Luis Yanza

Luis Yanza (born 1962 in Gualaceo) is an environmental activist from Ecuador, of Cofán descent.[1] He serves as president of the Frente de Defensa de la Amazonia (Amazon Defense Front), an NGO representing the interests of the campesinos and indigenous peoples in Ecuador.[2]

Honors

Yanza received the Goldman Environment Prize in 2008, along with Pablo Fajardo Mendoza.[3][4] The two have been organizing indigenous communities in Ecuador to fight against international oil companies, in order to clean up devastated areas in the Ecuadorian jungle, which has become polluted from years of oil production.

Yanza and Fajardo's publication of the environmental effects from oil production has led to stronger environmental protection laws in Ecuador.[4]

Legal action

As president of the Frente de Defensa de la Amazonia, Yanza has spearheaded the multi-billion-dollar class action lawsuit against Chevron-Texaco for its environmental damage in Ecuador.[5] "This trial is not about accidental damages. We´re talking about harm to people and the environment that was done in a deliberate manner," says Yanza.[2] The Ecuadorian courts ruled in against Chevron; however, Chevron is attempting to counter-sue Yanza, Fajardo, and their New York-based lawyer, Steven Donziger.[6]

Notes

  1. ↑ "Biografía de Luis Yanza" (in Spanish). Chevron Tóxico. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  2. 1 2 Saavedra, Luis Ángel. "Ecuador: Chevron Strikes Back." Eurasia Review. (retrieved 20 March 2011)
  3. ↑ Chris Kraul (2008). "Amazon activists win environmental prize". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-11-17.
  4. 1 2 "South & Central America 2008 – Pablo Fajardo Mendoza & Luis Yanza – Ecuador – Oil & Mining". The Goldman Environmental Prize. 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-17.
  5. ↑ Handler 234
  6. ↑ Karmasek, Jessica M. "Chevron wants separate trial for judgment against Ecuador verdict." Legal News Line. 11 March 2011 (retrieved 20 March 2011)

References

External links


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