Germana Carillo Few people know that last Saturday 23 March a new oil spill occurred in El Chaco, in the Amazonian province of Napo. The spill affected the Coca River basin, already seriously affected by the spills of 2020 and 2022. The oil industry commits a new attack against the Amazon. In silence
On March 23, a new oil spill occurred in the El Chaco canton, within the Amazonian province of Napo, an area previously affected by similar incidents in 2020 and 2022.
Oil slicks tragically surfaced in the Quijos River, an Amazon basin tributary, following what has been described as “a leak” in the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE), operated by the company OCP Ecuador.
The full extent of the spill is yet unknown, as neither the company nor the Ecuadorian government have released any details.
“We demand transparency in the face of this severe incident, which adds to those in 2020 and 2022 on the same pipeline and in the same basin, causing significant damage to nature and indigenous communities,” stated representatives from Amazon Frontlines.
OCP Ecuador’s response
Meanwhile, what is OCP Ecuador doing? They state, “we reaffirm our commitment to the country, the communities, and the environment, which is why OCP Ecuador S.A.’s efforts will not cease until a complete repair is accomplished.”
And yet, the concept of greenwashing remains intact, as the Amazon continues to suffer.
