A delegation of Sarayaku community members traveled from Ecuador to Buenos Aires on November 9 to request that President Nestor Kirchner step into the conflict between the Sarayaku community and the Argentine oil company, Compania General de Combustibles. The group staged a demonstration in front of the government palace where they were supported by Argentine indigenous and social organizations. Though Sarayaku rights to their territory were officially recognized in 1992, in 1996 the Argentine oil company signed an agreement with the Ecuadorian government to allow oil exploration. This agreement was reached without consultation with the Sarayaku community, though the constitution requires their involvement.
