plantain, it was black both outside and inside. The same

happened to the cacao. We could not eat these fruits. The leaves were black,

withered and falling off. The stems of several plants started to rot and, in the end,

they all died. Fifth: My family lived off agriculture. We used to eat plantains

and cacao and also sell them in the market. After the sprayings, we could no

longer sell the crops because they were ruined. With no crops to sell, we had to

find other jobs to support ourselves.- What I have declared, I have done so in

 ANNEX 218


honor of the truth and in accordance with the express legal provisions.- The

deponent so states it in his declaration, executes it, ratifies it and signs it with me,

the Notary Public, in a single act, all to which I attest.

] l a e S y r a t o N [

] e r u t a n g i s [

] l a e S y r a t o N [
MR. [REDACTED]

C.C. NO. [REDACTED]

[Notary Seal]

ANNEX 218ANNEX 218ANNEX 218ANNEX 218 ANNEX 219

Declaration of Witness 36, 19 Feb. 2009 ANNEX 219

NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF ESMERALDAS

[Notary Seal]

DECLARATION

GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

NUMBER: 485

In the city of Esmeraldas, in the Canton and Province of same name, Republic of

Ecuador, on the nineteenth day of the month of February of the year two thousand

and nine, before me, ATTORNEY ALFREDO RIVERA DROUET, FIFTH

NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF ESMERALDAS, appeared

[REDACTED], Ecuadorian, bearer of identity card number [REDACTED], of

legal age, legally able to enter into and be bound by contracts. Having presented

her personal documents to me, as required by law in these cases, I hereby certify

that she is personally known to me. She has come freely and voluntarily, without

any type of coercion and in full use of her intellectual faculties, as so expressed

by her, to ask that I take her declaration. For that purpose, being duly sworn

according to the law, after being informed of the seriousness of the oath, of the

penalties for perjury and of her obligation to tell the truth, she states the

following: I, [REDACTED], informed of the obligation that I have to tell the

truth clearly and accurately in accordance with the existing laws, and of theANNEX 219

penalties for the crime of perjury, freely and voluntarily declare thatFirst: My

name is [REDACTED], born on [REDACTED], in the town of Mataje. I was

raised there and I lived in that place until a year ago. A year ago, I moved to the

new town of Mataje, near the original town, but farther from the river. I am a

homemaker and I have four children. Until last year, I lived on the banks of the

Mataje River. My house was just a few steps from the river. The first time that I

saw the sprayings was in the year 2000. I was cleaning the land in my farm,

accompanied by my younger son. I saw planes and helicopters flying over the

river. From the planes, a white rain was coming out. That rain fell on top of me

and also on top of my son; it looked like grease on the skin. At that moment, I

had a bucket of water with me, which was not covered, and that liquid also fell in

there. As I returned home, I drank that water from the bucket. When I reached

home, I bathed with water from a small stream, and with that I washed off the

grease that was on my skin. But, on the following day, I woke up sick, with a

stomachache, vomiting, diarrhea, and itchiness on my body. They took me to see

the nurse, and there were so many people sick with vomiting and headaches that

there was nowhere to sit. I was very sick and they made me lie down, I stayed

two days with the nurse, before losing consciousness. I was so sick that they had

to take me to the hospital in Esmeraldas where I was admitted for six days. I

almost died. They were thinking of taking me to the hospital in Quito, but a

doctor came to the Esmeraldas Hospital, bringing new medicines that cured me. ANNEX 219

The entire treatment cost me three hundred and thirty dollars. Since I did not

have that amount of money to pay, I had to borrow from my friends and family.

Second: While I was at the sub-clinic and at the hospital, my children also

became sick. My oldest daughter had to take care of them. My younger son,

Luis, and my other son, Segundo, became sick a few days after the spraying.

They had a stomachache, vomiting and a strange skin irritation. My younger son

developed bumps on his face, one could not even touch it, his skin was very

swollen and irritated. In those days it was as if there was a plague that attacked

all the children. All the children in the community were sick with the same thing.

We were really scared of what could happen to our children, we did not know

what was happening to them and there was nothing that we could do. Third:

When I returned home, I saw that all the plantain had died. On my farm, I had

plantain, chocolate and yucca. Very few chocolate plants survived the spraying.

The leaves of the plants were withered. The plantain was stained with spots.

Everything was burned as if someone had put a bomb there. The leaves of the

yucca plant were drying up and falling off, The stem of the plant was drying and

dying, the yucca itself came out rotten. It was no longer valuable, it could not be

eaten. The money for my family comes from selling the yucca and chocolate in

San Lorenzo. But we no longer had anything to sell or to eat, and, in addition, we

had the hospital debt. Fourth: Although my family stopped eating the damaged

yucca, they did not have money to buy food for my animals. They kept ANNEX 219

harvesting the damaged yucca to feed my chickens, which died a week later.-

What I have declared, I have done so in honor of the truth and in accordance with

the specific legal provisions.- The deponent so states it in her declaration,

executes it, ratifies it and signs it with me, the Notary Public, in a single act, all to

which I attest.

[signature]

[Notary Seal]

] e r u t a n g i s [

MRS. [REDACTED]

C.C. NO. [REDACTED] [Notary Seal]

[Notary Seal]ANNEX 219ANNEX 219ANNEX 219ANNEX 219 ANNEX 220

Declaration of Witness 37, 19 Feb. 2009 ANNEX 220

NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF ESMERALDAS

DECLARATION

[Notary Seal]

GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

NUMBER: 481

In the city of Esmeraldas, in the Canton and Province of same name, Republic of

Ecuador, on the nineteenth day of the month of February of the year two thousand

and nine, before me, ATTORNEY ALFREDO RIVERA DROUET, FIFTH

NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF ESMERALDAS, appeared

[REDACTED], Ecuadorian, bearer of identity card number [REDACTED], of

legal age, legally able to enter into and be bound by contracts. Having presented

his personal documents to me, as required by law in these cases, I hereby certify

that he is personally known to me. He has come freely and voluntarily, without

any type of coercion and in full use of his intellectual faculties, as so expressed by

him, to ask that I take his declaration. For that purpose, being duly sworn

according to the law, after being explained of the seriousness of the oath, of the

penalties for perjury and of his obligation to tell the truth, he states the following:ANNEX 220

I, [REDACTED], informed of the obligation that I have to tell the truth clearly

and accurately in accordance with the existing laws, and of the penalties for the

crime of perjury, freely and voluntarily declare that: First: M ynmes

[REDACTED]. I was born on [REDACTED]. I have lived all my life in Mataje,

a community that has twenty-five houses in the original town, and now about

seventeen houses more inland, in the new town. Now, I live with my wife and

children in a house that is on top of a hill, about twenty meters from the Mataje

river, which borders Colombia. Second: I can remember three times that they

came to spray. The first time was in the year two thousand. I was working on my

farm, at the edge of the river. I saw several planes and some helicopters coming

from the Colombian side, dropping a liquid. The liquid looked like smoke and it

fell on the ground and on my body, it looked shiny. That day, I was wearing a

short-sleeve shirt. When it fell on my skin, I felt a very strong itch. I also felt it

in my eyes and it affected my sight, which to this day has not recovered. At that

moment of the spraying, I stopped working and threw myself into the river, but I

think the river was already contaminated with the mist that fell. I know because

the shrimp and fish started to die immediately. Two days after the sprayings, I

developed bumps on my arms and face. This had never happened to me before, it

was something very odd. Other people also suffered from bumps. Everyone in

my family got sick and we went to see the nurse for treatment. She treated us

with the little medicine that she had. Third: On my farm, I have pigs, turkeys ANNEX 220

and chickens. Little by little, after the sprayings, they became thin and then died.

I think they died because they were eating dead bugs found dead on the hill after

the spraying. Fourth: On my farm, more or less one cultivated hectare, I have

planted cacao, yucca, plantains, and sugarcane, all of which have dried up. A few

days after the sprayings, I noticed the effect on the leaves. They started to

wrinkle and then turned yellow. Several weeks later, the plants died. The

plantain plant and its fruit dried up, and we could not eat it because it had been

ruined. The cacao dried up, including the leaves, and the tree died. Moreover, the

yucca also rotted, even though the crop is below the ground; it turned black and

the plant above the ground dried up. The land remained affected for several

months, there was nothing there. For some years, we hardly planted anything

because the land would not produce. Fortunately, now the land is recovering

little by little. Fifth: After the second and third fumigation, precisely the same

effects occurred. People were very worried. It is hard [for the campesinos] to

invest all this work only to lose their crops. We were living off of the agriculture,

but because of the spraying, we could no longer feed our families with the crops.

We also no longer had anything to sell after the sprayings. There was a lot of

suffering in the community. There was nowhere to go; we did not have the

means to move to the city.- What I have declared, I have done so in honor of the

truth and in accordance with the specific legal provisions.- The declarant soANNEX 220

states it in his declaration, executes it, ratifies it and signs it with me, the Notary

Public, in a single act, all to which I attest.

[signature]

[Notary Stamp]

[Notary Seal]

[signature]

MR. [REDACTED]

C.C. NO. [REDACTED] [Notary Seal]ANNEX 220ANNEX 220 ANNEX 221

Declaration of Witness 38, 19 Feb. 2009 ANNEX 221

[Notary Seal]

NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF ESMERALDAS

DECLARATION

GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

NUMBER: 487

In the city of Esmeraldas, in the Canton and Province of same name, Republic of

Ecuador, on the nineteenth day of the month of February of the year two thousand

and nine, before me, ATTORNEY ALFREDO RIVERA DROUET, FIFTH

NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF ESMERALDAS, appeared

[REDACTED] Ecuadorian, from this area, bearer of identity card number

[REDACTED], of legal age, legally able to enter into and be bound by contracts.

Having presented his personal documents to me, as required by law in these

cases, I hereby certify that he is personally known to me. He has come freely and

voluntarily, without any type of coercion and in full use of his intellectual

faculties, as so expressed by him, to ask that I take his declaration. For that

purpose, being duly sworn according to the law, after being explained of theANNEX 221

seriousness of the oath, of the penalties for perjury and of his obligation to tell the

truth, he states the following: I, [REDACTED], informed of the obligation that I

have to tell the truth clearly and accurately in accordance with the existing laws,

and of the penalties for the crime of perjury, freely and voluntarily declare that:

First: My name is [REDACTED], born on [REDACTED]. I came to Mataje

when I was 22 years old. I am a farmer and until last year my house was located

on the banks of the Mataje River. I remember seeing sprayings on three

occasions. The first time that I saw the sprayings was in the year 2000, I was

working on my farm, which is farther inland from the river. I saw several planes

escorted by a helicopter. The planes were releasing a white smoke that, with the

wind, was dispersed in the air. When I saw the planes, I hid by a tree so that the

liquid would not fall on me too much, but it still fell on me. It looked shiny on

my arms, like lard, and it had a strange odor. I returned home and, on the way

there, I drank water from the stream. After drinking the water, my lips became

dry and numb. When I got home, I bathed in the river to wash off from my skin

what had fallen on me. Shortly thereafter, I had bumps on my skin; they heal

with medicine but I still get them to this day. I had never suffered from this

before, and now, I cannot get rid of it. Second: A few days after the sprayings,

the plants were also affected; the leaves would turn red, become dry and fall off.

The trees were left bare, without leaves. Everything had a scorched appearance.

On my farm, I had planted yucca, sugar cane, cacao, and plantain. All my crops dried up completely; they were dead, but completely dead. The land, the forest

had become pampas, everything burned. There was nothing to eat in the

community, the bunches that were green dried up. We had to buy plantains in

San Lorenzo in order to have something to eat. After the sprayings, we did not

re-plant this land for a long time.Third: With the second spraying, the same

consequences reappeared. I saw the planes flying in Colombia, following the

edge of the river. The fumes fell on the river. A couple days later, dead fish and

shrimp appeared. They were leaning against the edge of the river as if escaping

from the water, and dying there. I had never seen anything like it before. The

sprayings have caused us a lot of damage. I left old Mataje, fleeing from all of

this, now I live near there but farther inland, in the new village of Mataje. I had

no choice; things in Mataje were very difficult after the sprayings, we could no

longer live there.- What I have declared, I have done so in honor of the truth and

in accordance with the specific legal provisions.- The declarant so states it in his

declaration, executes it, ratifies it and signs it with me, the Notary Public, in a

single act, all to which I attest.

] e r u t a n g i s [

] p m a t S y r a t o N [

] e r u t a n g i s [
[MERD.ACTED] [NS otaly
C.C. No. [REDACTED]
[Notary Seal]ANNEX 221ANNEX 221ANNEX 221ANNEX 221 ANNEX 222

Declaration of Witness 39, 19 Feb. 2009 ANNEX 222


NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF ESMERALDAS

[Notary Seal]

DECLARATION

GIVEN BY: [REDACTED]

NUMBER: 484

In the city of Esmeraldas, in the Canton and Province with same name, Republic

of Ecuador, on the nineteenth day of February of the year two thousand and nine,

before me, ATTORNEY ALFREDO RIVERA DROUET, FIFTH NOTARY

PUBLIC OF THE CANTON OF ESMERALDAS, appeared [REDACTED],

Ecuadorian, from this area, bearer of identity card number [REDACTED], of

legal age, legally able to enter into and be bound by contracts. Having presented

her personal documents to me, as required by law in these cases, I hereby certify

that she is personally known to me. She has come freely and voluntarily, without

any type of coercion and in full use of her intellectual faculties, as so expressed

by her, to ask that I take her declaration. For that purpose, being duly sworn

according to the law, after being informed of the seriousness of the oath, of the

penalties for perjury and of her obligation to tell the truth, she states the

following: I, [REDACTED], informed of the obligation that I have to tell the

truth clearly and accurately in accordance with the existing laws, and of the

penalties for the crime of perjury, freely and voluntarily declare tFirst: My

ANNEX 222


name is [REDACTED]. I was born on [REDACTED], in Mataje. I have spent

my whole life in this community. I have five children and I am a homemaker.

My house is next to the Mataje River. The whole town is located near the river.

Second: I have experienced the sprayings several times. I remember three

occasions when I saw the planes spraying. The first spraying that I remember

was in the year 2000, and that was the one that affected me the most. I was in the

river with my children; at that time, I only had four children. During that period,

we used the water from the river for everything. The river and its streams were

our main source of water. On that day, I was washing clothes in the river. I

heard the planes and then I saw them; I remember seeing three planes. Then I

saw helicopters that were flying higher. The planes were flying over the river and

dropping a whitish-gray liquid. There was a lot of wind and the wind brought the

liquid toward us. That liquid fell on my body. It also fell on the plants. The

liquid was sort of oily and when it fell on the leaves, they became shiny. Third:

The poison that fell over us caused our body and eyes to itch. A few days later,

my children had bumps on their bodies that itched a lot. I went to see the nurse

so she could cure us and I was not the only one there, since there were a lot of

people who had gotten sick after the sprayings. For that reason we had to call a

doctor from San Lorenzo, because there were too many of us for the nurse to

treat. My children were told to bathe with chamomile water to soothe the bumps,

but they would disappear and later reappear. Fourth: After the sprayings, there

 ANNEX 222


were a lot of dead fish in the river. My son Gabriel told me that he had seen a lot

of minchillas, which are a type of shrimp, dead in the river. We wanted to get the

fish and take them home to prepare them and eat them. We have always eaten

fish from the river, they are part of our diet. But the nurse told us not to do it

because they could make us sick. If there were so many dead fish, there had to be

something wrong, and that could make us sick. The chickens were also affected,

and every now and then they would fall dead on the ground. Fifth: Ihad

coconut plants at my house. After the sprayings, the plants began to dry up little

by little, they became discolored, they seemed burned and, in the end, we had to

cut them because they were all dead. The other plants that were near the house

started to lose their leaves and dry up, they also broke, and then died. This

happened to the entire community. Afterward, we did not re-plant because we

were afraid that the same thing would happen again with another spraying.

Sixth: After the sprayings and their effects on the community, we started to

worry that it was no longer healthy or safe to consume water from the river and

its streams as we had always done before. Some people left the town because one

could no longer live there. We could not plant, and we had to look for another

place where we could be and plant peacefully without being afraid that the planes

might return and ruin our crops. Several families moved from old Mataje to the

new town, which is nearby but farther into the interior.- What I have declared, I

have done so in honor of the truth and in accordance with the express legal

 ANNEX 222


provisions.- The deponent so states it in her declaration, executes it, ratifies it

and signs it with me, the Notary Public, in a single act, all to which I attest.

[Notary Seal]

[signature]
MRS. [REDACTED]

C.C. NO. [REDACTED]
] l a e S y r a t o N [

[Notary Seal]

ANNEX 222ANNEX 222ANNEX 222ANNEX 222 ANNEX 223

Declaration of Witness 40, 20 Feb. 2009 ANNEX 223

DECLARATION

GIVEN BY:

[REDACTED]

QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

(ONE COPY) GIVEN

PUBLIC INSTRUMENT NO. 549

[Notary Seal]

In the city of Otavalo, on this day, Friday, the twentieth of February of two

thousand and nine, before me, ATTORNEY JOSE FABIAN SIMBAÑA

AYABACA, FIRST NOTARY OF THE CANTON OF OTAVALO, appeared

Mr. [REDACTED], of Ecuadorian nationality, of legal age, single, capable, of

Profession Farmer, domiciled in the city of Ibarra, in transit through the city of

Otavalo, legally competent and on his own right, personally known to me, to

which I attest, to ask me to convert into a public instrument the declaration, which

has been faithfully copied and is as folMR. NOTARY PUBLIC .- Please

include in the Registry of Public Instruments under your custody an declaration,

containing the following clauseFIRST: My name is [REDACTED] of Awá

ethnicity. Our language is theAwá Pit . The territory in which we live is

ancestral territory. I was born in the Mataje Alto Awá Community. I was raised

there and, from 2002 to two thousand and seven, I worked as a health promoter inANNEX 223

my community and in five other Awá communities in the area. My job as health

promoter consisted of visiting the communities, meeting with people, giving

health lectures and organizing, with the San Lorenzo Hospital, the medical teams

for the vaccination and medical care rounds. The other Awá communities where I

used to work were: Guadualito, Balsareño, Pambilar, Río Bogotá y la Unión,

located in the province of Esmeraldas. I now live in Ibarra, as of a year ago, since

I am the director for the Federation of Awá Centres of Ecuador. I handle the

health issues for the all the Awá communities.- Second: Nature is very important

in our culture. For us, the earth is a mother that gives us life, for this reason we

call it mother earth. We respect it like a mother and we look after it, we treat it

well, we do not throw trash or waste, we reuse and bury everything we use. In the

earth, we find plants, animals and the water that give us life. We also have a

special relationship with the water from the river and its streams. Our sacred

places are the waterfalls. In the reserve, there are several waterfalls in the streams

and small rivers that originate from the Mataje River. We use them in our

traditional medicine. For example, there is a disease known as duende and its

healing is done in the waterfall, as a cleansing ritual.-THIRD: The sprayings

came and broke our connections with our earth and our way of living. During my

time in Mataje Alto, I remember having experienced the fumigations about five

times. I think they sprayed every three to seven months, perhaps once or twice a

year. The first time was in 2002, when I saw three planes and a helicopter. The ANNEX 223

helicopter was flying higher than the planes, and a type of water was coming out

of the planes, it looked like a steam was being released.- FOURTH: From that

moment on, the problems started in the community. A few days later, I was

working at the health post, it was morning and three children came in sick with

diarrhea, vomiting, high fever, and stomach ache. The children were between two

and three years old. After a few days, the adults started coming in with fever,

vomiting, headache, diarrhea and stomachache. After that, people continued to

come to the health post with the same symptoms. Some people also had spots on

their skin. We were concerned because everyone exhibited the same symptoms,

which we had never seen before. Now and then, children would come to the

health post with diarrhea or the flu, but they were always separate and simple

episodes, it had never been so close one after the other, so widespread, so serious,

or with that combination of symptoms. I tried to treat them with medicinal plants

but it was not effective. The disease was too strong and rare, beyond our

knowledge and medicinal traditions. For this reason, we had to take these people

to the hospital in San Lorenzo. The situation was so severe that we had to make

the effort to get these people out of the community to San Lorenzo, where the

nearest hospital is located, in spite of access and transportation problems. We had

to walk for five hours, carrying the sick people on our backs, to Guadualito,

which is the only community that has a road, and from there traveled by car for

an hour and a half to San Lorenzo. In 2002 and 2003, the Red Cross came to theANNEX 223

communities. Before the sprayings, they had come for short visits, but when they

returned on these occasions, they stayed for a longer period, due to the

seriousness of the situation. Mataje Alto was not the only community affected by

the fumigations. During 2002, I was working with [REDACTED], health

promoter of San Marcos, province of Carchi, and, with [REDACTED], health

promoter of Guaña, who told me that their communities had experienced the

same health problems that existed in mine. After the sprayings, the effect was like

an epidemic that attacked the Awá border communities, and it would not go

away. In fact, we even had to bring a medical team from the Carchi Provincial

Health Office to treat the people in the communities every two months.

Everything was much more vulnerable than it originally was.- FIFTH: From the

first time they sprayed, our food supply was affected. By the third spraying, we

no longer had anything to eat, not from the domestic crops nor from the plants in

the mountain. The majority of the plants were either sick or dead. In the

community, we had planted yucca, maize, plantain, sugarcane, pineapple, borojo,

lemons and many other fruits. We had planted some of the crops near the house

and also in our farms. Since 2002, the plants began to get sick, the leaves were

yellowish and had spots, as if they were burned. They would dry up and fall off,

and we did not know why. The plant would not develop, there was a growth delay

and there was hardly any production. We had never seen this before. The farms

that were closer to the border were the most affected. The farther away from the ANNEX 223

border the less it affected the crops, the leaves would still dry up and fall off and

the plants would die but less drastically than those in farms closer to the edge of

the border. The closer to the border the less the plants produced, until total

death.- SIXTH: The third time they sprayed was fatal for our community. The

previous two times we saw the planes spraying the border in Colombia, but this

time they crossed to Ecuadorian territory, Awá territory. It was probably five

days later that some hectares of the natural forest, near the Mataje River, died.

Three days later the plants began to dry up and fall off, as if they were burned.

The leaves fell off the plants and all the branches died. All the plants, big and

small, were destroyed. Several species of wild plants that were in that hectare

died. I estimate that at least some thirty species of plants that died were used by

us in the Awá traditional medical treatments. They were used by the shamans to

cure the sick in the community. For example, the lengua de vaca was used to cure

a disease known as chutun, which is a spiritual disease. Other sicknesses treated

by the shaman are: shutu, duende, malmiento, espanto, and ojeado de piedra .

The shamans treat all thesesicknesses with medicinal plants found in nature near

the community, and that were affected by the sprayings. This time they destroyed

completely the production in the community. We no longer had anything to eat.

Our diet depended on the plants that we sow and those that are in nature, which

have been affected by the fumigations.- SEVENTH: I also noticed some effects

on the fish, following the sprayings. We often go fishing. After the spraying,ANNEX 223

when we went fishing, we noticed that the fish were sick. The zavalete had bumps

on the skin like blisters, their eyes looked pale, and the skin, which is usually a

lead-gray color, turned to a more redish color. The mojarras had on their tail and

fins hard tiny bumps, and their eyes also looked pale. We thought that was very

strange, we had never seen anything like it before. This happened more to the

zavaletas and mojarras, which are weaker than the other fish in the river. We did

not eat these fish because they seemed sick and we thought it would not be

healthy to eat them. We decided that it would be best to bury them to prevent

other animals from eating them and becoming sick.- EIGHTH: As a result of

the damages to health, nature, and our sources of food and spirituality, some

people had to move to other Awá communities within the reserve, which were

farther from the border and not affected by the sprayings. They made this

decision in order to avoid health problems caused by the fumigations and the

death of their crops, because they no longer had the means to survive.- Mr.

Notary Public, please add the customary clauses for the full validity of this public

instrument.- I. SALVADOR signs. Doctor Íñigo Salvador Crespo, Attorney, Bar

Association Number two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar Association

of Pichincha.- All essential legal requirements were observed for the execution of

this instrument and once read by me, the Notary Public, to the declarant, he

affirms it, ratifies it and signs it with me, in a single act, all to which I attest.- ANNEX 223

[signature]

signs) [REDACTED]

C.C.[REDACTED]

Executed before me and in witness whereof, I issue this SECOND

CERTIFIED COPY and hereunto set my hand and seal in Otavalo, on

February twentieth of the year two thousand and nine.-

NToa[rcnature]
[NSotaly[NSotalyANNEX 223ANNEX 223ANNEX 223ANNEX 223ANNEX 223ANNEX 223ANNEX 223ANNEX 223ANNEX 223ANNEX 223 ANNEX 224

Declaration of Witness 41, 20 Feb. 2009 ANNEX 224

DECLARATION

GIVEN BY:

[REDACTED]

QUANTITY: UNDERTERMINED

(ONE COPY) GIVEN

PUBLIC INSTRUMENT NO. 550

[Notary Seal]

In the city of Otavalo, on this day, Friday, the twentieth of February of

two thousand and nine, before me, ATTORNEY JOSE FABIAN

SIMBAÑA AYABACA, FIRST NOTARY OF THE CANTON OF

OTAVALO, appeared Mr. [REDACTED], who is of Ecuadorian

nationality, of legal age, single, competent, self-employed, domiciled in

the city of San Lorenzo, in transit through the city of Otavalo, legally

competent and on his own right, personally known to me, of which I

attest, to ask me to convert into a public instrument the declaration, which

has been faithfully copied and is as folMR. NOTARY PUBLIC .-

Please include in the Registry of Public Instruments under your custody a

declaration, contained in the following clausFIRST: My name is

[REDACTED]. I belong to the Awá indigenous nationality. I was born in

the Mataje Alto Community, on [REDACTED]. I was raised in MatajeANNEX 224

Alto and I have always lived there. Now, I am studying to finish high

school in the educational unit in the community. About six months ago, I

started working for the Federation of Awá Centres as youth leader and I

often travel to Ibarra because of my job. The Mataje Alto Community is

located in an ecological and Awá indigenous reserve. The community is

near the international border with Colombia .- SECOND .- I remember

particularly that in the year two thousand and two we were affected by the

sprayings. That first day, I was in school and I heard the planes and

helicopters, which they arrived a few minutes later. Since I was a fifteen-

year-old boy, I was curious and I came out of the school to see them. I

saw about three planes, accompanied by some helicopters. They were

coming from Colombia and turning around over Awá territory on the

Ecuadorian side. THIRD .- Before the spraying, we were healthy. But

after the spraying, many people in my community became sick. Some of

the people in the community had bumps all over their bodies. It was

strange, I had not seen that before. Also, some of them had white spots on

their skin and hives. Even I had some white spots on my arms. People

also suffered from headaches, stomach aches and vomiting.- FOURTH .-

When an Awá person gets sick, first he goes to a healer, who is a type of a

traditional doctor. The healer treats people with natural medicines. The

healer uses, above all, plants to cure people, for example, a plant known ANNEX 224

as lengua de vaca , which grows in the forest outside the community.

Sometimes, this natural medicine cures and sometimes it does not. If he is

not cured, then he can visit the health promoter in the community, an Awá

who is trained in Western medicine. If he still does not get better with the

treatments provided in the community, people go to the hospital in San

Lorenzo. We have no roads in the Awá community, so we can only go by

foot. To get to San Lorenzo, one has to walk around three hours to reach

the Mataje River, and then take a canoe. After an hour in the canoe, one

arrives at a mestizo community known as El Pan and from there, it takes

about two hours by car to get to San Lorenzo. That is how people affected

by the sprayings proceeded. Those who did not get better with the

traditional medicines had to go to the hospital in San Lorenzo.- FIFTH .-

Not only were the people affected but the animals were too. After the

spraying, many of the chickens that we raised became sick, they would

not walk but rather remained seated, and within a few days some of them

died. The chicks either remained small or did not survive. We also raised

some ducks that either got sick or died.- SIXTH .- Aside from the

domestic animals, the forest and the animals in the jungle were also

affected. After the spraying, I went with my grandfather to a place where

there are several hectares of primary forest. There one can hunt animals

such as the monkey, spotted paca and the guatin. One can use a shotgunANNEX 224

to hunt, but the elders, like my grandfather, also know how to set traps to

catch the animals. When we went to the primary forest to hunt after the

spraying, we noticed that several natural trees had dried up and were dead.

We also saw some dead animals such as deer, guatin and sloth. I was very

surprised to see these animals dead.- SEVENTH .- Nature is very

important to the Awá people. We believe that the spirit of man remains

with nature. We are deeply connected to the river and waterfalls, and

many rituals are based on these natural resources. If a person becomes

sick, that person is taken to the river or to a waterfall and is bathed there

and treated with medicinal plants. There are some waterfalls in the Awá

territory that are considered sacred places. Few walk by these places

because they are reserved for rituals. The wild animals are also important

to our tradition. For example, the skin of the deer is dried and used to

make drums (such as tambores) in order to make music that is listened to

in the healing ceremony of ancestral diseases. The plants are also

important to our traditions and some were affected by the spraying. The

healers said that the lengua de vaca and other medicinal plants died in the

sprayed sector of the forest.- EIGHTH .- In addition to the wild plants,

the crops were also affected. In my community we consume the chiro, a

fruit like orito. We also grow yucca, sugarcane and maize. After the

sprayings, all the crops began to dry up. They turned yellow two or three ANNEX 224

days after the sprayings. The leaves of the sugarcane became withered

and they fell off. The yucca leaves also withered, and the maize

completely died within a week after the sprayings.- NINTH .- Te

community used to live off the crops that grew in our land, but after the

sprayings we lost several crops such as maize. In our community we eat a

lot of maize and after the sprayings we had to buy it outside or go hungry.

After the spraying, people planted again but the land no longer produced

as before. It affected almost all of the produce; to this day, the crops do

not produce as before.- Mr. Notary Public, please add the customary

clauses for the full validity of this public instrument.- I. SALVADOR

signs. Doctor Íñigo Salvador Crespo, Attorney, Bar Association Number

two thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, Bar Association of

Pichincha.- All essential legal requirements were observed for the

execution of this instrument and once read by me, the Notary Public, to

the deponent, he affirms it, ratifies it and signs it with me, in a single act,

all to which I attest.-

[signature]

signs) [REDACTED]

C.C.[REDACTED]ANNEX 224

Executed before me and in witness whereof, I issue this

SECOND CERTIFIED COPY and hereunto set my hand and seal

in Otavalo, on February twentieth of the year two thousand and

nine.-

NPou[ricnature]

[NSotaly[Noetay]ANNEX 224ANNEX 224ANNEX 224ANNEX 224ANNEX 224ANNEX 224ANNEX 224ANNEX 224 ANNEX 225

Declaration of Colombia Witness 1, 20. Feb 2009 ANNEX 225

[Notary Seal]
REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA
PROVINCE OF PUTUMAYO
SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC OF VALLE DEL GUAMUEZ – LA HORMIGA

DECLARATION - DECREES 1557 AND 2282 OF 1989. In La Hormiga,

Municipality of Valle del GuamuezthProvince of Putumayo, Republic of
Colombia, on the twentieth (20 ) day of the month of February of two
thousand and nine (2009), before me ARMANDO RAMIRO
HERNANDEZ ZAMBRANO, Sole Notary Public of the Circuit of Valle

del Guamuez, appeared [REDACTED], identified with citizenship card
number [REDACTED], issued in Valle del Guamuez. (P).- Who being of
sound mind and legal capacity declares the following under the oath: My
name is as stated, I am from Puerto Asís. (P).- Married – to

[REDACTED].- I have 7 children. Profession TRADITIONAL
DOCTOR.- Domiciled in and resident of Campo Alegre Reserve,
Municipality of San Migel[sic.] (P).- The object of my declaration is the
following:

1.- That I have no impediment to give this declaration.-
2.- Under Oath, I hereby declare that: the reserve has been sprayed
three times. The first fumigation was approximately in 2000, the second was

about six months later that same year, and the third was at the end of 2003.
3.- The sprayings brought disease. The first spraying caused diarrhea
in children. Eight children were sick in my community; it was like being
poisoned by fish. We had to take them to the La Hormiga Hospital, the

doctor told them that they had been poisoned by the fumigations.
4.- The second spraying affected my wife, [REDACTED]. She
miscarried, a boy. She was at the mountain cutting plantain while she was

six months pregnant. According to her, the plane flew by at a very low
altitude and dropped the poison over her body. She initially lost her sight,
her eyes were burning a lot, and to this day she does not see well. A week
later, she miscarried and was sick to her stomach, like an ulcer. She also

had a skin rash, especially on her arms and where it was exposed, she was
wearing a short-sleeve blouse. We took her to the doctor because she got
worse, but she did not fully recover. The doctor told us it was the result of
the spraying of the poison which had contaminated her body.

5.- In the spraying of the year 2003, the plane sprayed over the bravo,
the 10-hectare natural reserve; and, all the natural medicine was lost. The
most devastating thing was losing the yagé medicine. Spiritually, the yagé
has its mission, its science and with the spray that fell over it, the spirits thatANNEX 225

accompany the yagé left, they abandoned it; so the yagé plant began to dry
up slowly and with it the whole mountain. Four months later there were

only weeds. The loss of the yagé made us sick. Today we suffer from
headaches, body aches, we feel fatigued. We had never experienced these
symptoms before because we used to cure and cleanse the body with
medicinal plants.

6.- The streams and creeks were contaminated, the fish died, the water
looked shiny, the people that bathed in the river had bumps on their skin.
The little dogs were poisoned; chicks, chickens, and the mountain monkeys
died. The guaras were frightened away; we could not find any spotted

pacas, and the armadillo left, which are also part of our food sustenance.
7.- In 2003, our food was also sprayed; we had planted maize, yucca,
plantain, and chiro. We suffered a year of hunger because we lost
everything. We had nothing to eat and we went to our neighbors and they

did not have any either because their places had also been fumigated. The
plantain and yucca were black, yet having nothing, we had to eat them and
we got sick. A health brigade that came by the reserve said the poison had
caused the symptoms.

This declaration is given for legal purposes deemed appropriate. That is all
Mr. Notary Public.- The undersigned Notary Public has Informed the
declarant that Declarations are NOT required for acknowledgement of a
specific and concrete right before the public administration under Art. 25 of

Law 962 of 2005.- Authorized at the request of the declarant.
Notice: Declarant, please read and review carefully your declaration before
affixing your signature and fingerprint. Once authorized by the Notary
Public, NO claims, changes or corrections are accepted.

Not having any other motive for this proceeding, it is complete and signed
by those who participated in its execution, once read and approved. Fees
(Dec.) 9,100 [pesos]- R. 9500 / 2008. VAT (Dec.) 1,456 [pesos]-.
L633/00.- TOTAL (Dec.) 10,556 [pesos].

[fingerprint]
DECLARANT [signature] FINGERPRINT

[signature]

ARMANDO RAMIRO HERNANDEZ ZAMBRANO
SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC.- P.C. 49016 Higher Judicial Council
[Notary Seal]
[stamp]ANNEX 225ANNEX 225 ANNEX 226

Declaration of Colombia Witness 2, 20. Feb 2009 ANNEX 226

[Notary Seal]

REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA

PROVINCE OF PUTUMAYO
SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC OF VALLE DEL GUAMUEZ – LA HORMIGA

DECLARATION - DECREES 1557 AND 2282 OF 1989. In La Hormiga,
Municipality of Valle del Guamuez, Province of Putumayo, Republic of
Colombia, on the twentieth (20 t) day of the month of February of two

thousand and nine (2009), before me ARMANDO RAMIRO
HERNANDEZ ZAMBRANO, Sole Notary Public of the Circuit of Valle
del Guamuez, appeared [REDACTED], identified with citizenship card
number [REDACTED], issued in Corinto (Cauca).- Who being of sound

mind and legal capacity declares the following under oath: My name is as
stated, I am from Corinto (Cauca).- Married – to [REDACTED].- I have 7
children. Profession Farmer.- Domiciled in and resident of Tierra Linda

Reserve, Municipality of Valle del Guamez (P).- The object of my
declaration is the following:
1.- That I have no impediment to give this declaration.-
2.- Under Oath, I hereby declare that: I am of Nasa indigenous descent,

a traditional leader, Thë wala. I am a member of the Elders Council of the
Permanent Table of the Cofán Peoples and indigenous reserves, comprised
of five indigenous peoples, Cofán, Kichwa, Emberas, Awa and Nasa.
3.- During the first spraying, which occurred in the year 2000,

everything was burned, the small coca crops – which are allowed for our
cultural uses – and all the crops that we had then, plantain, yucca,yota, a
type of potato, mafafa, chili, chiro, maize, and rice. This spraying was very
difficult. It happened on January 1 of the year 2000. We were at a

community festival, 130 people were gathered in the school, when the plane
appeared and dropped the poison over us. It was around 10 in the morning,
the plane was flying high. We saw a shiny patch, like a white fog that was
descending slowly. This stain can be seen more clearly on the plants that

were left shiny and sticky. Since we had not seen this before, we were very
surprised and we were standing immobile watching as the planes flew over
us. Later that afternoon, the planes flew by over the same place again.
4.- Two days after this spraying, the yucca and maize started turning

yellow. Afterwards, the big trees began losing their leaves until they dried
up. This process lasted about a week. The mafafa and plantain were
rotting from within, the poison penetrated through the core to the root and

everything rotted. When the yucca is peeled, it had black spots; the plantain
was also starting to have black spots.ANNEX 226

5.- The land is dry and remains burned. We have tried to re-plant the
maize and it does not grow more than a metre high. Everything turns

yellow, plants do not bear fruit and the stalk is bare. Currently, the maize is
producing some black grains that give off a black dust. The same goes for
the plantain, it does not grow beyond two metres nor does it bear fruits.
This has us very concerned because we have not been able to recover our

subsistence crops. The contamination of the land does not permit the crops
to grow healthy, which places us in a very serious food security situation.
6.- The people who were at the festival and were sprayed with the
poison became sick. A week later, all of them had fever, headaches and

bumps that itched intensely. The rashes were present on the exposed part of
the skin; for example, on the arms of the adults, but the children had the rash
all over their bodies. This resulted from the water collected from the well
and contaminated with the poison.

7.- As a traditional leader, I can say that the fumigation has seriously
affected our health, not only because of the diseases, but also because we
have lost all our medicinal plants. They are special plants that we have for
our remedies, to cure our community, and which are also used in our

spiritual ceremonies. The plant loses its healing power and in this sense we
also lose our spiritual strength, and we are increasingly sick. On one
occasion when the plane flew by spraying, we protected one of our most
sacred plants inside a house, but that poison is so fierce that it dried up the

plant.
8.- From 2000 to 2008, they have sprayed over our community about
six times. They always spray during the summer. The last spraying
occurred last year. There was no longer any coca and yet they sprayed over

us. We were inside the house when they flew by twice, once in the
morning and then again at the end of the afternoon. My family was sick
with diarrhea, cough and fever. We did not go to the health center because
we tried to use our natural remedies, but these were not effective because
they were also contaminated.

9.- Among the animals, we saw a lot of dead monkeys and birds in the
jungle. The Guara, a variety of the wild pig, disappeared. Among the
domestic animals, the chickens and chicks have been affected the most, they
died. They had some type of plague with cough, and when we opened them

up, their bowels inside were yellow. The cattle and horses lost their hair,
they had some type of scab that generated wounds.
10.- Before the sprayings, we did not suffer from these diseases. We
only suffered from yellow fever but not from rashes, coughs or intense

headaches. The food was healthy and our community was also healthier and
stronger. Now, people feel fatigued; the earth does not produce. We do not
want to move because our territories are sacred to us and are part of our
world view. We want the government to stop fumigating and allow us to ANNEX 226

recover our land, clean it, in order for us to find our harmony as a

community.
This declaration is given for legal purposes deemed appropriate. That is all
Mr. Notary Public.- The undersigned Notary Public has Informed the
declarant that Declarations are NOT required for acknowledgement of a

specific and concrete right before the public administration under Art. 25 of
Law 962 of 2005.- Authorized at the request of the declarant.
Notice: Declarant, please read and review carefully your declaration before
affixing your signature and fingerprint. Once authorized by the Notary

Public, NO claims, changes or corrections are accepted.
Not having any other motive for this proceeding, it is complete and signed
by those who participated in its execution, once read and approved. Fees
(Dec.) 9,100 [pesos]- R. 9500 / 2008. VAT (Dec.) 1,456 [pesos]-.

L633/00.- TOTAL (Dec.) 10,556 [pesos].

[fingerprint]
DECLARANT [signature] FINGERPRINT

[signature]
ARMANDO RAMIRO HERNANDEZ ZAMBRANO

SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC.- P.C. 49016 Higher Judicial Council
[Notary Seal]
[stamp]ANNEX 226ANNEX 226 ANNEX 227

Declaration of Colombia Witness 3, 20. Feb 2009 ANNEX 227

[Notary Seal]

REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA

PROVINCE OF PUTUMAYO
SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC OF VALLE DEL GUAMUEZ – LA HORMIGA
–

DECLARATION - DECREES 1557 AND 2282 OF 1989. In La
Hormiga, Municipality of Valle del Guamuez, Province of Putumayo,
Republic of Colombia, on the twentieth (20 t) day of the month of

February of two thousand and nine (2009), before me ARMANDO
RAMIRO HERNANDEZ ZAMBRANO , Sole Notary Public of the
Circuit of Valle del Guamuez, appeared [REDACTED], identified with
citizenship card number [REDACTED], issued in Guamuez Valley (P).-

Who being of sound mind and legal capacity declares the following
under oath: My name is as stated, I am from Puerto Asís. (P).-
Cohabiting – with [REDACTED].- I have 5 children. Profession

HOMEMAKER.- Domiciled in and resident of LADO AGRIOI [sic],
ECUADOR.- The object of my declaration is the following:

1.- That I have no impediment to give this declaration.-

2.- Under Oath, I hereby declare that: On 25 December 2006, at three
in the afternoon, three planes flew over my house spraying. They flew
by three times in intervals of ten minutes for each round. The planes

released the poison over our house. My entire family was with me
inside the house when we saw the planes; we stayed inside waiting for
them to pass. The planes were dropping a drizzle; smoke came out of
the planes and then turned into a very fine rain when it spread. It was

oily. That day, we stayed in the house, outside it smelled like the poison
to kill weeds.

3.- On 26 December, at six in the morning, we went to get water from a

natural spring near the house, we drink and cook with that water; my
husband had brought that water in a bottle and when I went to get it,
foam came out, as if it had soap. I drank that water; it did not taste
normal, like everyday water; about five minutes after I drank this

water, I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. Since I had not had anything
else to drink or eat, I told my husband that the water had made me sick.
Still, with that water we prepared aguapanela which is a traditional

beverage: we boil the water with the panela and we have it for breakfastANNEX 227

with rice and egg; my daughters told me that the aguapanela tasted
strange. I kept feeling a sharp pain in stomach.

4.- I sent four of my daughters to wash clothes in the spring which is
near our house. I stayed home with my two-month-old granddaughter.
They returned immediately saying that they could not do the washing

there because the water was oily and that they were going to La Guisia
River, which is about 15 minutes from my house.

5.- As time passed, I felt more sickly. Around ten in the morning, I

began vomiting and having diarrhea, the two symptoms at the same
time. I could not stop, it was one after the other, I also had a strong
headache and felt faint all over, I could barely stand up. I went to bathe
at a nearby creek and a friend found me lying there, they took me home

and they could not control the vomiting and diarrhea.

6.- My husband went looking for our daughters at the river so that they
could help me, when he ran into them, they were bringing back my

youngest daughter, who at that time was six years old. She was sick
with same symptoms as me, vomiting diarrhea and a headache. At the
same time, my 14-year-old daughter also fell ill with the same
symptoms. Shortly afterward, my 16-year-old daughter also felt sick

with vomiting, headache and diarrhea. My 18-year-old daughter and her
three-month-old daughter, whom I was looking after, also became sick.
Finally, my husband also fell ill, with vomiting and diarrhea. My
daughters thought we were all going to die.

7.- Our neighbors saved us. The community saw that we were sick,
they got together and got us out, all six of us, by carrying us in bed
sheets and hammocks. They took us to La Dorada Hospital, where I
arrived unconscious. The following day, I woke up with tubes in my

mouth and nose; the doctor showed me a bag with a green liquid that
they had collected after taking it out of me. He told me that I was going
to die with that, with that poison from the spraying; that the same poison
was taken out of my whole family; and, that I had been affected the

most. The following day we were discharged from the hospital at nine
in the morning, I continued to be sick. I still had a headache and
stomachache. Finally, I went to a clinic in Lago Agrio, Ecuador, where
they did some tests and gave me some medicine. There, the doctors

commented that a lot of people, contaminated by the sprayings, were
coming in. ANNEX 227

8.- About fifteen days later, my youngest daughter, six years old, the

fourteen-year-old and I started having black spots on our skin and it
itched all over our bodies. Once again, we had to go to Lago Agrio,
where they gave us a cream that soothed the itching.

9.- The spraying ruined the subsistence crops that we had, maize, yucca,
plantain, rice and sugar cane, the chickens also died. I also know that
three children were sick with vomiting and diarrhea. We were left with
nothing to eat or do because everyone in the community was going

through the same situation.

The undersigned Notary Public has Informed the declarant that out-of-
court statements are NOT required for acknowledgement of a specific

and concrete right before the public administration under Article 25 of
Law 962 of 2005.- Authorized at the request of the deponent.

Notice:Declarant, please read and review carefully your declaration

before affixing your signature and fingerprint. Once authorized by the
Notary Public, NO claims, changes or corrections are accepted.
Not having any other motive for this proceeding, it is done and signed

by those who participated in its execution, once read and approved.
Fees (Dec.) $9,100- R. 9500 / 2008. VAT (Dec) $1,456-. L633/00.-
TOTAL (Dec) $10,556.

[fingerprint]
DECLARANT [signature] FINGERPRINT

ARMANDO RAMIRO HERNANDEZ ZAMBRANO
SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC.- P.C. 49016 Higher Judicial Council
[Notary Seal]
[Stamp]ANNEX 227ANNEX 227 ANNEX 228

Declaration of Colombia Witness 4, 20. Feb 2009 ANNEX 228

[Notary Seal]

REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA

PROVINCE OF PUTUMAYO
SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC OF VALLE DEL GUAMUEZ– LA HORMIGA

DECLARATION- DECREES 1557 AND 2282 OF 1989. In La Hormiga,
Municipality of Valle del Guamuez, Province of Putumayo, Republic of
Colombia, on the twentieth (20 th) day of the month of February of two

thousand and nine (2009), before me ARMANDO RAMIRO
HERNANDEZ ZAMBRANO, Sole Notary Public of the Circuit of Valle
del Guamuez, appeared [REDACTED], identified with citizenship card
number [REDACTED], issued in LA DORADA (V).- Who being of sound

mind and legal capacity declares the following under oath: My name is as
stated, I am from Mayasquer. (N).- Cohabiting – with Ms. [REDACTED].-
I have 3 children. Profession FARMER.- Domiciled in and resident of La

Dorada, Municipality of San Migel [ sic].- The object of my declaration is
the following:

1.- That I have no impediment to give this declaration.-

2.- Under Oath, I hereby declare that: When we started we were forty-
five partner producers, but after the first spraying in the year 2000, people
were discouraged and were leaving the organization because the crops that

they had cultivated with so much effort year after year were being sprayed
by the planes. Currently, we are twenty-two producers.

3.- In the year 1998, each producer had his own farm, located in

different districts of the San Miguel Municipality. The first spraying in the
year 2000 damaged the crops of all forty-five partners. This situation was
repeated every year. In 2004, following[ sic] the recommendation of an
Anti-narcotics Police officer, who told us that in order to keep them from

spraying our crops, we should put the entire production in one single farm,
georeference it and give them the coordinates so that the planes would no
longer spray over that territory. With this recommendation, in the year
2004, we collected contributions from the partners and bought a forty-

hectare farm. Each partner had a hectare of land to plant pepper. The farm
cost us sixty million [pesos] and the establishment of each hectare of pepper
cost us twenty-four million pesos, with live trainers. On that occasion, the

Plan Colombia gave us the seed, part of the fertilizer and the live trainers.
The NGO, operator of Plan Colombia, COMFALIAR, did all the proceduresANNEX 228

for the georeferencing and confirmed to us that they had sent the coordinates
to the Anti-narcotics Police. However, seven months after having planted

the pepper, the area was sprayed damaging approximately twelve of the
twenty hectares of planted pepper. We filed a claim for these damages with
the administrative section of the Municipality but we never received a
response.

4.- We were affected by the sprayings from 2000 to 2006. During this
period, the planes flew over our pepper crops and other crops that we were
cultivating in order to show the campesino that it is possible to live off other

things aside from the coca; among them we had pineapple, turmeric,
copoazú, rice, maize and yucca.

5.- With the spraying of the year 2006, they again sprayed twelve and a

half hectares of pepper. Two partners who were on the land confirmed to us
that three planes flew over them, spraying these crops. After the spraying
the pepper crops began to turn yellow, their leaves fell off and they dried up,
and the stem and root rotted.

6.- We filed a complaint with the Administrative Office of the
Municipality of San Miguel and after a few months, they sent us an official
letter from the Anti-narcotics Office indicating that the complaint could not

proceed because, according to them, we had coca on our farm, which is not
true because Umata, the Municipal Agricultural Technology Assistance
Unit, the State entity responsible for the verification of damages caused by
the fumigations, verified the damages and the absence of coca crops on our

land. Moreover, that farm was purchased with the sole purpose of planting
licit crops. After a while, we did not continue to pursue these complaints,
because these procedures were time-consuming and they wore us out with
questions that were impossible to answer. For example, on the complaint
form that was handed to us, they asked things like: state the exact amount

of poison emitted from the planes, state the exact altitude of the plane, the
exact hour, which way was the wind blowing at the time of the spraying,
and attach photos of the plane fumigating. In addition, campesinos were
required to provide property titles of the farms, which is not easy, because

these lands were wastelands granted by the State for land settlement but
they were never duly recorded. When these impossible questions were not
answered with the required accuracy, the demand became invalid.

7.- From 2000 to 2006, we, the producers of pepper, have received a
total of ten sprayings. Because of these fumigations, we have lost around
forty-six hectares of pepper. This represents a value of 1,104,000 pesos that
the national government has not acknowledged. ANNEX 228

8.- The sprayings on these alternative crops are absurd. We do not
understand how, on the one hand, USAID, with resources from Plan

Colombia, believes in us and creates a processing and marketing company
for us called Condimentos Putumayo , and on the other hand, these
alternative crops, such as pepper in this case, are being continuously sprayed
with resources from the same Plan Colombia.

9.- I also witnessed the spraying of more than one hundred hectares of
cocoa, a project funded by Plan Colombia. They also sprayed the heart of
palm crops, another star project of the alternative development plan in the

region, and recently, in 2006 and 2007, the stevia and sugar cane were
sprayed.

10.- These sprayings do not allow us to develop alternatives or

opportunities. They take away the opportunity to demonstrate to the
campesinos who grow crops that there are reliable alternatives to replace the
illicit crops. These sprayings condemn us to poverty.

The undersigned Notary Public has Informed the declarant that Declarations
are NOT required for acknowledgement of a specific and concrete right
before the public administration under Art. 25 of Law 962 of 2005.-
Authorized at the request of the declarant.

Notice: Declarant, please read and review carefully your declaration before
affixing your signature and fingerprint. Once authorized by the Notary
Public, NO claims, changes or corrections are accepted.
Not having any other motive for this proceeding, it is complete and signed

by those who participated in its execution, once read and approved. Fees
(Dec.) 9,100 [pesos]- R. 9500 / 2008. VAT (Dec.) 1,456 [pesos]-.
L633/00.- TOTAL (Dec.) 10,556 [pesos].

[fingerprint]

DECLARANT [signature] FINGERPRINT

[signature]
ARMANDO RAMIRO HERNANDEZ ZAMBRANO

SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC.- P.C. 49016 Higher Judicial Council
[Notary Seal]
[stamp]ANNEX 228ANNEX 228 ANNEX 229

Declaration of Colombia Witness 5, 20. Feb 2009 ANNEX 229

[Notary Seal]

REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA

PROVINCE OF PUTUMAYO
SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC OF VALLE DEL GUAMUEZ– LA HORMIGA

DECLARATION - DECREES 1557 AND 2282 OF 1989. In La Hormiga,
Municipality of Valle del Guamuez, Province of Putumayo, Republic of
Colombia, on the twentieth (20 t) day of the month of February of two

thousand and nine (2009), before me ARMANDO RAMIRO
HERNANDEZ ZAMBRANO, Sole Notary Public of the Circuit of Valle
del Guamuez, appeared [REDACTED], identified with citizenship card
number [REDACTED], issued in RICAURTE (N).- Who being of sound

mind and legal capacity declares the following under oath: My name is as
stated, I am from BARBACOAS (N). Cohabiting – with [REDACTED].- I
have 8 children. Profession FARMER.- Domiciled in and resident of Alto
Comboy, Municipality of San Miguel (P).- The object of my declaration is

the following:

1.- That I have no l impediment to give this declaration.-

2.- Under Oath, I hereby declare that: Alto Comboy is composed of 22
families, of campesinos and indigenous people. We have three border
crossings with access to the city of Lago Agrio in Sucumbíos, Ecuador. The
crossings are Salinas, Betano and Barranca.

3.- Since the year 2000, our community has been fumigated eight times.
The spraying in December 2002 affected the Colombian-Ecuadorian border,

which is across from our community. On this occasion, the planes flew by
around noon. They were flying very low and sprayed the poison by the
bank of the San Miguel River. They sprayed Bocana del Comboy, a
Colombian island, and an Ecuadorian island that is across – I do not

remember its name. That day, I saw three planes and fourteen helicopters
following the river’s course and spreading the poison over the river bed. At
that moment, I was right across from the Bocana del Comboy island. I was
looking for plantains to eat because eight days before, they had already

sprayed over us and the plantain in our community was completely black
and rotted. I noticed that when the poison came out of the plane, it was a
black steam and then it disperses like a white cloud. I sensed a very strong
odor. On that day, the three planes fumigated the same route twice, with aANNEX 229

fifteen-minute interval between each spraying. The poison fell over me. I
had a headache and felt nauseous. I remember that it was sticky and oily. I

immediately took off my clothes, a blue jean and a black short-sleeve shirt,
and bathed well. However, the following day I started breaking out in a
rash, first on the face and arms, and three days later all over my body. They
are like small red blisters that did not let me sleep because they were

unbearable. Although I went to the doctor, I still suffer from this rash and
there’s still evidence of it on my body.

4.- This spraying of 2002, affected the health of our community of Alto

Comboy. The children were sick with headaches, vomiting, diarrhea and
rashes on the skin. Some of the adults also got sick. Due to lack of
economic resources, we were unable to go to the hospital in Valle del
Guamuez every time we got sick. Before the sprayings, the only disease

that attacked us was malaria. Since then, and especially each time they
fumigate, people get sick with diarrhea, vomiting and rashes. We are
worried because the children born after 2000, when the sprayings began, do
not develop as healthy as those born before the fumigations. There is

greater malnutrition, they do not grow and are often sick. I am certain that
one of my children died because of the sprayings. This happened in January
2006 when they sprayed our house. All of my seven children suffered from
rashes and diarrhea. My three-year-old son, Abigael Ortiz, was affected

more than the others. He was very sick, especially with diarrhea; he
continued like this throughout the year 2006. We took him to the hospital,
practiced traditional medicine but he did not get better. In the end, he died
on 11 February 2007.

5.- In the case of the adults, I know my two sisters and a neighbor
suffered with coughing due to the fumigations. They have been tested
several times for Tuberculosis but the results are negative. Before the
sprayings, they did not suffer from this disease.

6.- Another effect from the sprayings of 2002 was hunger. Our
community was left with nothing to eat. The crops of plantain, yucca, chiro,
sugar cane, chontanduro, sapodilla plum, and caimarón grape dried up. The

earth turned black and remained like this for more than three months. The
lack of food forced me to go to the Ecuadorian side in search for food. I
went a kilometre into the Ecuadorian side, where I know there are several
farms that produce cacao, coffee, plantain and yucca. But there, I witnessed

the damages they had also suffered due to the sprayings. They were similar
to ours on the Colombian side: the maize crop was yellow, that is to say it
was no longer usable because when it becomes like that, it does not produce
a harvest; the cacao and coffee fruit had dropped their seeds on the ground ANNEX 229

and their leaves were a burned yellowish color. I heard the Ecuadorian
people complaining about the Colombian sprayings, which were affecting

their cacao and coffee crops; and, they were very worried because this was
their only means of subsistence. They also told me that since the first
fumigation, which occurred in the year 2000, the production of their coffee
and cacao crops has decreased considerably.

7.- The spraying of December 2000 was also very difficult. Four of my
cows died. After eating the sprayed grass, the cows suffered from diarrhea
and started to get thinner and thinner. They were sick for 15 days and then

died. After this fumigation, we found several dead jungle animals, monkeys
and birds. On my long walks in the jungle, I found birds such as
mochileros, guacharacas, cardinals and azulejos lying on the ground . The
fish such as the singo, Shad, Garopa, Bocachicho, and Dorada were not

seen again, they were displaced from our streams and that affected us a lot
because they are our main food source for subsistence. I repeat we had not
seen this before the sprayings. The animals fled our territories.

8.- In the mountains, the achapo, granadillo and amarillo trees are no
longer producing seeds. Before, they would bloom and we would find the
seeds in a pile on the ground. Since the year 2000, we cannot find seeds to
reforest and we are losing valuable native trees that are essential for the

construction of our homes, since that wood is stronger and long-lasting. We
have also lost the different varieties of yucca. Before, we used to have 16
varieties and now, there are only three. In the case of the white maize, we
cannot find its seeds.

9.- Many of our people have been displaced because of the lack of food,
generated by the fumigations. In the year 2000, we were 40 families. Some
went to Ecuador and others to the neighboring province of Nariño. They
left everything out of the desperation resulting from so much spraying.

This declaration is given for legal purposes deemed appropriate. That is all
Mr. Notary Public.- The undersigned Notary Public has Informed the
declarant that the declaration is NOT required for the recognition of a
specific and concrete right before the public administration under Art. 25 of

Law 962 of 2005.- Authorized at the request of the declarant.
Notice: Declarant, please read and review carefully your declaration before
affixing your signature and fingerprint. Once authorized by the Notary
Public, NO claims, changes or corrections are accepted.

Not having any other motive for this proceeding, it is complete and signed
by those who participated in its execution, once read and approved. Fees
(Dec.) $9,100- R. 9500 / 2008. VAT (Dec) $1,456-. L633/00.- TOTAL
(Dec) $10,556.ANNEX 229

[fingerprint]
DECLARANT [signature] FINGERPRINT

[signature]
ARMANDO RAMIRO HERNANDEZ ZAMBRANO

SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC.- P.C. 49016 Higher Judicial Council
[Notary Seal]
[stamp]ANNEX 229ANNEX 229ANNEX 229 ANNEX 230

Declaration of Colombia Witness 6, 20. Feb 2009 ANNEX 230

[Notary Seal]

REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA

PROVINCE OF PUTUMAYO
SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC OF VALLE DEL GUAMUEZ – LA HORMIGA

DECLARATION - DECREES 1557 AND 2282 OF 1989. In La Hormiga,
Municipality of Valle del Guamuez, Province of Putumayo, Republic of
Colombia, on the twentieth (20 th) day of the month of February of two

thousand and nine (2009), before me ARMANDO RAMIRO
HERNANDEZ ZAMBRANO, Sole Notary Public of the Circuit of Valle
del Guamuez, appeared [REDACTED], identified with citizenship card
number [REDACTED], issued in Samaniego. (N).- Who being of sound

mind and legal capacity declares the following under oath: My name is as
stated, I am from Samaniego. (N). Married – to [REDACTED].- I have
one child. Profession DRIVER.- Domiciled in and resident of La Dorada,

Municipality of San Migel[sic].- The object of my declaration is the
following:
1.- I have no impediment to give this declaration.-

2.- Under the Seriousness of Oath, I hereby declare that: The first
spraying was at the beginning of 2001, it was eleven in the morning and I
was working with my father on the farm where I have pasture, crops of
maize, rice, plantain, chiro, sugar cane and fruit trees. I saw five planes

coming toward us, they were spraying. We ran to the house to take cover
from the poison. From there, I saw the planes release a gray smoke over the
crops that were by the San Miguel River and over the nearby farms. The
planes were flying parallel to the river and returned five times doing the

same operation. I saw how they dropped the poison on all the farms located
on the Ecuadorian side, they also passed over my house five times.

3.- Among the effects that we suffered from the spraying of 2001, I

remember the damages to my crops. All the leaves from the trees had black
spots, four days after they began turning yellow and fall off. Fifteen days
after, the plantain started to turn yellow and rot from the inside, the bunch
dried up and turned black. The leaves from the orange trees also fell off

fifteen days after and the trees did not bear fruit again. The yucca and
tomato suffered more and the yucca, for example, lost its leaves five days
after, and black spots appeared along the root and it rotted. The tomato died

immediately after the poison fell over it.ANNEX 230

4.- A month after the spraying, I crossed the San Miguel River and went
to the Ecuadorian side to a place known as Salinas to visit some relatives

that live there. I noticed that they had also been affected by the spraying,
they had a farm with crops of maize, rice, yucca, plantain, coffee and cacao,
which are the crops that they plant there. As on my farm, I saw that the
maize was bent and dry, the yucca had lost its leaves, the plantain bunches

had black spots, the cacao fruit started to spoil and rot, and the hardest thing
is that they do not produce again, they become stagnant.

5.- The second spraying was in mid-2006. That time, there four planes,

they entered opposite to the first time, this time they came facing the San
Miguel River. I noticed that they went into Ecuadorian territory, turned
around toward Colombia, opened the valve of the poison over the river and
spread the poison, they returned and turned around on the Ecuadorian side

and came in again with the same procedure three times. I was in the house
and I saw them from there. After this spraying, I felt as if I had the flu and
my two-and-half-year-old son became seriously ill, he got bumps all over
his body and they itched a lot. I took him to La Dorada Hospital and they

gave him some creams to soothe the itching.

6.- With the second spraying the same thing happened as in the first one,
the crops that we had, maize, plantain, yucca, sugar cane and rice, were

ruined the fruits got black spots, the plants started to rot, the pasture dried
up, the chickens that I had died, I lost seventy farmyard birds. We were left
with no food, nothing; we were so desperate that we had to leave the farm; I
could not plant anything, the fumigations ruined it all, and I have not been

able to recover what I had.

The undersigned Notary Public has Informed the declarant that affidavits are
NOT required for acknowledgement of a specific and concrete right before
public administration under Article 25 of Law 962 of 2005.- Authorized at

the request of the declarant.
Notice: Declarant, please read and review carefully your declaration before
affixing your signature and fingerprint. Once authorized by the Notary
Public, NO claims, changes or corrections are accepted.

Not having any other motive for this proceeding, it is complete and signed
by those who participated in its execution, once read and approved. Fees
(Dec.) $9,100- R. 9500 / 2008. TAX (Dec) $1,456-. L633/00.- TOTAL
(Dec) $10,556. ANNEX 230

[fingerprint]

DECLARANT [signature] FINGERPRINT

[signature]

ARMANDO RAMIRO HERNANDEZ ZAMBRANO
SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC.- P.C. 49016 Higher Judicial Council
[Notary Seal]

[Stamp]ANNEX 230ANNEX 230 ANNEX 231

Declaration of Colombia Witness 8, 4 Mar. 2009 ANNEX 231

[Notary Seal]

REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA
PROVINCE OF PUTUMAYO

SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC OF THE VALLE DEL GUAMEZ
LA HORMIGA

AFFADAVIT-.- DECREES: 1557 AND 2282 OF 1989.- In La Hormiga,
Valle del Guamez Municipality, Province of Putumayo, Republic of
th
Colombia, on the fourth (04 ) day of the month of March of two-thousand
and nine (2009), before ARMANDO RAMIRO HERNANDEZ
ZAMBRANO, Sole Notary Public of the Circuit of Valle del Guamuez,
[REDACTED] appeared, identified with citizenship card number

[REDACTED] issued in San Miguel- Puerto Asís (Putumayo), who, being
of sound mind and legal capacity declares the following under oath: My
name is as stated, I am a resident of San Miguel (Putumayo), civil status:
married to Mrs. [REDACTED]. I have seven children.- My profession or

office: farmer.- Domiciled in and resident of the San Marcelino
Reservation- Municipality of San Miguel (Putumayo).- The object of my
declaration is the following:

1.- I have no impediments to give this declaration.

2.- Under Oath, I hereby declare that: My name is [REDACTED], my
identification card number is [REDACTED] from San Miguel, Putumayo.

I belong to the Kichwa people and I live on the San Marcelino
Reservation, located in the municipality of San Miguel, a few meters from
the San Miguel River, which forms the border with Ecuador. Currently
this Reservation is composed of 110 families, for a total of 480 people in

my town.

3.- I was governor of this Reservation during the period from 17 July

2002 to December of 2003. During this time, we were sprayed three
times, in the summer.

4.- In December of 2002, I was in my house when I heard the noise of the

planes passing over the house. I approached the window and saw that
they were dumping a white smoke onto us. It is like oil where it leaves a
stain, a grease on the leaves of the plants. They passed over my house
twice, and then left.ANNEX 231

5.- My children drank water from the 2,000 liter collection tank, which I

was unable to cover to prevent the poison from falling in. They also
swam in the stream that I have next to my house where the poison also fell.

6.- As a result of this spraying, my children got sick. I have seven

children in total, it gave them all diarrhea, vomiting and bumps on their
skin. My wife got sick with a headache and stomachache. To cure
ourselves, we used medicinal plants from the jungle.

7.- In 2002, 105 families lived on the Reservation. We had maize,
plantain, and yucca crops. The spraying ruined these crops, especially the
maize, which could not even be used for seed, and we could not replant
where they had sprayed. From the maize we make chicha, which is a very

important drink to our culture, as we use it in our rites and ceremonies.
The Plantain was also severely affected, after the sprayings, we could see
the leaves, but no fruit grew, and the few which did grow turned yellow
before the harvest time.

8.- During that spraying in 2002, as the governor it was my job to attend
to the case of a child of Mr. [REDACTED] who became ill and died: the
child drank water from the house collection tank, it gave him diarrhea and

made him vomit, and we could not reach or take him to a hospital. He
died right where he was.

9.- I was also affected by the sprayings in January of 2002. I had a small

farm of approximately one hectare on the Ecuadorian side, which I
purchased in 2001 in the sector known as Santa Marianita. I planted 470
rows of plantain there, the investment in which cost me two million pesos.
In January of 2002, they sprayed the San Marcelino Reservation again,

and the breeze brought it to my plot on the Ecuadorian side. I lost my
entire plantain crop, as the ones which were on the verge of harvest turned
black, and others stopped growing and turned rotten. I also observed the
same thing happening to my Ecuadorian neighbors, who lost all of their

maize in this spraying.

Continued.-

I make this statement for those legal ends which may be deemed
advisable.- That is all, Mr. Notary.- The undersigned Notary Advised the
interested party that declarations ARE NOT required for recognition of an
individual and concrete right by the public administration, according to ANNEX 231

Art. 25 of Law 962 of 2005. – This declaration is authorized at the request

of the interested party.-

Notice: Declarant, please read and review carefully your declaration
before affixing your signature and fingerprint. Once authorized by the

Notary Public, NO claims, changes or corrections are accepted.
Not having any other motive for this proceeding, it is complete and signed
by those who participated in its execution, once read and approved. Fees
9,150 [pesos]- R. 9500 / 2008. VAT 1,464 [pesos]-. L633/00.- TOTAL

10,614 [pesos].

[fingerprint]

DECLARANT [signature] Right index
Fingerprint

[signature]

ARMANDO RAMIRO HERNANDEZ ZAMBRANO
SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC.- P.C. 49016 Higher Judicial Council
[Notary Seal]
[stamp]ANNEX 231ANNEX 231ANNEX 231 ANNEX 232

Declaration of Colombia Witness 9, 5 Mar. 2009 ANNEX 232

[Notary Seal]
REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA
PROVINCE OF PUTUMAYO
SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC OF VALLE DEL GUAMUEZ -

LA HORMIGA

DECLARATION.- DECREES: 1557 AND 2282 OF 1989.- In La
Hormiga, Valle del Guamuez Municipality, Province of Putumayo,
Republic of Colombia, on the fifth (05t) day of the month of March of

two-thousand and nine (2009), before ARMANDO RAMIRO
HERNANDEZ ZAMBRANO, Sole Notary Public of the Circuit of Valle
del Guamuez, [REDACTED] appeared, identified with citizenship card
number [REDACTED] issued in Valle del Guamuez (P.), who, being of

sound mind and legal capacity declares the following under oath: My
name is as stated, I am a resident of Valle del Guamuez (P.), civil status:
free union with Mr. [REDACTED], without children.- My profession or
occupation: teacher.- Domiciled in and resident of the Metropolitan

District of the city of La Dorada /San Miguel (P.).- The object of my
declaration is the following:

1.- I have no impediment to give this declaration.

2.- Under oath I hereby declare that: My name is [REDACTED],
identified by citizenship card No. [REDACTED] from Valle del Guamuez.
I am 25 years old and have been a teacher at Centro Etnoeducativo San

Marcelino for eight years. The San Marcelino school district has 150
students from preschool to seventh grade. I currently teach fourth grade.

3.- During the spraying in 2002, the planes passed over the school and the

breeze carried the poison towards us, it looked like a cloud that fell slowly
and landed on the leaves of the plants, which took on an oily shine. The
children were in class, inside the school. At that time I was in charge of

15 preschool children. Once they heard the planes they ran outside to see
them. I stopped the children under my care, but those in the other grades
went outside, and the poison fell on them. After that, they were all sent
home.

4.- Poison fell on the school, the playing fields, and the garden, which we
could not recover; nothing grew, the plantains turned spotted, and whenANNEX 232

peeled showed black dots inside. The area around the school turned dry
and yellow.

5.- During the following week, many children missed school. The
children in my care became ill, for example, with diarrhea and fevers, and
it seemed like they had drunk poisoned water. The other children, those

who were openly exposed to the poison, initially suffered from headaches,
and later rashes and skin bumps began to appear all over their bodies.
They scratched a lot, so much that they gave themselves sores from so
much scratching. We knew at the time of the case of one dead child, who

according to his father drank poisoned water. He was the son of Mr.
[REDACTED].

6.- In the long term, the sprayings caused a desertion of the school. The

parents no longer knew how to live, nor how to feed their children,
because the plantain and yucca crops were sprayed. Many parents were
forced to move elsewhere. In that year, 2002, of the 90 children enrolled
at the beginning of the year, we finished with only 35 students.

I make this statement for those legal ends which may be deemed
advisable.- That is all, Mr. Notary.- The undersigned Notary Advised the
interested party that declarations ARE NOT required for recognition of an

individual and concrete right by the public administration, according to
Art. 25 of Law 962 of 2005. – This declaration is authorized at the request
of the interested party.-

Notice: Declarant, please read and review carefully your declaration
before affixing your signature and fingerprint. Once authorized by the
Notary Public, NO claims, changes or corrections are accepted.
Not having any other motive for this proceeding, it is complete and signed

by those who participated in its execution, once read and approved. Fees
9,150 [pesos]- R. 9500 / 2008. VAT 1,464 [pesos]-. L633/00.- TOTAL
10,614 [pesos].
[fingerprint]

DECLARANT [signature] Right index
Fingerprint

[signature]

ARMANDO RAMIRO HERNANDEZ ZAMBRANO
SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC.- P.C. 49016 Higher Judicial Council
[Notary Seal]
[stamp]ANNEX 232ANNEX 232ANNEX 232 ANNEX 233

Declaration of Colombia Witness 10, 5 Mar. 2009 ANNEX 233

[Notary Seal]

REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA
PROVINCE OF PUTUMAYO
SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC OF VALLE DEL GUAMEZ

LA HORMIGA

DECLARATION- .- DECREES: 1557 AND 2282 OF 1989.- In La
Hormiga, Valle del Guamez Municipality, Province of Putumayo,
Republic of Colombia, on the fourth (04) day of the month of March of
two-thousand and nine (2009), before ARMANDO RAMIRO

HERNANDEZ ZAMBRANO, Sole Notary Public of the Circuit of Valle
del Guamuez, [REDACTED] appeared, identified with citizenship card
number [REDACTED] issued in Puerto Asís (Putumayo), and who, being
of sound mind and legal capacity declares the following under oath: My

name is as stated, I am a resident of Puerto Asís (Putumayo), civil status:
married to Mrs. [REDACTED]. I have six children.- My profession or
office: Traditional Authority.- Domiciled in and resident of the Afilador-
Campo Alegre Reserve- Municipality of San Miguel (Putumayo).- The

object of my declaration is the following:

1.- I have no impediment to give this declaration.

2.- Under Oath, I hereby declare that: My name is [REDACTED],
identified by citizenship card No. [REDACTED] from Puerto Asís,
Putumayo. I am a spiritual authority of the Cofán people, Taita, and I live
on the Reservation called El Afilador-Campo Alegre, very close to the

Colombian-Ecuadorian border. The Reservation is a sacred land for the
Cofán indigenous peoples. Forty of us live there, and in this place we
have our jungle, our grazing lands, animals and our sacred plants.

3.- Between 2002 and 2003, they sprayed us three times; these sprayings
eliminated our food supply, plantain, yucca, maize, and Yague, our
medicinal plant. My community became ill with colds, loose stool or
diarrhea, and vomiting. It made the children vomit, have diarrhea and a

rash, and bumps broke out all over their bodies. They got infections on
their lips. With traditional medicines we cured some, but others had to
leave the town to go to the La Dorada Hospital to seek a cure. This health
center is approximately three hours away, two on foot and one on an open

highway. My wife was also made sick by the sprayings in 2002. TheyANNEX 233

made her vomit and have diarrhea. I thought she was going to die, but I
cured her with traditional medicinal plants.

4.- The spray fell into the water and on the trees and poisoned them. The
trees dried up, rotted, and finally fell. This happened to both thyarumo
and the palm. The medicinal plants we use burned and died, and we had

to go very far away, where they had not sprayed, to find plants and make
our medicine, which is the soul of our community.

5.- During the spraying of 2002, the plane passed over where the settlers

had coca, and the breeze carried the poison to us, and it affected us. Now
we cannot drink the water from the tap in Afilador. It is contaminated.
The fish died and no longer appear, and we are looking for a new source
of water.

I make this statement for those legal ends which may be deemed
advisable.- That is all, Mr. Notary.- The undersigned Notary Advised the

interested party that declarations ARE NOT required for recognition of an
individual and concrete right by the public administration, according to
Art. 25 of Law 962 of 2005. – This declaration is authorized at the request
of the interested party.-

Notice: Declarant, please read and review carefully your declaration
before affixing your signature and fingerprint. Once authorized by the
Notary Public, NO claims, changes or corrections are accepted.

Not having any other motive for this proceeding, it is complete and signed
by those who participated in its execution, once read and approved. Fees
9,150 [pesos]- R. 9500 / 2008. VAT 1,464 [pesos]-. L633/00.- TOTAL
10,614 [pesos].

[fingerprint]
DECLARANT [signature] Right index
Fingerprint

[signature]
ARMANDO RAMIRO HERNANDEZ ZAMBRANO
SOLE NOTARY PUBLIC.- P.C. 49016 Higher Judicial Council

[Notary Seal]
[stamp]ANNEX 233ANNEX 233ANNEX 233 ANNEX 234

National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC),
Data on Running Water (2001) ANNEX 234

Cross-tabulation

04 CARCHI

Categories Cases % Accumulated
Public system 30,090 83.13 83.13

Well 738 2.04 85.16
River, irrigation channel, 4,770 13.18 98.34
etc
Delivery truck 163 0.45 98.79

Other 437 1.21 100.00
Total 36,198 100.00 100.00

NSA: 7,396

SUMMARY

Categories Cases % Accumulated
Public system 30,090 83.13 83.13
Well 738 2.04 85.16
River, irrigation channel, 4,770 13.18 98.34

etc
Delivery truck 163 0.45 98.79
Other 437 1.21 100.00
Total 36,198 100.00 100.00

NSA: 7,396

Processed by Redatam+SP
Cepal / Celade 2002 – 2008

Generated by Redatam WebServerANNEX 234

Cross-tabulation

08 ESMERALDAS

Categories Cases % Accumulated
Public system 44,123 52.37 52.37
Well 14,688 17.43 69.81

River, irrigation channel, etc 18,643 22.13 91.93
Delivery truck 4,378 5.20 97.13
Other 2,417 2.87 100.00
Total 84,249 100.00 100.00

NSA: 16,371

SUMMARY

Categories Cases%cumulated
Public system 44,123 52.37 52.37
Well 14,688 17.43 69.81

River, irrigation channel, etc 18,643 22.13 91.93
Delivery truck 4,378 5.20 97.13
Other 2,417 2.87 100.00
Total 84,249 100.00 100.00

NSA: 16,371

Processed by Redatam+SP
Cepal / Celade 2002 – 2008

Generated by Redatam WebServer ANNEX 234

Cross-tabulation

21 SUCUMBÍOS

Categories Cases % %Accumulated
Public system 7,181 26.00 26.00
Well 12,883 46.65 72.65

River, irrigation channel, etc 5,169 18.72 91.37
Delivery truck 356 1.29 92.66
Other 2,027 7.34 100.00
Total 27,616 100.00 100.00

NSA: 7,142

SUMMARY

Categories Caseccumulated
Public system 7,181 26.00 26.00
Well 12,883 46.65 72.65

River, irrigation channel, etc 5,169 18.72 91.37
Delivery truck 356 1.29 92.66
Other 2,027 7.34 100.00
Total 27,616 100.00 100.00

NSA: 7,142

Processed by Redatam+SP
Cepal / Celade 2002 – 2008

Generated by Redatam WebServer ANNEX 234

Cruces de variables

04 CARCHI

Categorías Casos % Acumulado %

Red Publica 30.090 83,13 83,13
Pozo 738 2,04 85,16

Rio, acequia, etc 4.770 13,18 98,34
Carro repartidor 163 0,45 98,79

Otro 437 1,21 100,00
Total 36.198 100,00 100,00

NSA : 7.396

RESUMEN

Categorías Casos % Acumulado %
Red Publica 30.090 83,13 83,13

Pozo 738 2,04 85,16
Rio, acequia, etc 4.770 13,18 98,34

Carro repartidor 163 0,45 98,79
Otro 437 1,21 100,00

Total 36.198 100,00 100,00

NSA : 7.396
Procesado con Redatam+SP

Cepal/Celade 2002-2008

Generado con Redatam WebServer.ANNEX 234

Cruces de variables

08 ESMERALDAS

Categorías Casos % Acumulado %

Red Publica 44.123 52,37 52,37
Pozo 14.688 17,43 69,81

Rio, acequia, etc 18.643 22,13 91,93
Carro repartidor 4.378 5,20 97,13

Otro 2.417 2,87 100,00
Total 84.249 100,00 100,00

NSA : 16.371

RESUMEN

Categorías Casos % Acumulado %
Red Publica 44.123 52,37 52,37

Pozo 14.688 17,43 69,81
Rio, acequia, etc 18.643 22,13 91,93

Carro repartidor 4.378 5,20 97,13
Otro 2.417 2,87 100,00

Total 84.249 100,00 100,00

NSA : 16.371
Procesado con Redatam+SP

Cepal/Celade 2002-2008

Generado con Redatam WebServer. ANNEX 234

Cruces de variables

21 SUCUMBIOS

Categorías Casos % Acumulado %

Red Publica 7.181 26,00 26,00
Pozo 12.883 46,65 72,65

Rio, acequia, etc 5.169 18,72 91,37
Carro repartidor 356 1,29 92,66

Otro 2.027 7,34 100,00
Total 27.616 100,00 100,00

NSA : 7.142

RESUMEN

Categorías Casos % Acumulado %
Red Publica 7.181 26,00 26,00

Pozo 12.883 46,65 72,65
Rio, acequia, etc 5.169 18,72 91,37

Carro repartidor 356 1,29 92,66
Otro 2.027 7,34 100,00

Total 27.616 100,00 100,00

NSA : 7.142
Procesado con Redatam+SP

Cepal/Celade 2002-2008

Generado con Redatam WebServer. ANNEX 235

National Government of the Republic of Ecuador,
“Plan Ecuador,” Section 3, Table 2 (citing INEC, ENEMDU 2005; Census of
Population and Housing 2001, ODNA) ANNEX 235

Chart 2
INDEX OF UNSATISFIED BASIC NEEDS
Northern People living on People living on
UBN
Border less than $2 less than $1
Province % % Index

Carchi 62.1 28 36.7732791
Esmeraldas 65.9 39.23.9332273

Imbabura 50.2 24.6 38.8201715
Orellana 54.8* 355.5423555

Sucumbíos 54.8* 35.5* 49.4390834

Source: INEC [Spanish acronym for National Institute of Statistics and
Censuses]; ENEMDU [Spanish acronym for National Employment Survey]
2005, Population and Housing Census 2001, ODNA, (*) Due to lack of
disaggregated information in the Amazon provinces, recorded data reflects

the region as a whole. ANNEX 235

REPÚBLICA DEL
ECUADOR

Inicio/Directorio/Contáctenos/Tratados/Enlaces

Enviar por correo Imprimir

PLAN ECUADOR

3. ESCENARIO DEL PLAN

El plan abarca la franja norte del país, que involucra a las provincias de Esmeraldas,

Carchi, Imbabura, Sucumbíos y Orellana. Este espacio fronterizo incorpora a una
variedad de ecosistemas que incluye al manglar, bosques primarios, páramo, selva y
otras reservas ecológicas, que merecen especial protección por parte del Estado y el

interés de la comunidad internacional.

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(593 2) 299-3284

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Presidencia
Ecuat. en el Exterior

Visite Ecuador

En un inicio, se dará principal atención a la población vulnerable particularmente de los
cantones fronterizos de San Lorenzo, Tulcán, Cascales, Sucumbíos, Lago Agrio y
Putumayo, por constituirse en las áreas más afectadas.

Situación demográfica

La población asentada en el área de influencia del Plan, que comprende 5 provincias y

31 cantones, asciende a 1.097.697 habitantes, de los cuales el 44% residen en la zona
urbana y 56% en la zona rural. Si se compara con la población total del país, representa
el 9%. En la zona de intervención el porcentaje de personas que viven con menos de dos
dólares al día se aproxima al 60 %.

Cuadro 1
POBLACION URBANA Y RURAL

PROVINCIA No. CANTONES POBLACION %

13,9RCH5I2.979
ESMERALDAS 3 585.223

SUCUMBIO1 S1,828.995
IMBABUR 31A,334.047

http://www.mmrree.gov.ec/mre/documentos/pol_internacional/plan_ecuador/… 235

ORELLAN 7,9 4.493
TOTAL REGIONAL 31 1.097.697 100
NACIONAL 219 12.156.608

Fuente: SIISE-INEC 2001

Cuadro 2

ÍNDICES DE NECESIDADES BÁSICAS
INSATISFECHAS
Personas que Personas que
Frontera viven con menos viven con menos NBI
Norte de $2 de $1

Provincia % % índice
Carchi 62,1 3268,7732791

Esmeraldas 65,9 39,243,9332273
Imbabura 50,2 2468,8201715
Orellana 54,8* 35,5*,5423555

Sucumbíos 54,8* 35,5*49,4390834

Fuente: INEC, ENEMDU 2005, INEC, CENSO DE POBLACION Y VIVIENDA 2001, ODNA, (*) Por
falta de información desagregada en las provincias amazónicas el dato registrado refleja a la región en su
conjunto

Aspecto etnográfico.-

La población indígena tiene una presencia importante en las cinco provincias de la
frontera norte. Imbabura es la que cuenta con mayor número de indígenas en su
territorio (1).

La etnia Awá-Coaquier es un pueblo binacional asentado en las zonas de bosque
subtropical del Suroccidente de Colombia yNoroccidente de Ecuador. Los Centros
Awá son poblados dispersos, que se ubican en las provincias de Carchi, Imbabura y
Esmeraldas (2). Existen altos índices de extrema pobreza y de necesidades básicas no
satisfechas. Y sus comunidades son las más afectadas por la dinámica del conflicto

colombiano. En Esmeraldas es relevante también la presencia del pueblo Chachi,
principalmente en las áreas del río Cayapas y Santiago.

En las provincias amazónicas del norte están los territorios y comunidades Kichwas,
Signas, Secoyas, Cofanes, Huaoranis y Shuar. Los grupos asentados en las riberas del
Putumayo tienen fuertes vínculos con las comunidades colombianas por redes de

parentesco y por la movilidad social resultante de continuas migraciones.

Las provincias con mayor población afrodescendiente son Esmeraldas (39,9%); Carchi
(5,4%); Sucumbíos (5,2%) e Imbabura (4,8%) (3). En el sector norte de la provincia de
Esmeraldas que comprende el cantón San Lorenzo, se encuentra la población más
afectada por la carencia de recursos y falta de oportunidades de inserción laboral.

Producción.-

Las actividades económicas de la región en gran parte son propias del sector rural:
agricultura de auto subsistencia, pesca artesanal, producción agrícola, comercio y

servicios. Adicionalmente, a nivel industrial, figura la producción textil y artesanal en la
provincia de Imbabura y, finalmente, la actividad turística. En la zona existe también

http://www.mmrree.gov.ec/mre/documentos/pol_internacional/plan_ecuador/… ANNEX 236

World Wildlife Fund,

“Letter from World Wildlife Fund Regarding Herbicide Spraying in Colombia”
(21 Nov. 2001) ANNEX 236

CIP Home Support our work
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Letter from World Wildlife Fund regarding herbicide spraying in Colombia,
November 21, 2001

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http://www.ciponline.org/colombia/112101.htmrlANNEX 236

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http://www.ciponline.org/colombia/112101.htmrl ANNEX 236

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http://www.ciponline.org/colombia/112101.htmrlANNEX 236

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Center for International Policy
1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Suite 801
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 232-3317 / fax (202) 232-3440
[email protected]

http://www.ciponline.org/colombia/112101.htmrl ANNEX 237

Letter from Victor Mestanza to Roger Mera, Regional Chief Sucumbíos-Orellana,
Ministry of the Environment (14 Oct. 2002) ANNEX 237

Nueva Loja, 14 October 2002

Engineer
ROGER MERA
REGIONAL DIRECTOR, SUCUMBÍOS ORELLANA

Ministry of the Environment
Present

I, Victor Manuel Mestanza Llanos, bearer of identity card No. 170280129-
9, appeal to your Authority to state and request the following:

I am the owner of a small farm located in Puerto Mestanza, General Farfán

Parish, Lago Agrio Canton, province of Sucumbíos, in which I have planted
agricultural products for 20 years. Four years ago, I started a
comprehensive project for rearing pigs, ducks and fish. I have also opened
a factory for the preparation of brown sugar loaves and I have cultivated 8

hectares of brown sugarcane, 30 hectares of baby bananas [ orito] and short-
cycle crops such as maize, rice, etc. With great personal and financial
sacrifice, I have built 18 pools for breeding fish with a production of
approximately 120,000 fish, and, moreover, other structures such as water

inputs and outputs, hoses and pumps have been built for said project.

Because my project is a few meters from the San Miguel River which forms
the border with the neighboring Republic of Colombia, I have been directly
affected, like a large number of fellow farmers in the area, by the sprayings

conducted by the neighboring Country on the coca fields. In the
fumigations of November 2000, I lost 30,000 fish as a direct effect of the
chemical compound used in the fumigations, all dead, 4 hectares of plantain,
2 of yucca and farmyard animals. On the second occasion of the sprayings,

conducted in early January 2002, in which spraying planes flew for three
consecutively days over the pools, I was affected by the death of 60,000
fish, 10 hectares of maize and the partial death of 6 hectares of sugarcane,
and the total loss of the fruit of a citrus plantation. The third time, which

began in early September of this year, I had a huge financial loss, as I lost
400 ducks and 80,000 fish, the pigs were sick, and the humans fell ill with
itchiness, throat infections, diarrhea and headaches. The fourth time wasANNEX 237

Monday 7 thand Thursday 10 thof October of this year, when the spraying

planes flew over my property again. There is clear evidence of the death of
woodlands, orito and sugarcane; that is practically liquidating my project
and my finances, and, as a result, the source of employment for many people

in the area who work at my farm.

By virtue of the foregoing, I appeal to your Authority, as the Delegate of the
Ministry of the Environment in this Region, to present my complaint, as I

have done, with regard to the considerable environmental damages to the
fauna, biodiversity and the elements that are essential for our lives, such as
the soil and water, by the contamination arising from the chemicals used for

the sprayings and the biological elements described herein. Thus, I request
an inspection be made by experts from the Institution that you so rightly
chair so as to determine the real extent of the damages, quantify it and refer

it to the competent authorities in order that I may be compensated together
with the hundreds of fellow citizens, who, have settled on the banks of the
San Miguel River and have been directly affected.

I have already filed a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman. I have
enclosed herewith a copy of the proceedings by the Ombudsman.

Sincerely yours,

Víctor Mestanza Llanos
Card No. 170280129-9

[signature]ANNEX 237ANNEX 237 ANNEX 238

Colombian and Ecuadorian Ministries of Foreign Affairs,

Integration Zone for the Colombian-Ecuadorian Border: Binational
Characterization Study (Sep. 2003) ANNEX 238

COLOMBIAN-ECUADORIAN BORDER INTEGRATION ZONE

BINATIONAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY

SEPTEMBER 2003

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF COLOMBIA
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF ECUADOR

[…]

This study was undertaken by the Agency of Border Integration and
Development within the Ministry of Foreign Relations of the Republic of
Colombia and the General Agency of Border Issues within the Ministry of
Foreign Relations of the Republic of Ecuador, with technical support from

the Colombian National Planning Department –DNP- and the Technical
Unit for the Development of the Ecuadorian Border Region –UTEPA-
2003

[seal] [seal] [seal] [seal]
Liberty and National Min. F.A. UTEPA
Order Planning
Department

Republic of
Colombia

Responsible technician for Ecuador: Jacqueline Ulloa Quito- Tel: (593)
2561 010
Responsible technician for Colombia: Luz Elena Abello Bogota- Tel:
(571) 5625 898

[...]

2.2 ENVIRONMENT

In the Colombian part of the ZIF [Spanish acronym for Border Integration
Zone], more than 50% of the territory is covered by native forest, with aANNEX 238

large part of the remaining territory being highlands, urban settlements,
agriculture, pastures and protected natural areas. In the Andean and

Amazonian areas, the native forests have been exploited by the settling
population in the principal hydrographic basins.

On the Ecuadorian side, the ZIF is mostly covered by native forests, 40%

approximately, with the most heavily forested area being in Sucumbíos,
which is 61% covered with primary forests, followed by Esmeraldas with
41% and Carchi with 28%. The presence of cultivated pastures in
Sucumbíos is measured at 16%, and natural pastures account for barely

1%. In the province of Carchi, natural pastures reach 18% and cultivated
pastures 23%, while in Esmeraldas forest exploitation has permitted the
spread of cultivated pastures, which reach 33%, while natural pastures
account for 1%. In addition, and in a lesser proportion, 33% of the ZIF

territory is used for permanent and temporary crops, 3% for recreation,
and 1.3% is highland territory, which covers 9% of the province of Carchi.

2.2.1 WATER BASINS

Pacific AED

a) Mira-Mataje Binational Hydrographic Basin

This hydrographic basin is surrounded by the slopes in southeast
Colombia and northeast Ecuador, and is composed of the municipalities of
Cumbai, Mallama, Ricaurte, Barbacoas and Tumaco in the Nariño
Province (Colombia) and the provinces of Esmeraldas, Carchi and

Imbabura (Ecuador). This basin spans the entire area known as the
Choco-Biogeográfico. It runs from the high part of the eastern Andes to
the Pacific coast.

The basins of the Mataje River and the Mira River display special
characteristics, in that they are found in different geographic areas; the
basin of the Mataje is practically a small riparian basin, very rich in
biodiversity, where the predominant vegetation is mangrove and tropical

rainforest, while the basin of the Mira spans part of the tropical rainforest
and proceeds through a variety of climatic levels until reaching the
highland areas. Despite being two independent basins, due to the fact that
the in its high part the Mataje basin intersects with the Mira basin, they

almost form a single unit; and, based on the designation made by the
Ecuadorian-Colombian Neighbor Commission, it is called the Mira-
Mataje Binational Hydrographic Basin. ANNEX 238

Pacific AED
There are three principal national parks in the area of the Pacific in the

Nariño Province: Lower Mira, Patía River, and the Upper Telembí. On
the other side, there are 6 principal reserves, 4 in Ecuador and 2 in
Colombia:

a) Cayapas – Mataje Ecological Mangrove Reserve

This is located in the province of Esmeraldas. Its surface spans 51,300
hectares of tropical rainforest and mangrove forest. It is located in a

marine coastal area, with an abundance of fluvial-marine deposits. The
dominant vegetal formation is mangrove forest, and the most common
species include the Rhizophora mangle, Rhizophora harrisoni, Avicennia
germinans, Laguncularia racemosa, Conocarpus erectus, and Pelliciera

rhizophorae. Among the associated species are epiphytes such as the fern
Acrostichum aureum. Among the fauna are crustaceans and mollusks.
The most important species are the maho shell (Anadara crassum), blue
crab (Cardisoma crassum) and the red or guariche crabs (Cuides

occidentalis).

Fish are abundant and varied, being the dietary base for the local
populations. Among the reptiles are the nupa, the green iguana, piande

(Basiliscus sp.), caiman (Caiman crocodylus), and the coast crocodile
(Crocodylus acutus). Among the birds are the anihinga (Anhinga
anhinga), chilaco (Ardea cocoi), falsote (Tigrisoma fasciatum), muertero
(Cochlearius cochlearius). Among the mammals are: water foxes

(Chironectes minimus), anteaters (Tamandua Mexicana), balsa flowers
(Cuclopes didactylus), the crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) and
fishing bats (Noctilio loporinus).

b) Mache Chindul Ecological Reserve
This is located in the province of Esmeraldas. The reserve has three
bioclimatic zones. The first has moderate precipitation and the second has
strong precipitation.

c) Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve
This is located in the provinces of Esmeraldas and Imbabura. Its surface
spans 204,420 hectares. In the reserve, there are there points where

evidence of volcanic activity is obvious: the Yanahurco hill, the Cotacachi
hill, and the spectacular crater of the Cuicocha volcano. Among the flora
we find: grasses of the genii Senecio, Stipa, Calamagrostis and Festuca,
Chuquiraga insignis, Lupinus alopecuroides, Loricaria thuyoides, LuzulaANNEX 238

sp., Draba sp., Cerastium caespitosum, and Achemilla orbiculata; small
grasses of the genii Poa, Bromus and Agrostis; grasses of the genii
Festuca and Calamagrostis; various species of the genii Gentiana,
Azorella, Astralagus, Ephedra, and Scirpus. In terms of fauna, there are:

anteaters, deer, Pudus, rabbits, highland wolves, Gavilan, Curiquingue,
Condors, and Geranoaetus melanoleuus (buzzards), among others. There
are a number of lakes, especially in the high parts of Pinan and Cuicocha.

On the other hand, the El Colibri Aril Society reserve (Nanmbi) and the
Planada National Private Reserve are located in Colombia.

Andean AED

In the Colombian Andean area the native forests have been overexploited
by the settling populations in the principal hydrographic basin,

contributing to a change in the use of the soil and forest to other uses
which are not environmentally sustainable. Despite the potential, the
areas of this region where products and sub-products are extracted from

the forests for commercial use are scarce.

In the Colombian part of this area, there are three national parks:
Bordoncillo – Patascoy National Park; Chiles and Cumbal Volcanoes

National Park; and San Miguel National Park. In addition, the municipal
natural reserve of the El Estero River is found in this area, as is the
National Reserve network of the Civil Society Reserve (located in the

municipality of Pasto in the village of El Encanto, which consists of 32
reserves and has an expanse of 1,925.6 hectares), and the Civil Society
Reserve of Los Guayacanes (located in the municipality of Imues, with 25
hectares declared as a reserve).

In addition, two sanctuaries are noted which are of great importance in the
Colombian region 13.

a) Galeras Flora and Fauna Sanctuary
The Galeras Volcano gives its name to this sanctuary located in the
municipality of Pasto, which extends 8,886 hectares, and has a

temperature which varies between 3°C and 15°C. The sanctuary is a
water producer which supplies the nearby populations and is a habitat
with a great variety of flora and fauna species. It is a high risk area due to
volcanic eruptions. The vegetation corresponds with the Andean forest

frequently clouded, though in some months it tends towards drought. The

13www.parquesnacionales.gov.co ANNEX 238

sanctuary also includes the communities of the highlands and sub-
highlands. It’s bird life is represented by cucaracheros and chiguacos.

Among the mammals are chuchas and anteaters. In addition, there are
more than 120 rivers, 4 lakes and innumerable small pools and waterfalls
(See Annex 5).

b) La Corota Island Floral Sanctuary
The village of Encano is the gateway to the Cocha Lake, one of the largest
bodies of water in the Andes. The Sanctuary is found in this lake and has
an expanse of 8 hectares, temperatures between 3°C and 15°C, and is

under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Pasto. The sanctuary is a
small paradise of cloud forest where flora and fauna species of great
importance are preserved. The island includes plants such as the sweet
motilon, majua oak, arrayan, anturios, rubber trees, sietecueros, orchids

and ferns (see Annex 6).

Sanctuaries such as the Wildlife Sanctuary of the Pasto River Canyon and
other highlands of significant importance should be noted. In addition,

the National Institute of Renewable Natural Resources and the
Environment (INDERENA), declared a part of the Nariño Province to be
a Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, which spans 7,615 hectares and is located
within the municipalities of Pasto, La Florida, Sandoná, Consacá,

Yacuanquer, and Tangua.

On the other hand, on the Ecuadorian side are:

c) El Angel Ecological Reserve
This is located in the interior of the province of Carchi. It spans 15,715
hectares of sub-Alpine pluvial forest; the Montano Bajo rainforest; and the
Montano rainforest. It is considered the sponge which supplies the entire

province with water. Among the flora we find: Espeletia hartwegiana
(frailejón), which dominates 85% of the highlands, grasses of the genii
Senecio, Stipa, Calamagrostis and Festuca, Lupinus alopecuroides,
Loricaria thuyoides, Luzula sp., Draba sp., Cerstium caespitosum, and

Achemillia orbiculata. Among the fauna we find: Odcoileus virginanus
(deer), Pudu pehistophiles (pudu), Sylvilagus brasileris (rabbit), Dusicyon
culpaeus (highland wolf), Buteo polyosoma (sparrow hawk),
Phalcoboenus carunculatus (falcon), etc.

d) Awa Ethnic and Forest Reserve
This constitutes a tropical rainforest, and is full of vegetation; giant ferns,
vines, and epiphytes. It is an extension of the Colombian area of Chocó.ANNEX 238

This area has been considered a reserve and conservation site because of
its great biodiversity, and it is also the habitat of the Awá indigenous

community which has succeeded in maintaining its identity in the area.
The government has assigned them 101,000 hectares and has entrusted
them with the conservation and replacement of the existing natural
resources, which is currently administrated by the Federation of Awá

Centres – FCA.

Amazonian AED
This area is known for its great natural variety and richness. Due to the

presence of jungle ecosystems, the Amazonian AED is characterized by
the presence of innumerable flora and fauna species, which has generated
the need to take steps towards its conservation. For this reason, the region
is one of the areas with the greatest quantity of Natural Protected Areas.

The following natural protected areas are located in Colombia:

a) La Paya National Natural Park

Situated in one of the areas of greatest faunal diversity in the world, in the
middle of the tropical jungle of lower Putumayo, La Paya National Park is
an immense expanse of jungles, valzeas and an intricate network of rivers

which support a great quantity of species, both flora and fauna, in addition
to being the habitation place of no less than 10 indigenous groups. Its
forests extend the length of a long expanse of the Caquetá and Putumayo
Rivers.

Located within the jurisdiction of the municipality of Puerto Leguizamo,
it includes 422,000 hectares of a unique spectacle where tourists can
observe the black caiman or the fearsome anaconda of almost 10 metres,

the butterfly tiger or the fishing eagle, a faithful representation of
Colombian biodiversity. La Apaya lake on the Putumayo spans an
expanse of approximately 3,000 hectares. Disrupted zones are also found,
where hunger caused the undertaking of subsistence agriculture, the

extraction of wood and the raising of livestock. In addition, La Paya is a
breeding ground for birds such as the marten, parakeet, and the
mirapacielo (See Annex 7).

The Putumayo province is known for its great natural and cultural variety
and richness. However, the general conditions of the regional productive
base, which is principally characterized by deforestation for the sowing of
subsistence crops and later by the intensive implantation of livestock, ANNEX 238

constitutes a radical transformation of the dynamics of the area and the
natural support systems.

On the other side, Ecuador has 4 principal reserves (See Annex No. 8):

b) Cuyabeno Faunal Production Reserve

Situated in the provinces of Sucumbios and Napo, extending 603,380
hectares, this area contains a tropical rainforest, dominated by marshes,
rivers and lakes, which has permitted the development of an exuberant
and varied vegetation, including flora such as: forest species, palms,

orchids and bromeliad, cedars (Cedela fissilis), palms (Astrocaryum sp.),
guava (Inga sp.) and coconut trees (Mauritia flexuosa). Its fauna,
considered rich and abundant, includes species such as: the black caiman
(Melanosuchus Niger), armadillo (Dasypus novemoinctus), the guatusa

(Dasyprocta sp.), howler monkey (Alouatta seniculus) and the colored
macaw (Ara macao).

The soil is entirely the product of the movement of materials from the

Andes by river flows, with a very thin layer of topsoil, especially in well-
drained areas, which is why the soils of the reserve are described as poor
and of no agricultural use. Within the hydrographic system, the principal
effluent is the Cuyabeno River and its tributaries, and in the middle course

of the river there is a lake system formed by 14 lakes interconnected by
canals and rivers.

Colonization accelerates the process of the destruction of resources,

driven principally by the opening of highways under the charge of
petroleum companies. In addition, settlers have transformed the forest by
designating it for other uses, such as for pastures or fields and human
settlements, which currently cover the northwest part of the Reserve,

exercising a negative influence on the ancestral lands in terms of the
maintenance of resources on the part of indigenous cultures, and
degrading the natural environment with unpredictable consequences.

c) Limoncocha Biological Reserve
Located in the Sushufindi district of the province of Sucumbios, this
reserve covers an area of 4,613 hectares, and is composed of tropical
rainforest. In terms of flora, it has: wild sugar cane (Gynerium

saggitatum), ceibo (Ceiba pentandra), higuerón (Coussapoa trinervia),
sangre de drago (Crotón sp.), chonta (Bactris sp.) and the phytoplankton
typical of eutrophic lakes. In terms of fauna, 464 different species of
tropical birds have been recorded, along with several types of amphibian.ANNEX 238

There are caimans, boas and sweet water dolphins, as well as land boas
(boa constrictors), white-breasted tucans (Raphastos cuvieri), venomous
frogs and (Dendrobate sp.) perezoso (Bradypus sp.), among others. The
Limoncocha Lake is of fluvial origin, with the Napo River is its principal

effluent. Its surface is 370 hectares, in which various small islands appear
in the dry season.

On the other hand, the reserve has a great percentage of primary forest
which demonstrates highly variable conditions in terms of its drainage,
with areas which are temporarily flooded; however, one of the principal
threats to the natural resources of the area is the indiscriminate cutting of

trees for the construction of houses and the existence of the border
populations very close by. Also, the construction of the Limonchocha –
Jivino highway has added to the colonization in an alarming manner. In
addition, exploratory activities carried out by the petroleum companies

have destroyed the vegetation and have scared off the birds and land
animals. The exploratory phase within the area, which is the exclusive
responsibility of the petroleum company, has intensified, thus the surface

area of the reserve is small. There are currently six exploratory wells, one
of which is 25 or 30 metres from the lake. The lake is being affected by
other factors which cause its eutrophication: garbage from the community,
poor management of tourism and the uncontrolled reproduction of

lechuguines in their waters, and the decrease in the manatee population.

d) Cayambe – Coca Ecological Reserve 14

This reserve extends into parts of the provinces of Imbabura, Pichincha,
Napo and Sucumbios. The reserve area is 403,103 hectares at an altitude
varying between 800 and 5,900 msnm [metres above sea level]. It has
attractions such as the snow-capped Cayambe, the active Reventador

Volcano, and 81 lakes, among which the Papallacta, San Marcos,
Puruanta, Sucos, Loreto and Boyeros are the most important.

The reserve has eight zones of life: i) Tropical Rainforest located between

the Due and Aguarico Rivers, a flat area with varied flora and few
herbaceous species; ii) Subtropical Rainforest, constituting an area close
to the foothills of the Andes and the slopes of the Reventador Volcano;

this is an area poorly suited to agriculture, however, the forest has guava,
matapalo, lechosa, wild avocado, guarumo and other fruits, iii) Very
Rainy Subtropical Forest, which is found on the upper course of the
Quijos River. Its soil is used for agriculture, but little can grow due to the

presence of pests; the typical flora are canelo and matapalo; iv) Very

14ECORAE, Sustainable Development Plan for the Province of Sucumbios, 2000 ANNEX 238

Rainy Mountainous-Low Forest, which occupies a very small area in the
southern part of the reserve, from the Cuyuja habitation to the beginning

of the Cascabel River, with very hilly terrain and steep slopes that cause
landslides; v) Mountainous-Low Rainforest, which is found along a strip
of the outer flanks of the Eastern Andes, between 2,000 and 3,000 msnm.
The most common species in this area are the cascarilla, romerillo,

coquito de montaña , cedar, duco, malva and arrayán; vi) Mountainous
Very Rainy Forest, which reaches 3,570 meters above sea level and is
called the “Andean brow”, or sub-highlands. It is here that we find El
Tambo and Lake Papallacta. Due to the low temperatures, trees do not

develop well; vii) Highland Area, situated at 4,000 msnm., as is the case
in the most elevated parts of Cayambe, El Puntas and El Saraurco, with
scarce flora.

e) Private Reserves
There are several reserves which are private property and are used for
ecotourism:

x La Selva Lodge: This is located in Sucumbios and is administrated
by the La Selva Hotel. In this protected area, tourists have at their
disposal: a restaurant, paths and specialized guides. It is
surrounded by tropical rainforest and lakes. Excursions by canoe

are made on the lower Napo.

x Amazon Jungle Resort: This is a reserve of 100 hectares, located

in Sucumbios and administrated by Samoa Tourism. It is a
tropical rainforest with rivers with sandy beaches and flora and
fauna belonging to the Ecuadorian Amazon.

x Cuyabeno Biological Station: Administrated by the Catholic
University of Quito, this is a biological station situated within the
Cuyabeno reserve.

x Cuyabeno Jungle Shelters (Cuyabeno Wildlife Refuge): Composed
of 53 hectares and administrated by New World Expeditions. It is
found in the peripheral zone of the Cuyabeno Reserve. It has 10
cabanas for visitors. They offer excursions through the area with

professional guides.

x Protected Forests: in addition, Ecuador has 468,176.57 hectares of
protected forests within the ZIF (See Annex No. 9).ANNEX 238ANNEX 238ANNEX 238ANNEX 238ANNEX 238ANNEX 238ANNEX 238ANNEX 238ANNEX 238 ANNEX 239

Consuelo Ahumado Beltrán and Alvaro Moreno Durán, "Priorities of the New

World Order and Forced Displacement of Colombians towards Ecuador,"
Cadernos PROLAM/USP, Year 3, Vol. 1 (2004) ANNEX 239

Priorities of the New World Order and
Forced Displacement of
Colombians to Ecuador

Consuelo Ahumada Beltrán
Alvaro Moreno Durán

[...]

[PAGE 47]

A. Plan Colombia and the fumigation of illicit crops

One of the most questioned aspects of Plan Colombia has been its
antinarcotics strategy, centered on the aerial fumigation of illicit crops.
The grave effects that it causes to the conditions of life and health of the

population, the destruction of the environment, (page 47] of subsistence
crops and water sources, have been the object of permanent complaint at
the international level. Its harmful impact on the social conditions of the
region must also be mentioned, as is evident in the increase in the forced

displacement of entire families into neighboring countries, but especially
into Ecuador. According to the calculations of the approved Plan
Colombia document, nearly 400 thousand people were forced to leave, for

which a social investment resource was provided with the aim of
providing attention to the camps for affected families.

[…]

[PAGE 54]

The increase in the number of displaced Colombians in Ecuador over the

last three years has been noted. According to José Euceda, the UNHCR
representative in the country, 51,000 Colombians were recorded in the
2001 census 1. Between 2000 and mid-2003, Ecuador received 16,100

refugee applications from Colombians. Data from this entity indicate that
the requests increased by 50 percent between August and September of
2002, coming from the aforementioned Colombian provinces. The
increase is the result of the intensification of the fumigation of crops in the

south of Colombia and the worsening of the conflicts between the Army

18Personal Interview with José Euceda, Quito, 4 April 2003ANNEX 239

and armed groups. According to different sources, among them, some
campesino leaders of said provinces, many of the farm workers flee to
Ecuador due to the sprayings and the damages they have caused to the
19
health of the population, to animals, and to licit crops .

[…]

19“Refugee Request Record for October,” Diario Norte, 14 October, 2002. p. 31; La
Hora, 15 May 2003. ANNEX 239

Prioridades del Nuevo Orden Mundial y Desplazamiento Forzado de Colombianos hacia Ecuador

Prioridades del Nuevo Orden Mundial y

Desplazamiento Forzado de
*
Colombianos hacia Ecuador

Consuelo Ahumada Beltrán **
***
Alvaro Moreno Durán

Resumo: O deslocamento transfronteiriço dos colombianos para os países andinos é o resultado da exacer-

bação dos fatores da violência e da deterioração das condições econômicas e sociais resultantes das prioridades
da nova ordem mundial: a luta contra o narcotráfico, as políticas de liberalização econômica e comercial e “a
cruzadamundial”contraoterrorismo.OartigoanalisaodeslocamentodoscolombianosparaafronteiraColombo-
Equatoriana, especificamente até os Sucumbíos, por ser a província principal de recepção dos deslocados do sul

do país, e por considerar-se esta fronteira como uma das mais vulneráveis da Colômbia.

Palavras-Chave: Colômbia, Plano Colômbia, Iniciativa Regional Andina, Fronteira Colômbia/Equador,
Deslocamento Populacional.

Resumen: El desplazamiento transfronterizo de colombianos hacia los países andinos es el resultado de la

exacerbación de los factores de violencia y del deterioro de las condiciones económicas y sociales resultantes de
las prioridades del Nuevo Orden Mundial: la lucha contra el narcotráfico, las políticas de liberalización econó-
mica y comercial, y la cruzada mundial contra el terrorismo. En este artículo se analiza el desplazamiento de
colombianos hacia la frontera colombo-ecuatoriana, específicamente hacia Sucumbíos, por ser la provincia

principal de recepción de los desplazados del sur del país, y por considerarse dicha frontera como una de las dos
más vulnerables de Colombia.

Palabras-clave: Colombia, Plan Colombia, Iniciativa Regional Andina, Frontera Colombia/Ecuador,

Desplazamiento poblacional.

*
Este artículo es una síntesis de una investigación titulada: “El desplazamiento forzado de colombianos y su
impactosobrelaregiónandinaenelcontextodelNuevoOrdenMundial:elcasodeSucumbíos,Ecuador”,queestá
en proceso de publicación
**
Doctora en Ciencia Política de la New York University. Profesora titular de la Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y
Relaciones InternacionaIes de la Universidad Javeriana. E-mail: [email protected].
**Candidato a Doctor en Políticas Sociales y Modos de Vida de la Universidad de París. Profesor de la FacuItad

de Ciencias SociaIes y Humanas de la Universidad Externado de Colombia.

37ANNEX 239

Consuelo Ahumada Beltrán e Alvaro Moreno – Cadernos PROLAM/USP(ano 3 - vol. 1 - 2004), p. 37-66

como en los últimos tiempos dichos cambios y políticas han afectado los procesos políti-
cos, económicos, sociales y culturales de los países de la región y sus fronteras. Este

enfoque integral pretende superar las limitaciones de los enfoques anteriormente descri-
tos, que, en términos generales, no abordan el fenómeno del desplazamiento forzado en

dicho marco internacional.

II. La estrategia del Nuevo Orden Mundial: del Plan Colombia a la

Iniciativa Regional Andina

Tanto por su procedencia como por sus objetivos, el Plan Colombia ha despertado
una fuerte controversia nacional e internacional a partir del momento en que se anunció,

a mediados de 1999, y se presentó al Congreso de los Estados Unidos para su aproba-
ción en octubre del mismo año. Dos posiciones opuestas se han expresado frente a esta

estrategia norteamericana. La primera, por parte de sus defensores, los gobiernos de los
dos países, que insisten en presentarlo como un “Plan para la paz, la prosperidad y el

fortalecimiento del Estado”, y como una panacea para todos los males que afligen a la
nación. La segunda, encabezada por diversas organizaciones políticas y sociales, entre
ellas los sindicatos y numerosas ONG que se mueven en el ámbito internacional y

nacional, que han insistido en que el Plan Colombia no haría más que incentivar la guerra
y la crisis social debido a su carácter marcadamente militarista

Sin embargo, poca atención se ha prestado a los aspectos más preocupantes del Plan.
Hay que partir del hecho de que su versión definitiva fue elaborada a partir de las

apreciaciones de una comisión del gobierno norteamericano que estuvo dos meses en
Colombia, y fue discutido y aprobado en el Congreso de los Estados Unidos antes de que

se conociera siquiera en nuestro país. Ante el malestar expresado por varios sectores políticos
por tan anómala situación, en especial algunos congresistas del partido liberal, el gobierno

de Pastrana descalificó cualquier crítica con el argumento de que quien osara cuestionar el
Plan era un enemigo de la paz y de la inversión social (Acosta, 2001: 70-73).

A. EI Plan Colombia y la fumigación de cultivos ilícitos

Uno de los aspectos más cuestionados del Plan Colombia ha sido su estrategia
antinarcóticos, centrada en la fumigación aérea de cultivos ilícitos. Los graves efectos que

2Para conocer visiones en mayor o menor medida críticas sobre los distintos aspectos del Plan Colombia y de la

Iniciativa Regional Andina, ver los artículos de los libros: ÁLVAREZ, J. EI Plan Colombia:
Ensayos críticos, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 2001; IEPRI,EI Plan Colombia v la nternacionalización
del conflicto, Planeta, 2001; y ÁLVAREZ, J. E. (compilador), El Plan Colombia y la intensificación de la
guerra, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 2002.

46 ANNEX 239
Prioridades del Nuevo Orden Mundial y Desplazamiento Forzado de Colombianos hacia Ecuador

ello causa sobre las condiciones de vida y de salud de la población, la destrucción del
medio ambiente, de los cultivos de supervivencia y de las fuentes de agua, han sido

objeto de denuncia permanente a nivel internacional. Tampoco podría dejar de mencio-
narse su impacto nefasto sobre las condiciones sociales de la región, que se expresa en el

incremento del desplazamiento forzado de familias enteras hacia los países vecinos, pero
especialmente al Ecuador. Según cálculos del mismo documento aprobado del Plan

Colombia, cerca de 400 mil personas tendrían que salir forzosamente, por lo que se
asignó un recurso de inversión social con el fin de proveer atención en campamentos para

las familias afectadas.
De acuerdo con un informe del Comité de los Estados Unidos para los Refugiados

(USCR), una ONG estadounidense, en Colombia hay 2.45 millones de desplazados, de
los cuales el 47 por ciento son mujeres y niños, lo que convierte al país en el segundo del

mundo con la población más alta en desplazados internos, solamente después de Sudán.
EI informe responsabiliza al Plan Colombia por el desplazamiento de más de 36 mil
personas durante el 2001 y afirma que 42 pueblos fueron completamente abandonados

durante este periodo 3.
Sin duda, la fumigación aérea es una de las estrategias vitales del Plan Colombia. En

abril del 2002, altos funcionarios del Departamento de Estado anunciaron que su país
cancelaría los programas de sustitución de cultivos que venía financiando en Putumayo

y Caquetá. Este programa de desarrollo alternativo aparecía como uno de los ejes del Plan
Colombia, pero dos reportes oficiales de los Estados Unidos, uno de la GAO (Controladoría

General del Congreso) y otro del Departamento de Estado, habían advertido que el
programa no estaba funcionando (ARI, 2003: 10). Estas afirmaciones en torno al fracaso

de la erradicación manual permiten entender e1 énfasis fundamental que le están pro-
porcionando a la fumigación aérea. En este sentido, el Subsecretario de Asuntos

Antinarcóticos del Departamento de Estado norteamericano, Rand Beers, había afirma-
do tiempo atrás en forma tajante: “Intensificaremos las fumigaciones”, y agregó: “Sí,
4
vamos a fumigar todo el país para que la gente entienda que está corriendo un riesgo” .

B. EI giro hacia la cruzada antiterrorista

En enero de 2000, la llegada al poder de la Casa Blanca del grupo de “los halcones”,
representado por el sector más conservador del Partido Republicano, trajo un fortaleci-

3
Sudán y Colombia: 1-2 en desplazados”, E! Tiempo, 7 de junio de 2002, p.1-20.
4“Intensificaremos las fumigaciones”, El Tiempo, septiembre 1 de 2001, p.1-3.

47ANNEX 239
Consuelo Ahumada Beltrán e Alvaro Moreno D– Cadernos PROLAM/USP(ano 3 - vol. 1 - 2004), p. 37-66

Señalemos que las poblaciones colombianas y ecuatorianas de la frontera han tenido
una relación de vieja data, pues las migraciones de Colombia a Ecuador y viceversa son

tan antiguas como el comercio entre los dos países. En la provincia de Sucumbíos ha
habido desplazamientos de colombianos desde el decenio de los 50, por lo que se puede

creer que muchos de los actuales desplazados buscan refugio entre sus familiares. La
primera oleada importante de migración de colombianos se presentó en los anos 70, a

raíz de las actividades de producción y exportación de petróleo en Ecuador. Esto hizo
que cambiara la dinámica poblacional en Sucumbíos debido a los nuevos asentamientos

de migrantes colombianos. Una segunda oleada de migrantes provenientes del sur del
país se inició en 1998. Este grupo está conformado en su mayoría por población campe-

sina que sale debido a la difícil situación económica, el abandono del Estado, la presión
de los actores en conflicto y más recientemente por las fumigaciones.

El incremento del número de desplazados colombianos en el Ecuador durante los
últimos tres anos ha sido notorio. De acuerdo con José Euceda, representante de la
ACNUR en el país, en el censo del 2001 aparecieron registrados 51.000 colombianos 18.

Entre el 2000 y mediados del 2003, Ecuador ha recibido 16.100 solicitudes de refugio
de colombianos. Datos de esta entidad señalan que las solicitudes se incrementaron en

un 50 por ciento entre agosto y septiembre de 2002, provenientes de los departamentos
colombianos antes mencionados. EI incremento responde a la intensificación de las

fumigaciones de cultivos en el sur de Colombia, al recrudecimiento de los combates
entre el Ejército y a la acción de los grupos armados. De acuerdo con distintas fuentes,

entre ellas algunos líderes campesinos de tales departamentos, muchos de los labriegos
huyen hacia Ecuador debido a las aspersiones y a los daños que han provocado en la
19
salud de la población, los animales y los cultivos lícitos.
De la misma manera, para el ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Ecuador el

incremento del desplazamiento de colombianos es preocupante. Mientras que durante
la década del noventa hubo un promedio de 60 solicitudes de refugio por año, el

problema se agudizó en e12000, cuando de golpe se recibieron 413 solicitudes de
refugio, 323 de las cuales correspondían a colombianos (78.2 por ciento). En el 2002

hubo 6.270 solicitudes, de las cuales 6.244 (99.6 por ciento) correspondieron a colom-
bianos. La distribución de esta última cifra fue: 749 solicitudes en el primer trimestre,
1.462 en el segundo trimestre, 1.563 solicitudes en el tercer trimestre y 2.496 en el

cuarto. En el primer trimestre del 2003 se recibieron 5.142 solicitudes, un promedio

18
Entrevista personal con José Euceda, Quito, abril 4 de 2003
1“Record de pedidos de refugio en octubre”,Diario Norte, octubre 14 de 2002, p.31 ;La Hora, mayo 15 de 2003.

54 ANNEX 240

Richard E. Bilsborrow and CEPAR,

The Living Conditions of Refugees, Asylum-seekers and other Colombians in
Ecuador, Ecuador Country Report (Oct. 2006) ANNEX 240

THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF

REFUGEES, ASYLUMSEEKERS

AND OTHER COLOMBIANS
IN ECUADOR

MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS

AND COPING BEHAVIOUR

Richard E. Bilsborrow and CEPAR

Ecuador Country Report

October, 2006

Netherlands Interdisciplinary
Demographic Institute

Lange Houtstraat 19
2511 CV The Hague,
The Netherlands

http://www.nidi.knaw.nl/nl
Tel: +31 70 3565200

Fax: +31 70 3647187
E-mail:Richard_bilsborrow@u,c.edu
[email protected], [email protected] 240

6 Chapter 1

record from Colombia, called thepasado judicial, to enter Ecuador. Since this
document is not normally obtained and indeed is available only in certain major

cities not convenient to many potential emigrants, especially in southern
Colombia, most Colombians migrating to Ecuador do not have such a

document. This may lead to fear of being found out and deported, on the part of
all Colombians, except perhaps those already recognized officially as refugees
by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Refugees also have the legal

right to work, whereas asylum seekers do not, even though it make take up to a
year to process their claims, do not. Most evidently need to have some work to
support themselves and their families, working illegally and are likely concerned

about being detected and expelled. Even for refugees, many employers require a
work permit, but the high cost ($60) is a major obstacle to obtaining one. Hence,
even refugees are often subject to exploitation via low wages and poor working
2
conditions

Throughout this monograph, partly for ease of tabular presentation and to avoid
small numbers of cases, the results are generally presented for “refugees”, on the
one hand, and “non-refugees” or “other Colombian migrants/immigrants”, on

the other. The number of persons aged 15+ who were interviewed and declared
themselves to be refugees was 222, with another 162 saying they were asylum-
seekers and 61 that their request for asylum has been rejected. The total number

of persons combined is thus 443 in the category referred to here as refugees.
These three types are analyzed together in this monograph, despite their

differences. The number of “other Colombians” interviewed is 448, which is
referred to throughout this monograph interchangeably as non-refugees and
other Colombian migrants or immigrants.

In recent years, assistance has been provided to thousands of persons seeking
aid, but many more persons in need of help have not received it for various

reasons, including not knowing such assistance is available, thinking it is too
small and not worth the trouble to apply for, or fear of being found and deported

if they applied for it. At the same time, many Colombians coming to Ecuador in
recent years have not asked for assistance and did not come to Ecuadormainly
to flee from the violence on the other side of the long and porous border but

rather for economic or personal reasons, such as marriage.
The local office of UNHCR in Ecuador, referred to as ACNUR for its acronym
in Spanish, has been active in providing assistance to those in need, especially in

2 We are most grateful to UNHCR/Geneva for this information. ANNEX 240

Introduction 7

recent years and primarily Colombians. In its recently prepared operational plan

for 2007 and beyond (UNHCR, 2006), it notes that there could be as many as
450,000 Colombians in Ecuador and that those in need of international
protection and assistance could be as high as 250,000 (see Annex IV). It notes

that 36,665 persons were registered as asylum seekers between January 1, 2000
and December 31, 2005 (which coincides with the reference period of this
present study), with 11,492 recognized as refugees, 12,921 rejected by the

Government of Ecuador and 2,774 still being processed as of March, 2006 (p.
9). In 2005 about 600 persons arrived per month. The present survey found that
2005 was the year of heaviest in-migration of Colombians as well, both refugees

and others. The UNHCR report further states that “whilst the operation will
continue to focus on core protection activities for registered refugees and asylum
seekers in 2007, there will also be much effort to reach the unregistered

population…” (op. cit., pp. 1 andpassim). ACNUR has three offices in Ecuador
for registering those seeking protection and assistance, in Quito, Lago Agrio (in
Sucumbios, in the Amazon) and Ibarra (in Imbabura)—see figure 1.1 below.

Refugee status is determined jointly by ACNUR and the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. ACNUR has also developed a number of special programs, including
Development Assistance for Refugees in the Northern Border, a Bi-national

Integration Plan for the three border provinces, community projects,
sensitization campaigns to combat negative attitudes of Ecuadorians towards
Colombians, a programme of providing monthly food rations jointly with the

World Food Programme (in danger of being ended after 2006), a programme
with UNIFEM (the UN Development Fund for Women) to strengthen the
Women’s Federation in Lago Agrio and a program with the UN Population
Fund (UNFPA) and UNIFEM to provide training in HIV/AIDS and

reproductive health to women, including refugees, in Lago Agrio in Sucumbios.
ACNUR recognizes that the conflict has been intensifying so that voluntary
repatriation of Colombians in not feasible in the short run and local integration is

the “main durable solution for the majority….” (p.8). However, this assistance
may remain insufficient: “Given the limited resources, the magnitude and
dispersion of the population of concern….assistance will be limited to new

arrivals…” (p. 9). ANNEX 241

United States Department of State,
“International Narcotics Control Strategy Report” (2008) ANNEX 241

United States Department of State
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs

International

Narcotics Control

Strategy Report

Volume I
Drug and Chemical

Control

March 2008

Embargoed until
February 29, 2008
12:00 p.m.ANNEX 241

South America

V. Statistical Table

2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Coca
1
Net Cultivation (ha) 157,200 144,000 114,000 113,850 144,450 169,800 136,200

Aerial Eradication (ha) 153,133 171,613 138,775 136,555 132,817 122,695 84,251 47,371
Manual Eradication (ha) 66,396 42,111 31,285 10,991

HCl (Cocaine): Potential (MT) 610 545 430 460 571 839 580

Opium Poppy
1
Net Cultivation (ha) 2,400 2,100 4,400 4,900 6,540 5,010

Aerial Eradication (ha) 232 1,624 3,060 2,994 3,371 2,583 9,254
Manual Eradication (ha) 375 1,697 497 1,497

Heroin: Potential (MT) 4.6 3.8 7.8 8.5 11.4 8.7

Seizures

Coca Base/Paste (MT) 60.6 48.1 43.8 28.3 31.1 30.0 26.7 0.0

Cocaine HCl (MT) 130.7 130.2 179.0 138.6 114.0 94.0 57.3 69.0

Combined HCl & Base (MT) 191.3 178.3 222.8 166.9 145.1 124.0 84.0 69.0
Heroin 0.6 0.5 0.7 0.7 0.5 0.8 0.8 0.6

Arrests/Detentions 59,652 64,123 82,236 63,791 15,868 15,367 8,600

Labs Destroyed

Cocaine HCl 240 205

Base 2,875 1,952
Heroin 1 9

129 ANNEX 242

United States Government Accountability Office, Plan Colombia: Drug

Reduction Goals Were Not Fully Met, but Security Has Improved; U.S. Agencies
Need More Detailed Plans for Reducing Assistance (Oct. 2008) ANNEX 242

United States Government Accountability Office
GAO Report to the Honorable
Committee on Foreign Relations,
U.S. Senate

October 2008
PLAN COLOMBIA

Drug Reduction Goals

Were Not Fully Met,
but Security Has
Improved; U.S.

Agencies Need More
Detailed Plans for

Reducing Assistance

GAO-09-71ANNEX 242

United States Government Accountability Office
Washington, DC 20548

October 6, 2008

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

Chairman
Committee on Foreign Relations
United States Senate

Dear Mr. Chairman:

The United States has been providing assistance to Colombia since the
early 1970s to help the Colombian military, the National Police and other
law enforcement agencies, and civilian agencies in their efforts to reduce

illicit drug production and trafficking activities. Despite this assistance, in
the late 1990s, Colombia was the world’s leading producer of cocaine and

had become a major source of heroin used in the United States. In October
1999, the Colombian government announced a 6-year strategy, known as
Plan Colombia, to (1) reduce the cultivation, processing, and distribution
1
of illicit narcotics in Colombia by 50 percent over a 6-year period, and (2)
improve the security climate in Colombia by reclaiming control of areas
held by a number of illegal armed groups, which in the last decade had
2
financed their activities largely through drug trade profits.

Plan Colombia’s counternarcotics strategy centered on illicit crop

eradication and interdiction activities and alternative development
projects designed to offer farmers an alternative to growing coca and
opium poppy. Plan Colombia sought to reclaim control of territory

dominated by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (known by its

1
Although the government of Colombia announced Plan Colombia in 1999, U.S. funding for
counternarcotics purposes was not approved until July 2000, leading to some uncertainty
about when the 6-year goal was to be achieved. However, the Colombian government
announced that it intended to eliminate coca cultivation by August 2006. For the purposes
of this report, we use 2000 as the beginning of Plan Colombia and 2006 to mark its end. We
also focus on the cultivation and processing of illicit narcotics because only combined
“distribution” or “flow” data for South America is developed for cocaine and no flow data is
developed for heroin.

2The drug trade in Colombia is dominated by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
(known by its Spanish acronym, FARC); the National Liberation Army (ELN); criminal
gangs which include former members of the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia
(AUC), which demobilized under a peace agreement with the government; and several drug
cartels.

Page 1 GAO-09-71 Counternarcotics Aid to Colombia ANNEX 242

Spanish acronym, FARC) and other illegal armed groups through a variety

of means, including the growth and professionalism of the Colombian
military and National Police, systematic military engagement with

insurgent groups, and an expanded police presence throughout the
country. Plan Colombia also included a number of social, economic, and

judicial reform programs designed to broadly support its drug reduction
and security objectives. In January 2007, the Colombians issued a 6-year

(2007-2013) follow-on strategy, referred to as the Plan Colombia
Consolidation Phase (PCCP), which includes many of the same strategies
5
and programs initiated under Plan Colombia.

6
Since fiscal year 2000, the United States has provided more than $6 billion
in military and nonmilitary assistance to Colombia. Under the general
guidance and direction of the White House Office of National Drug Control
7
Policy (ONDCP), the Departments of State (State) and Defense (Defense)
have overseen assistance provided to the Colombian military and National

Police for Plan Colombia’s counternarcotics and improved security
objectives. State has provided most of this assistance, focusing on five
8
major aviation programs for the Colombian Army, Air Force, and National
Police. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the

Department of Justice (Justice), and State have overseen nonmilitary
assistance for programs that support alternative development, aid to

internally displaced persons and the demobilization of illegal armed
groups, and judicial reform efforts.

3The National Police are part of the Ministry of Defense.

4Formally titled the Strategy to Strengthen Democracy and Promote Social Development.

5Plan Colombia’s security component is supplemented by government of Colombia security
strategies and military plans of operations issued between 2003 and 2007. These strategies
and plans are included in all references to “Plan Colombia” and PCCP in this report.

6
To obtain consistent and comparable funding data from each of the departments and
agencies involved, we use appropriated U.S. assistance throughout this report. We refer to
the funding as “provided,” though all of it may not have been obligated or expended.
7
ONDCP establishes policies, priorities, and objectives for the nation's drug control
program. The Director of ONDCP evaluates, coordinates, and oversees both the
international and domestic anti-drug efforts of executive branch agencies and ensures that
such efforts sustain and complement state and local anti-drug activities.

8These are the Army’s Aviation Brigade and Infrastructure Security Strategy, the Air Force’s
Air Bridge Denial Program, and the National Police’s Air Service and Aerial Eradication

Program.

Page 2 GAO-09-71 Counternarcotics Aid to ColombiaANNEX 242

Beginning in 2005, Congress called on the Secretary of State to develop a
multiyear strategy to guide anticipated follow-on assistance to Plan
Colombia. Congress directed that this strategy include a detailed

explanation of how State (and the other U.S. departments and agencies
involved) planned to “nationalize” or transfer program operations and
funding responsibilities to the government of Colombia. In response, State

issued a report to Congress in March 2006 that noted the need for
continued and sustained support for military and nonmilitary assistance
programs in Colombia for the short- and mid-term, followed by reductions
10
as nationalization efforts take hold. State updated this strategy in two
reports to Congress dated April 2007 and April 2008. The April 2007
report included a proposed funding plan illustrating the administration’s

intent to provide an additional $4 billion in assistance under PCCP. The
plan called for a gradual reduction in assistance to the Colombian military
and National Police, an initial increase in funding for nonmilitary

assistance programs, followed by relatively constant funding levels for
nonmilitary assistance through fiscal year 2013. According to State, in
fiscal year 2008, Congress accelerated these plans by reducing

appropriations for Colombian military and police programs (in particular,
aviation programs) by nearly $170 million, while increasing appropriations
for nonmilitary programs (in particular, alternative development projects)

by over $85 million with the expectation that this funding shift will lead to
major reductions in coca growth.

At your request, we examined U.S. assistance efforts since fiscal year 2000
when funding for Plan Colombia was first approved. Specifically, we

examined (1) the progress made toward Plan Colombia’s drug reduction
and enhanced security objectives; (2) program support provided to the
Colombian military and National Police, including specific results and

related challenges; (3) nonmilitary program support provided to Colombia,
including specific results and related challenges; and (4) the status of U.S.

9
See H. Report 109-152 (p. 63) accompanying H.R. 3057, the Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2006 and H. Report 109-486 (p.
40) accompanying H.R. 5522, the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related
Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2007.
10
Report to Congress: U.S. Assistance Programs in Colombia and Plans to Transfer
Responsibilities to Colombia, March 2006.
1Report to Congress: U.S. Assistance Programs in Colombia, April 2007, and Report to
Congress: U.S. Assistance Programs in Colombia, April 2008.

Page 3 GAO-09-71 Counternarcotics Aid to Colombia ANNEX 242

and Colombian efforts to nationalize U.S. assistance and the challenges, if
any, these efforts face.

To address these objectives, we reviewed planning, implementation, and
other documentation related to U.S. counternarcotics and
counterterrorism assistance to the government of Colombia since 2000,
including our prior reports on various Plan Colombia related programs.

(See Related GAO Products at the end of this report.) We met with
officials at Defense, Justice, State, ONDCP, and USAID in Washington,
D.C.; U.S. Southern Command headquarters, Miami, Florida; the Joint
Interagency Task Force-South, Key West, Florida; State’s Office of
Aviation at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida; and the U.S. Embassy in

Bogotá, Colombia. In Colombia, we discussed U.S. assistance efforts with
U.S. embassy officials and cognizant Colombian military, police, and
civilian agency officials. We also met with U.S.-funded contractors
assisting with the U.S. programs for the Colombian Army and National
Police, and USAID implementing partners primarily involved in alternative
development programs. We visited several Colombian military and police

bases, including La Macarena, Larandia, Tolemaida, and Tumaco, and
numerous nonmilitary program sites, including alternative development
project sites, throughout Colombia. We also observed an aerial eradication
operation. (See app. I for a more complete description of our scope and
methodology.)

We conducted this performance audit from July 2007 to October 2008, in
accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient,
appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our findings and

conclusions based on our audit objectives. We believe that the evidence
obtained provides a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions
based on our audit objectives.

Results in Brief Plan Colombia’s goal of reducing the cultivation, processing, and
distribution of illegal narcotics by 50 percent in 6 years (through 2006) was
not fully achieved, however, major security advances have been made.
From 2000 to 2006, opium poppy cultivation and heroin production
declined about 50 percent. Estimated coca cultivation was about 15
percent greater in 2006 than in 2000 as coca farmers took

countermeasures such as moving to more remote portions of Colombia to

Page 4 GAO-09-71 Counternarcotics Aid to ColombiaANNEX 242

avoid U.S. and Colombian eradication efforts. Estimated cocaine

production was about 4 percent greater in 2006 than in 2000. ONDCP
officials noted that cocaine production rates did not keep pace with rising
levels of coca cultivation due to the impact of aerial and manual
13
eradication on coca field yield rates. According to U.S. officials,
Colombia improved its security climate through its counternarcotics
strategy, military and police actions, and other efforts (such as its

demobilization and deserter programs), which have weakened the
operational capabilities of FARC and other illegal armed groups. As a
result of these efforts, several indicators of security have shown marked

improvement since 2000. For example, between 2000 and 2007, the
Colombian government reports that the number of murders and
kidnappings were reduced by at least one-third and oil pipeline attacks

were reduced to almost zero. Nonetheless, U.S. and Colombian officials
cautioned that the progress made is not irreversible. U.S. embassy officials
told us that security gains will become irreversible only when FARC and

other illegal armed groups can no longer directly threaten the central
government and, instead, become a local law enforcement problem
requiring only police attention.

U.S. assistance totaling nearly $4.9 billion since 2000 has provided the
Colombian military and National Police with a range of capabilities,

primarily air mobility, needed to pursue Plan Colombia’s counternarcotics
and security objectives.

• U.S. support to the Colombian military included providing 72 helicopters
and related support services to the Army’s Aviation Brigade; equipment
and training for the Army’s Counternarcotics Brigade and other Army
mobile units dedicated to counternarcotics and counterinsurgency

operations; aviation and ground support assistance to help protect the
Caño Limón-Coveñas oil pipeline from insurgent attacks; aviation assets
and support for the Colombian Air Force’s Air Bridge Denial program; and

12
Coca cultivation estimates are produced by the Central Intelligence Agency’s Crime and
Narcotics Center (CNC). CNC expanded the number of hectares surveyed for coca growth
beginning in 2004 in an effort to improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the
estimate. Between 2004 and 2006, CNC’s survey area rose from 10.9 million hectares to 23.6
million hectares.
13
ONDCP announced in September 2008 that estimated cocaine production rates for 2003
through 2007 had been revised downward based on the results of recent research showing
diminished coca field yield rates in Colombia. On the basis of these revised estimates,
ONDCP noted that cocaine production decreased by almost 25 percent from a high of 700
metric tons in 2001 to 535 metric tons in 2007.

Page 5 GAO-09-71 Counternarcotics Aid to Colombia ANNEX 242

Figure 4: Estimated Colombian Opium Poppy Cultivation and Heroin Production,
a
2000–2007

Thousands of hectares/metric tons
12

10

8

6

4

2

0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Year

Poppy cultivation

Heroin production

Sources: 2008 International Narcotics Control and Strategy Report (INCSR) and ONDCP.

a
Estimates for 2005 and 2007 were not completed due to adverse weather conditions.

Coca Cultivation and Cocaine As illustrated in figure 5, coca cultivation was about 15 percent greater in

Production Reduction Goals 2006 than in 2000, with an estimated 157,000 hectares cultivated in 2006
compared to 136,200 hectares in 2000. State officials noted that extensive
Were Not Met
aerial and manual eradication efforts during this period were not sufficient

to overcome countermeasures taken by coca farmers as discussed later in
this report. U.S. officials also noted the increase in estimated coca

cultivation levels from 2005 through 2007, may have been due, at least in

part, to the Crime and Narcotics Centers’ decision to increase the size of
the coca cultivation survey areas in Colombia beginning in 2004 and

subsequent years.

Page 18 GAO-09-71 Counternarcotics Aid to ColombiaANNEX 242

Figure 5: Estimated Coca Cultivation in Colombia, 2000–2007

Thousands of hectares
180

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Year

Sources: 2006 and 2007 (interim) Interagency Assessment of Cocaine Movement (IACM) and ONDCP.

Note: Coca cultivation estimates are produced by the Central Intelligence Agency’s Crime and
Narcotics Center (CNC). CNC significantly expanded the number of hectares surveyed for coca
growth beginning in 2005 in an effort to improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the
estimate. Between 2004 and 2006, CNC’s survey area rose from 10.9 million hectares to 23.6 million
hectares. The United Nations produces its own annual estimates of coca cultivation in Colombia.
U.S. and U.N. estimates of coca cultivation vary widely due to technical and methodological

differences.

As illustrated in figure 6, estimated cocaine production was about 4
percent greater in 2006 than in 2000, with 550 metric tons produced in

2006 compared to 530 metric tons in 2000. However, in September 2008,

ONDCP officials noted that cocaine production did not keep pace with
rising coca cultivation levels because eradication efforts had degraded

coca fields so less cocaine was being produced per hectare of cultivated

coca. ONDCP also announced that estimated cocaine production rates in
Colombia for 2003 through 2007 had been revised downward based on the

results of recent research showing diminished coca field yield rates. On

the basis of these revised estimates, ONDCP estimated cocaine production
decreased by almost 25 percent from a high of 700 metric tons in 2001 to

535 metric tons in 2007.

Page 19 GAO-09-71 Counternarcotics Aid to Colombia ANNEX 243

World Resource Institute, “Biodiversity and Protected Areas – Ecuador” ANNEX 243

EarthTrends
Biodiversity and Protected Areas-- Ecuador Country Profiles

South Portion of Land Area Protected by IUCN Category, Ecuador,
2003
Ecuador America World
Total Land Area (000 ha) 28,356 1,785,515 13,328,979 18%
16%
Protected Areas
Extent of Protected Areas by IUCN Category (000 ha), 2003: 14%

Nature Reserves, Wilderness Areas, and 12%
National Parks (categories I and II) 2,304 66,424 438,448 10%
Natural Monuments, Species Management
8%
Areas, and Protected Landscapes and
Seascapes (categories III, IV, and V) 4 39,637 326,503 6%
Areas Managed for Sustainable Use and
4%
Unclassified Areas (category VI and "other") 4,366 269,145 692,723 2%
Total Area Protected (all categories) 6,674 375,207 1,457,674 Percent of Total Land Area Protected
0%
Marine and Littoral Protected Areas {a} 992 21,008 417,970 Categories I and Categories III, ICategory VI and
Protected Areas as a Percent of Total Land and V Unclassified Areas

Area, 2003 {b} 26.0% 21.1% 10.8% Ecuador South America
Number of Protected Areas, 2003 135 2,586 98,400

Number of Areas >100,000 ha, 2003 22 465 2,091
Number of Areas > 1 million ha, 2003 X 86 243

Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), 2002: Threatened Species, Ecuador, 2002-03
Number of Sites 8 61 1,179

Total Area (000 ha) 83 23,360 102,283
Higher Plants
Biosphere Reserves, 2002
Number of Sites 3 39 408 Mammals
Total Area (000 ha) 17,375 163,832 439,000

Number and Status of Species Breeding Birds

Higher Plants Reptiles
Total known species (number), 1992-2002 19,362 X X
Number of threatened species, 2002 197 X 5,714
Amphibians
Mammals
Total known species (number), 1992-2002 302 X X Fish

Number of threatened species, 2002 33 X 1,137
Breeding Birds 0 50 100 150 200 250
Total known species (number), 1992-2002 640 X X Number of Species

Number of threatened species, 2002 62 X 1,192

View more Country Profiles on-line at http://earthtrends.wri.org

© EarthTrends 2003. All rights reserved. Fair use is permitted on a limited scale and for educational purposes. page 1 ANNEX 244

World Resource Institute, “Biodiversity and Protected Areas – United Kingdom” ANNEX 244

EarthTrends
Biodiversity and Protected Areas-- United Kingdom
Country Profiles

United
Kingdom Europe World

Total Land Area (000 ha) 24,488 2,301,873 13,328,979
Protected Areas

Extent of Protected Areas by IUCN Category (000 ha), 2003:
Nature Reserves, Wilderness Areas, and
National Parks (categories I and II) X 34,628 438,448

Natural Monuments, Species Management
Areas, and Protected Landscapes and
Seascapes (categories III, IV, and V) 137 95,234 326,503

Areas Managed for Sustainable Use and
Unclassified Areas (category VI and "other") 2,415 50,859 692,723
Total Area Protected (all categories) 2,552 180,721 1,457,674

Marine and Littoral Protected Areas {a} 117 38,563 417,970

Protected Areas as a Percent of Total Land
Area, 2003 {b} 10.5% 8.4% 10.8%
Number of Protected Areas, 2003 7,191 51,690 98,400

Number of Areas >100,000 ha, 2003 X 316 2,091
Number of Areas > 1 million ha, 2003 X X 243

Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), 2002: Threatened Species, United Kingdom, 2002-03
Number of Sites 169 699 1,179
Total Area (000 ha) 855 19,248 102,283

Biosphere Reserves, 2002
Higher Plants
Number of Sites 9 150 408
Total Area (000 ha) 30 128,034 439,000 Mammals

Number and Status of Species Breeding Birds
Higher Plants
Reptiles
Total known species (number), 1992-2002 1,623 X X
Number of threatened species, 2002 13 X 5,714
Mammals Amphibians

Total known species (number), 1992-2002 50 X X Fish
Number of threatened species, 2002 12 X 1,137
Breeding Birds 0 2 4 6 4820 111

Total known species (number), 1992-2002 229 X X Number of Species
Number of threatened species, 2002 2 X 1,192

View more Country Profiles on-line at http://earthtrends.wri.org

© EarthTrends 2003. All rights reserved. Fair use is permitted on a limited scale and for educational purposes. page 1 ANNEX 245

Republic of Colombia, Ministry of the Environment,

Resolution No. 1054, Whereby an Environmental Management Plan is Modified
and Other Decisions are Made (30 Sep. 2003) ANNEX 245

Resolution No. 1054 of the Ministry of Environment, Housing, and Regional Development

Report on Issues Related to the Aerial Eradication of Illicit Coca in Colombia

December 2003

MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT, HOUSING AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

30 SEPTEMBER 2003

RESOLUTION No. 1054

"Whereby an Environmental Management Plan is modified and other decisions are made."

THE MINSTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT, HOUSING AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT,

further to her legal powers, and especially those conferred on her by Law 99 of 1993, Decree 1753 of 1994 and Decree 1180 of 20 03, and

WHEREAS

The "Illicit Crop Eradication Program Using Aerial Spraying with Glyphosate" (PECIG) is being executed in Colombia.

Each and every activity and component of this program should be set within the context of current environmental regulations so that constitutional

assumptions can be complied with, which impose a duty on the State to protect environmental diversity and integrity, preserve a reas of special ecological

importance, and stimulate education so that these goals may be attained.

The State should likewise, in furtherance of PECIG, prevent and control factors which might harm the environment, impose legal sanctions, and demand
redress for damage caused.

Article 144 in Law 9 of 1979, the National Sanitary Code, which is currently in force, establishes that waste material from app lication operations should not be

poured directly into water courses or reservoirs, the ground or the air. They should be subjected to treatment and disposed ofin such a way that they do not
represent a health risk.

Article 87 in Decree 1843 of 1991, which regulates Law 9 of 1979, reads as follows: "The Safety Strip. Pesticides may not be applied in rural areas inside a
10-metre safety strip when application is done on land or a 100-metre strip when done by air, from bodies of water, water courses, trunk roads, human and

animal population nuclei, or any other area where special protection might be required".

The "Illicit Crop Eradication Program Using Aerial Spraying with Glyphosate" (PECIG) has an Environmental Management Plan whichwas imposed by this
Ministry by means of Resolutions 1065 of 2001 and 108 of 2002, and this contains measures for ensuring that the program is exec uted in accordance with

current environmental regulations.

According to the provision stipulated in Ministry Resolution No. 099 dated 31 January 2003, the dose used on coca crops in the "Illicit Crop Eradication

Program Using Aerial Spraying with Glyphosate" is 10.4 l/ha.

The aforementioned Environmental Management Plan was imposed at the time on the National Narcotics Division (DNE), as this was the competent entity for
controlling development and execution of National Government policy on narcotics control, prevention and repression, to which P ECIG refers, in the terms

stated under Number 2 in Decree 2159 of 1992, modified by means of Decree 1575 of 1997.

In an official document which was filed with this Ministry under number 3111-1-12366 on 12 August 2003, the National Narcotics Division (DNE) submitted an
application for the Environmental Management Plan imposed by means of Resolution 1065 of 2001 to be modified, and this applicat ion was complemented

by official document number SPD-383, which was filed with this Ministry on 18 September 2003.

Modifying Environmental Management Plan records as requested is legally viable, as established in Article 28 in Decree 1180 of 2003, the first and third

paragraphs of which read as follows.

"TRANSITION REGIME. Any projects, works or activities for which permits, concessions, licences and authorisations of an environ mental nature have been
obtained under regulations which were in force prior to the date on which this decree is issued shall continue their activities under the terms and conditions

and with the obligations stated in the administrative acts thus issued.

(.....)

In the aforementioned cases, the environmental authorities shall continue to carry out the necessary control and follow-up acti vities, with a view to

establishing whether environmental regulations are being complied with. They may likewise stipulate, by means of a reasoned adm inistrative act, any
additional environmental management measures which they might deem necessary and/or adjustments to those currently being implemented".

http://www.state.gov/p/inl/rls/rpt/aeicc/27412.htmrlANNEX 245

The "Illicit Crop Eradication Program Using Aerial Spraying with Glyphosate" (PECIG) was being executed prior to the date on wh ich Decree 1180 of 2003

came into force, under the provisions governing it at the time, and was subject to the terms, conditions and obligations stipul ated in the respective
administrative acts that were issued.

The Environmental Management Plan is a dynamic instrument which can be adjusted in line with the individual features of the act ivity and environmental
conditions in the area where the project is being executed, and the modification document submitted by DNE accordingly proposesa strategy consisting of

adjusting the thirteen (13) records which make up the present Environmental Management Plan for the Illicit Crop Eradication Pr ogram Using the Herbicide
Glyphosate" (PECIG), as follows.

1. RECORD 1. SPRAYING OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. This combines Record No. 1 - Spraying Operations Management - with RecordNo.
6 - Spraying Operations Inspection, Verification and Control Program, with certain objectives and activities in these adjusted.

2. RECORD 2. OVERALL SAFETY PROGRAM AT OPERATIONS BASES. This combines Record No. 2 - Glyphosate Management Program at Operations

Bases - with No. 3 - Fuel, Vehicle, Equipment and Transportation Management Plan - and No. 11 - Overall Safety Program at Opera tions Bases - in the
current plan.

3. RECORD 3. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. This corresponds to the present Record No. 4 - Solid Waste Management Program.

4. RECORD 4. WASTE WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AT PECIG BASES. This corresponds to the present Record No. 5 - Waste Water Manageme nt
Program.

5. RECORD 5. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM. This combines Record No. 7 - Representative and Demonstrative Plot Research Program -

with No. 8 - Environmental Monitoring Program - in the present Environmental Management Plan.

6. RECORD 6. SOCIAL MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION PROGRAM. This combines Record No. 9 - Social Management Program - with No. 10 -

Educational Communication Program - and No. 12 - Environmental Administration and Inter-Institutional Coordination Program.

7. RECORD 7. PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM. This corresponds to the health care activities included in Record No. 9 - Social ManagementProgram - in the

present Environmental Management Plan. It is added to the Environmental Management Plan as a new public health program.

8. RECORD 8. CONTINGENCY PLAN. This corresponds to the present Record No. 13 - Contingency Plan - in PECIG.

The proposed amendments to the PECIG Environmental Management Plan were evaluated in Technical Opinion No. 1059 dated 24 September 2003, which
stated the following.

"The National Narcotics Division (DNE) proposal is based on experience gained during execution of the Program and application o f the environmental
management records, and this has revealed that a number of them can be combined in that they have similar scopes and objectives , and if this is done, it will

allow greater control to be exercised in PECIG environmental management measures and improve coordination relations with the di fferent entities involved in
the program.

We should also remember that because of the characteristics of the illicit crop eradication activity, a dynamic Environmental M anagement Plan is required,

one which simplifies effective execution of the proposed activities in line with the varied environmental, social and safety conditions in the country.

The National Narcotics Division has said that the National Police Anti-Narcotics Division, as the entity responsible for execut ing the Illicit Crop Eradication

Program with the Herbicide Glyphosate, is faced with risks all the time in its eradication activities because illegal armed gro ups are harassing and attacking
the aircraft as they spray the herbicide Glyphosate, and in many cases this is preventing the environmental management recordsbeing implemented

adequately.

This situation has been verified by the Ministry during Eradication Program Environmental Management Plan follow-up activities, when it has also been noted

that illicit crop growers use a number of strategies to prevent areas where coca is planted from being sprayed. These include mxi ing illicit crops with licit ones,
planting only sections of illicit crops, fixing wires between trees in order to try and get the fumigation aircraft to overturn when it descends, and having

extremely high isolated trees on plots to make it more difficult for spraying aircraft to manoeuvre; these latter two situation s seriously endanger the lives of the
pilots and in some cases force them to modify program operating parameters".

Ministry of the Environment, Housing and Regional Development Considerations with Respect to the Content of the Proposed Record s.

An interdisciplinary technical review of the proposed modification to the PECIG Environmental Management Plan records leads tothe conclusion that this will
not alter the goal that is sought, namely prevention, mitigation, control and correction of and compensation for any possible n egative environmental effects

which might result from the illicit crop eradication activity, and the proposal is viewed as being a technical adjustment to th e present Environmental
Management Plan. The technical review by the Ministry raised the following considerations about the proposed records.

RECORD 1. SPRAYING OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. This combines Record No. 1 - Spraying Operations Management - with Record No. 6 -

Spraying Operations Inspection, Verification and Control Program, with certain objectives and activities in these adjusted.

The Ministry is of the opinion that that these two records should be combined, since the objectives and activities set forth in the present Environmental

Management Plan are related, and the proposed record therefore meets environmental requirements for managing spraying operation s. As far as the
operating parameters established in Table No. 1 in the said record are concerned, these should be brought into line with what isestablished by the competent

authority.

http://www.state.gov/p/inl/rls/rpt/aeicc/27412.htmrl ANNEX 245

RECORD 2. OVERALL SAFETY PROGRAM AT OPERATIONS BASES. This combines Record No. 2 - Glyphosate Management Program at Operations

Bases - with No. 3 - Fuel, Vehicle, Equipment and Transportation Management Plan - and No. 11 - Overall Safety Program at Opera tions Bases - in the
current plan.

The Ministry authorises the records to be altered and combined as proposed by DNE.

RECORD 3. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. This corresponds to the present Record No. 4 - Solid Waste Management Program.

The Ministry agrees to the amendment to the record proposed by DNE.

RECORD 4. WASTE WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AT PECIG BASES. This corresponds to the present Record No. 5 - Waste Water Management
Program.

The Ministry agrees to the amendment to the record proposed by DNE.

RECORD 5. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM. This combines Record No. 7 - Representative and Demonstrative Plot Research Program - with
No. 8 - Environmental Monitoring Program - in the present Environmental Management Plan.

The Ministry is of the opinion that it is viable to agree to the record proposed by DNE, since the objectives set forth in Reco rd No. 7 in the plan that is to be
modified, namely studying ecological regeneration and dynamics in sprayed areas and determining glyphosate residue levels in th e soil and how these have

affected the physical and chemical properties thereof, are contained in the proposed record for carrying out under real conditi ons on the ground in each
PECIG operation nucleus. This evaluation will thus be carried out at the same time as the environmental monitoring that is described in the proposed record.

Meanwhile, and as a result of the considerations under Record No. 8 - Environmental Monitoring Program - in the present Environ mental Management Plan

with respect to the water, soil, vegetation cover, land use, and health of the population in sprayed areas components, the obje ctive is to carry out follow-up of
the effects on these components. It is thus considered that the proposed record adequately covers the activities and indicators of the two earlier records (7

and 8).

RECORD 6. SOCIAL MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION PROGRAM. This combines Record No. 9 - Social Management Program - with No. 10 -

Educational Communication Program - and No. 12 - Environmental Administration and Inter-Institutional Coordination Program.

The Ministry authorises the records to be altered and combined as proposed by DNE.

RECORD 7. PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM. This corresponds to the health care activities included in Record No. 9 - Social Management Pr ogram - in the

present Environmental Management Plan. It is added to the Environmental Management Plan as a new public health program.

The Ministry authorises the activities proposed in the record since they complement the Environmental Management Plan.

RECORD 8. CONTINGENCY PLAN. This corresponds to the present Record No. 13 - Contingency Plan - in PECIG.

The Ministry agrees to the amendment to the record proposed by DNE.

The Environmental Management Plan which is modified hereby shall consist of eight (8) records, containing the "Illicit Crop Era dication Program Using Aerial

Spraying with Glyphosate" (PECIG) environmental management measures.

Decree 2568 of 2003 establishes that the National Narcotics Division (DNE) has the following duties, amongst others: to direct, coordinate, supervise and
control execution of the duties and programs of the National Narcotics Division and officials thereof, to establish policy and adopt general plans relating to the

institution, and to direct and control the objectives of the institution and see that these are achieved, in line with establis hed development plans and policies.

The National Police Anti-Narcotics Division - DIRAN - has a duty to reduce the drug supply by, amongst other things, the techni cal aerial spraying of illicit

coca, poppy and marijuana crops, as established in Decree 1512 of 2000.

The entities listed below shall be responsible for executing the modified Environmental Management Plan records which will be a uthorised hereby:

1. National Police Anti-Narcotics Division - DIRAN - will be responsible for dealing with Records Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8.

2. With respect to Record No. 5, each of the entities stated therein shall be responsible, with operational support from the Na tional Police - Anti-Narcotics

Division, based on the activities stated below.

2.1. VEGETATION SUCCESSION ANALYSIS

This covers the following activities:

2.1.1. Taking aerial photographs and videos by the National Police - Anti-Narcotics Division as part of environmental monitorin g, with the results to be sent to

this Ministry;

2.1.2. Vegetation cover analysis over periods of time, produced by SIMCI (Integrated Illicit Crop Monitoring System), a projectthat is the responsibility of the

Ministry of Justice, which will send results to this Ministry.

http://www.state.gov/p/inl/rls/rpt/aeicc/27412.htmrlANNEX 245

2.2. GLYPHOSATE AND AMPA RESIDUE ANALYSIS

This covers the following activities:

2.2.1. Monitoring will be planned in conjunction with the National Police - Anti-Narcotics Division, the National Health Instit ute, and the Agustín Codazzi
Geographical Institute.

2.2.2. The taking of water and soil samples and the packing of these will be done by IGAC technicians in the case of soil sampl es and INS or technicians

trained by INS in the case of water samples.

2.2.3. Samples will be sent to laboratories by the technicians who took them.

2.2.4. IGAC and INS, respectively, will carry out soil and water laboratory analyses and publish results.

2.2.5. The National Narcotics Division (DNE) will compile results for the nuclei and with the frequencies stated in the record and despatch these to this

Ministry.

3. National Narcotics Division (DNE) - Record Number 6.

4. The Ministry of Social Protection (National Health Institute at national level and Regional Health Divisions in Provinces, D istricts and Towns) will be

responsible for Record No. 7.

Technical Opinion No. 1059 dated 24 September 2003 concludes that it is technically and environmentally viable to modify the Environmental Management
Plan for the Illicit Crop Eradication Program with the Herbicide Glyphosate (PECIG) in the manner proposed by the National Narc otics Division (DNE) and in

accordance with the aforementioned considerations, with the obligations which will be established in the resolution part of thi s ruling.

By virtue of the foregoing, this Office hereby reassumes the competence which was delegated in Resolution 307 of 2003, and in the resolution part of this

ruling will proceed to modify the Environmental Management Plan which was imposed for the activity referred to as "Illicit Crop Eradication Program Using
Aerial Spraying with Glyphosate" (PECIG) in Colombia.

By virtue of the foregoing, it is hereby

RESOLVED:

ARTICLE ONE. To modify Resolution 1065 dated 26 November 2001 and Resolution 108 dated 31 January 2002, in order to adjust the Environment al
Management Plan records submitted by the NATIONAL NARCOTICS DIVISION (DNE) for the activity referred to as "Illicit Crop Eradication Program Using

Aerial Spraying with Glyphosate" (PECIG) in Colombia under the terms and conditions established in the Premises hereto and the r esolution part of this
administrative act.

ARTICLE TWO. The entities listed below shall be responsible for complying with the Environmental Management Plan records which are modifie d by means
of this administrative act:

1. The National Police Anti-Narcotics Division - DIRAN - shall be responsible for dealing with Records Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8.

2. The Ministry of Health - National Health Institute, The Ministry of Justice, the National Police Anti-Narcotics Division - D IRAN, the National Narcotics

Division - DNE, and the Agustín Codazzi Geographical Institute - IGAC shall be responsible for Record No. 5, based on the activ ities established therein and
in accordance with the first part of this ruling.

3. The National Narcotics Division (DNE) shall be responsible for Record Number 6.

4. The Ministry of Social Protection (National Health Institute at national level and Regional Health Divisions in Provinces, D istricts and Towns) will be
responsible for Record No. 7.

ARTICLE THREE. The entities detailed under the preceding Article should do the following:
1. submit half-yearly reports containing details of activities carried out in furtherance of the modification to the Environmental Management Plan records,

including training programs undertaken during the said period, with specific details of activities carried out for complying wi th the safety strips for
environmental elements;

2. submit a Schedule and General Budget for the modified Environmental Management Plan for execution of PECIG within a period o f sixty (60) days; and

3. inform contractors, and all personnel in general who are involved in the activity, in writing of the obligations, control me asures and prohibitions established
in this ruling and in the Environmental Management Plan modification document submitted, and demand that they comply strictly t herewith.

ARTICLE FOUR. The Environmental Management Plan which is hereby modified covers only those works or activities which are described in the

Environmental Management Plan modification document and in this Resolution.

Each of the entities listed in Article Two hereinabove should inform the Ministry of the Environment, Housing and Regional Deve lopment in writing of any
modification to Environmental Management Plan conditions, so that these may be evaluated and approved.

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ARTICLE FIVE. The Ministry of the Environment, Housing and Regional Development shall supervise execution of the activity and may at any ti me check
that the guidelines and obligations established in this ruling and in the Environmental Management Plan are being adhered to.

ARTICLE SIX. The entities which are referred to in Article Two hereinabove shall be responsible for any environmental deterioration and/or damage which

might be attributable to them and has been caused in furtherance of the "Illicit Crop Eradication Program Using Aerial Spraying with Glyphosate", within the
scope and extent of their competence and the responsibilities which are assigned to them herein.

ARTICLE SEVEN. The National Narcotics Division (DNE) should publish this administrative act and the eight (8) records which make up the Envi ronmental

Management Plan within ten (10) days of the date on which it is notified thereof, and should submit a copy of the same to this Ministry.

ARTICLE EIGHT. The Delegate Attorney's Office for Environmental and Agricultural Affairs, the Colombian Farming Institute (ICA), the Nationa l Narcotics
Council, the Regional Autonomous Corporations and the Sustainable Development Corporation are to be notified of the present rul ing through the Legal

Secretariat of this Ministry.

ARTICLE NINE. Motion to set aside applies with respect to this Resolution, and may be filed with this Ministry within five (5) days of noti ce being served
hereof subject to all legal requirements being met, as stipulated in Articles 50, 51 and 52 in the Administrative Code.

BE IT NOTIFIED, COMMUNICATED, PUBLISHED AND COMPLIED WITH.

(signed)

CECILIA RODRIGUEZ GONZALEZ RUBIO
Minister

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