Caught on Tape: Serious Judicial Misconduct and Political Influence Taint Ecuador Lawsuit

Monday, Aug. 31st 2009

READ MORE ABOUT THE VIDEO, INCLUDING THE ECUADOR JUDGE’S STATEMENTS INDICATING PREJUDGEMENT OF THE CHEVRON CASE, DETAILS OF THE BRIBES, AND COMPLETE TRANSCRIPTS OF THE VIDEO. … From September 2nd read, The Amazon Defense Coalition has full confidence in the Ecuadorian judicial system? … From September 3rd read, Ecuador Judge’s Story Contradictory… From September 4th read, Judge Núñez admits he needs to step aside; Amazon Defense Coalition proven wrong … In an update from September 8th, Judge Nunez violated the law when he accepted meetings with individuals seeking environmental remediation contracts. 

San Francisco Chronicle blog – Chevron Ecuador issue: video showing Judge talking bribe authentic

Wednesday, Mar. 3rd 2010

Ecuador Ministry of Justice Engineer Hugo Rekalde issued a statement today, Tuesday, that the video taken of an Ecuadorian Judge named Juan Evangelista Nunez involved in a conversation over an alleged bribe that the Judge would get part of if he were to rule against Chevron in their case against Ecuador (and note, not the indigenous people, because Ecuador's a party to the lawsuit). Read more »

San Francisco Chronicle – Chevron, plaintiffs seek gains as verdict nears

Tuesday, Mar. 2nd 2010

In other recent developments: -- A report last month from another court-appointed expert showed that water in the area is heavily contaminated with fecal bacteria. Chevron has long argued that contamination from bacteria - not oil - is responsible for health problems in the region. -- An investigation into one of the case's previous judges found Monday that clandestinely recorded videos of the judge, released by Chevron last year, were authentic and unaltered. The videos show Judge Juan Nunez discussing the case with two men seeking oil field cleanup contracts. At one point, the judge agrees with a statement from one of the men that Chevron is the "guilty party" in the case. The incident prompted a government investigation. Read more »

The Daily Caller – Latin America’s future depends on the rule of law

Monday, Mar. 1st 2010

Over the course of good years and bad, the countries of Latin America have recently been taking diverging paths to very different futures. In one camp are countries such as Chile, Colombia and Panama, which are actively promoting the rule of law. By fostering an investment climate that supports job creation and economic growth, they have advanced the prosperity of their citizens. In another camp are countries such as Bolivia, Ecuador and Nicaragua, which have taken stances inimical to the rule of law and hostile to international investment. Unsurprisingly, they have seen growth and investment collapse. The difference in outcome is stark. The UN’s Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean has for several years reported that countries in the second group have attracted almost no foreign direct investment, and economic growth and job creation have suffered. Read more »

Poder 360 – Ecuador and Iran Sign Hydroelectricity Agreement

Wednesday, Mar. 10th 2010

Representatives from both countries signed an agreement for the construction of three hydroelectricity plants in Ecuador Read more »

Tehran Times – Iran to build power plants in Ecuador

Wednesday, Mar. 10th 2010

Iran plans to build two power plants in Ecuador, First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi has been reported as saying. “Both sides agreed to expand cooperation in all fields,” he said, on the sidelines of his meeting with Ecuadorian First Vice President Lenin Moreno in Tehran on Sunday, the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network reported. Read more »

Latin American Herald Tribune – Ecuador Says It Has “Plan B” If Yasuni Initiative Fails

Monday, Mar. 8th 2010

President Rafael Correa said Saturday his administration has a “plan B” up its sleeve in the event the Yasuni-ITT initiative – a proposal by Ecuador to leave Amazon oil in the ground in exchange for international compensation – is unsuccessful. Read more »