Two years after the oil spill that marked a milestone in the lives of the Chapra people, the indigenous leader Olivia Besa Tirco Once again it is on the international agenda. Her name has just been announced as the award winner 2025 Global Prize for Environmental and Climate JusticeIt is a distinction created by the Forum for Environmental and Social Transitions, based in Vienna, which recognizes the work of those who defend nature in contexts of perpetual risk. It is her responsibility to be recognized as a representative of Latin America, as she was chosen from among 22 nominees from different continents.
This achievement comes as the Chapra nation continues to grapple with the effects of the oil spill. Northern Peru PipelineWhich happened in 2022, while the leader was experiencing threats, harassment, and events that forced her to leave her lands temporarily. However, their voice has been essential in making oil pollution visible, demanding environmental remediation and warning of the dangers faced by residents. Indigenous defenders On Amazon.
Olivia Bessa presides The autonomous regional government of the Chapra Nation As of 2022, in the province of Date del Marañon. From this standpoint, it has strengthened measures to protect rivers, streams and soil affected by oil activity in areas where accidents have been reported for more than five decades. His leadership gained strength after the recorded leak at the 177th kilometer of an oil pipeline operated by Petroperu, which left… Contaminated water sourcesThey affected fishing and changed the food security of their communities.
The environmental tragedy has not only damaged the region. This also intensified the context of violence surrounding Bessa. According to reports from Amazonian organizations, the leader is receiving Telephone threatsMonitor and warn people identified as “dangerous” within and outside their community. This scenario prompted her to join the national roster of Indigenous advocates facing high-risk situations, a condition that affects even her two youngest children.
Risks have been reported on various platforms. The commander explained that although only two phone companies operate in her area, the Peruvian National Police (PNP) has confirmed that the intimidating calls are coming from Many operators from other citiesThis makes it difficult to trace those responsible. Despite this, Olivia continues to periodically travel to her lands to carry out her duties, although each return involves additional measures to protect her safety.
In parallel, the community faces conflicts associated with the expansion of oil areas e.g Plot 64operated by GeoPark and Petroperú, whose intervention has led to tensions with local and external groups promoting its exploitation without adequate prior consultation processes. These pressures have placed the Chapra nation on a map of increasing risks due to economic interests advancing on its lands.
he Global Award 2025 It highlights people whose work reflects a commitment to climate justice, protecting species, and defending fragile ecosystems. Rose Abramoff (United States), Olanrewaju Suraju (Nigeria), Lisa Privitera (Canada), and Cynthia Honyohe (Pacific Islands), all of whom are associated with initiatives to combat corruption, climate damage and environmental abuses in various countries, were also honored in this edition.
The recognition of PISA is particularly important in a context where environmental defenders face harsh situations. A report prepared by ProPurús and ORAU revealed this At least 226 defenders They were in a “risk situation” between 2010 and 2024 due to threats related to illegal economies e.g Illegal mininghe Drug trafficking and Secret logging. These numbers place the country among the regions that witnessed the largest number of attacks in the Amazon Basin.
In the midst of this panorama, the leader also denounced the events Re-victimization During the operation to activate preventive measures. According to him, he had to repeat details of the threats several times in front of different government bodies, a situation that affected his emotional stability and shows the difficulties that defenders face in obtaining appropriate support.
Another crucial element is the situation of their children, who have had to leave the community and change educational centers to avoid new risks. Despite this, his mother continues to lead meetings, supervise areas affected by crude oil, and participate in national and international spaces where she warns of the repercussions. Amazon peoples.
The international award once again places at the center of the debate the urgent need to address the effects of this phenomenon Oil pollution and threats against those who defend forests. It also strengthens the role of indigenous women, especially in areas where nature is defended in hostile conditions and without full security guarantees.