Sovereign Forces: Everyday Challenges to Environmental Governance in Latin America

Sovereignty is a powerful force in the ownership, use, protection, and management of natural resources, and this book explores the complex relationship between natural resources and diverse claims to resource sovereignty in Latin America. It highlights the value of these relationships to environmental governance and peacebuilding.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 286 pages
Publication date: 09 June 2023
Publisher: Berghahn Books

Sovereignty holds immense significance in the realm of natural resource ownership, utilization, protection, and management. By delving into the intricate web of connections between natural resources and various claims to resource sovereignty, this book uncovers the historical roots of contemporary resource disputes in Latin America and their placement within a broader context of extraction in the region. Through the examination of cases involving resource contestation in Bolivia, Colombia, and Guatemala, Sovereign Forces underscores the invaluable role of these relationships in fostering environmental governance and peacebuilding within the region.

Sovereignty encompasses the exercise of authority and control over natural resources, encompassing their acquisition, utilization, conservation, and management. It is a fundamental concept that shapes the dynamics of resource allocation, utilization, and distribution. In the context of Latin America, sovereignty plays a pivotal role in shaping the outcomes of resource contestations.

Latin America has a rich history of resource extraction, dating back to the colonial era. The region's natural resources, including minerals, oil, gas, and forests, have been the subject of intense competition and conflict. As countries sought to expand their economic and political influence, they often clashed over the ownership, control, and utilization of these resources.

The concept of resource sovereignty gained prominence in the late 20th century as a response to these conflicts. It emphasizes the right of countries to control and manage their natural resources within their borders, regardless of external influences or claims. Resource sovereignty is based on the principle of self-determination, which asserts that countries have the right to determine their own destiny and develop their resources in accordance with their own needs and interests.

In Latin America, resource sovereignty has been particularly relevant in the context of the ongoing disputes over land and natural resources. Countries in the region have long been divided over the ownership and use of land, particularly in areas with valuable resources such as oil, gas, and forests. These disputes have often been fueled by political, economic, and social factors, including colonial legacies, national borders, and indigenous rights.

One of the most notable cases of resource sovereignty in Latin America is the dispute over the Amazon rainforest. The Amazon is the world's largest tropical rainforest, home to an estimated 390 billion trees and numerous indigenous communities. The region has been the subject of intense exploitation and deforestation, driven by the demand for agricultural land, logging, and mining.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement to protect the Amazon and assert the rights of indigenous communities to manage and use their land. This movement has been led by organizations such as the Amazonian Indigenous Peoples' Association (APIB) and the Brazilian government, which has implemented policies to reduce deforestation and promote sustainable development in the region.

Another significant case of resource sovereignty in Latin America is the dispute over oil and gas resources in the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf is home to vast reserves of oil and gas, which have been the subject of intense competition and conflict between countries in the region. In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf, resulting in the largest oil spill in U.S. history. The spill had significant environmental and economic consequences, and it highlighted the need for stronger regulations and oversight of oil and gas exploration and production.

Resource sovereignty has also played a role in the ongoing conflicts in Colombia and Guatemala. In Colombia, the country has been plagued by decades of armed conflict, which has been driven by the conflict over land and natural resources. The country's largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), has been involved in the drug trade and has used natural resources to fund its operations. The government has sought to address these issues through peace negotiations and the implementation of policies to promote sustainable development and reduce the illegal exploitation of natural resources.

In Guatemala, the country has faced similar challenges to Colombia, with ongoing conflicts over land and natural resources. The country's indigenous communities have long been marginalized and have faced discrimination and violence. The government has implemented policies to promote indigenous rights and address the illegal exploitation of natural resources, but these efforts have faced resistance from powerful actors in the country's economy and politics.

In conclusion, sovereignty holds immense significance in the ownership, use, protection, and management of natural resources. In Latin America, resource sovereignty has been a key factor in shaping the outcomes of resource contestations. The region's rich history of resource extraction and the ongoing disputes over land and natural resources have highlighted the need for stronger regulations and oversight of resource development and utilization. By asserting the rights of countries to control and manage their natural resources within their borders, resource sovereignty can help promote environmental sustainability, social justice, and peacebuilding in the region.

ISBN-13: 9781800739314