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Xoco arsonists leave behind a calling card after causing ecological disaster
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By Amazon River Sun Staff
NAYELI— Xoco arsonists Saturday set fire to an oilfield in Nayeli. The fire sent plumes of toxic black smoke rising over the jungle.
Persephone Bolero, CEO of Bolero Petroleum Resources LLC, which owns the oilfield, told the Amazon River Sun that, due to the lack of water infrastructure in the jungle, there’s no way to extinguish the blaze.
“It’s going to continue smoldering for a week. The sad irony is that the operation would have funded infrastructure projects that, among other things, could have put water pipes in the ground allowing firefighters to keep the jungle safe from fires. Thanks to the ecoterrorists these vital infrastructure projects won’t likely happen,” Bolero said.
The arson attack was committed sometime Saturday afternoon. At the time, Bolero was holding an ad hoc community meeting with members of various native tribes who had some concerns about the project.
Bolero said she was explaining to the natives all the benefits the company’s philanthropy would bring to the jungle, and many of those present were receptive. Unfortunately, she said, there is a faction of natives who hate progress, and that group threatened to do violence unless operations ceased.
“Some people fear change, and they’re willing to use violence to keep it from happening,” Bolero said.
The arsonists left behind a flag of the Xoco tribe, and the previous week Xoco Chieftess Khaing Zar had threatened vandalism and violence if the oil well was put into production.
During the community meeting, Xoco member Sunisa Minoptra, who is a part of the violent native faction, excused herself, saying she had another matter to attend to. The arson attack happened soon after.
The Sun was unable to reach Minoptra for comment.
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Toxic fumes rise off
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According to the company, the fumes from the fire could potentially cause serious health consequences and they’re urging anyone living in the areas of Rio Solimoes, Rio Grande or Nayeli to see a healer if they experience difficulty breathing, skin tumors, diarrhea, vomiting, eye irritation, spontaneous miscarriages, impotence or hair loss.
Even after the blaze is contained, Bolero said, the area will likely be a health hazard for years to come and could lead to lasting illnesses in the community.
“I tried to warn the natives that wanton destruction of the oilfield would turn a safe operation into a dangerous toxic mess. They wouldn’t listen,” Bolero said, adding that she expects some jungle species to go extinct as a result of the Xoco-caused incident.
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An environmental disaster
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When asked if she’s angry about the destruction of her oil company, Bolero said she’s only saddened that the natives won’t benefit from better sanitation and safety that the infrastructure projects her company was going to pay for would have brought.
Juan Gutierrez, owner of Juan’s Oilfield Services, said his business is destroyed and he will have to lay off one part-time employee.
“I’m so sad,” said the impoverished business owner.
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Juan Gutierrez looks sad as he returns to bush flying.
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Gutierrez said he will try to transfer the employee to his bush flying service, but he’s not sure if the skillset of a roughneck would be a good fit for a flight attendant position.
Bolero said that, prior to the arson attack, she had taken out an expansive insurance policy that covers losses on future production from criminal attacks and acts of war. As a result, she will not be suffering any losses and will even make a profit from the ill-fated venture.
Since natives hate progress so much, Bolero said she is going to use her profits to buy a fur coat and a gas-powered generator for the offices of the Amazon River Sun, of which she is the publisher.
“I just feel sorry for those who wanted to see the jungle prosper,” Bolero said.
