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Trouble in Chiarentza
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September 2002
Two national Pastors and I just got back from Chiarentza where we spent Wednesday, Thursday and most of Friday morning (11th, 12th and 13th of Sept.) We were teaching and preaching in an Evangelistic Conference/Campaign which had been planned for some time. This mid-size Shuar village is located near Taisha in the disputed oil-rich section known as "Block 24". Chiarentza has elected to enter into dialogue with the oil company, contrary to the Shuar-Achuar nation's decision not to do so. The villagers told us that several months ago about 500 armed men, Shuar and Achuar, invaded their village, and forced their leaders to sign a document stating they would abide by the general body's decision to NOT enter into any kind of accord with the oil co.
It was reported to us that just prior to our arrival on Wednesday, they had received another letter from the group of leaders that was meeting at that very time in Shingiatam, 4 hours on foot to the south. The letter reportedly said that a large group of Indians would soon be sent from all over the region to wipe out Chiarentza due to its violation of the agreement.
From the moment we arrived on Wednesday, the men of the village remained armed on 24 hour alert. Those who came to our meetings came with their guns.
Thursday we received a message, on the village's newly acquired radio, from Br. Edison Rueda who works at the TAO air taxi company in Shell. Edison was considering sending a flight and asked for my evaluation as to the danger level of the situation. A plane did arrive Thursday, but it came from ATUR carrying about 500 lbs of food supplies. The shipment was a gift to the village, from a source unknown to us, and apparently contained some explosives, which the villagers decided to shoot off during the night.
On Friday morning, at the last meeting of our Evangelistic Conference/Campaign, where most of the village was present, I pled with the group to be in serious prayer about any decision they might make with regard to the oil company. I also encouraged them to abide by the larger body's decision, unless they were absolutely sure that God would have them to do otherwise.
On our way back to Shell on Friday we had occasion to land in Campo Ayui and Tinche where we observed the mobilization of a group of angry Shuar heading to Yampuna for a concentration to further plan the attack against Chiarentza. Please pray for this developing situation. I plan to translate a copy of this report for the Army and the Civil Aviation Authorities.
For Jesus,
Rick LaBouef
Shell, Ecuador
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