Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ordered the expulsion of the New Tribes Mission evangelical group from indigenous regions on October 12, citing indigenous rights abuses and violation of national sovereignty. IPS News Agency reports that the New Tribes Mission is accused of cultural colonization and forced acculturation and religious conversion of indigenous peoples, as well as prospecting for geological and mineral wealth on behalf of transnational corporations. Chavez’s announcement was supported by 33 indigenous communities representing eight groups, including the Pemón, Warao, Uripacov, Yekuana, Chiriana and Arauco.
The New Tribes Mission has been active in Venezuela since 1946 and has close ties with the U.S.-based Summer Institute of Linguistics, whose purpose is to translate the bible into indigenous languages. New Tribes has missions in 17 countries and has long been accused of ignoring indigenous rights and culture. There are approximately 200 missionaries living in the southeast region of Venezuela.
