In recent weeks the newspaper La Tribuna has reported the emergence of
a new group called the Ecological Armed Front (FEA), made up of
approximately 60 men, including former members of the Sandinista army, the
Ministry of the Interior, the Resistance, and the re-armed contra group
Northern Front-380. A communique recently issued by the group explains
that they have taken up arms to defend against the "unscrupulous loggers
who are principally responsible for the destruction of the environment [in
the northern regions of the country]."
Last week, the group confiscated 25 chainsaws and burned them in the
central plaza of Puerto Viejo, 70 kilometers east of the municipality of
Waslala, as "a warning against people and companies that dedicate
themselves to cutting down forests and destroying natural resources." The
FEA declares that one of its principal objectives is to bring government
corruption to an end, and claims that it will not respect licenses granted
by the Minister of Natural Resources which give people permission to cut.
"Andres," a leader of the FEA, says his group enjoys significant support
from "well-known environmentalists" in the country.
Nicaraguan Environmental Movement (MAN) President Rodolfo Blandon
announced that the first days of October will see roadblocks by MAN
activists and their supporters on the main highways in Jinotega and
Matagalpa, in an effort to stop the ongoing deforestation in the area. He
also notes that indigenous groups who live in Bosawas, a national forest
reserve, are mobilizing to protect the reserve.
In support of this struggle, the Nicaragua Network, the Rainforest
Action Network, and the Rainforest Action Group of Philadelphia have called
for a "day of action" to take place on November 10 to pressure the
Nicaraguan government to respect the autonomy of the peoples of the
Caribbean Coast and to protest the devastation of the rainforest due to
logging and mining activities. Demonstrations will be held at the
Nicaraguan embassies in Washington, DC and several European capitals, as
well as at Nicaraguan consulates in New York, Miami, and San Francisco.
Actions are also planned for Managua and Bilwi (formerly Puerto Cabezas,
the capital of the Northern Atlantic Autonomous Region). Activists in
other locations will be calling and faxing embassies, organizing
educational events, and collecting signatures on petitions to send to
President Aleman. To receive a "Day of Action" organizing packet, call the
Nicaragua Network at (202) 544-9355, or send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
