When the people voted against oil exploration

In August 2023, citizens of Ecuador made a historic decision regarding the future of oil exploration in one of the country’s most ecologically significant regions. The population voted overwhelmingly—by 58.95 percent—to halt all extractive activities in the block 43-ITT (Ishpingo-Tambococha-Tiputini), located within the Yasuní National Park in the Amazon rainforest. This area is home to thousands of species of plants and animals, as well as indigenous communities, including isolated groups. It also contains some of the largest oil reserves in the nation. The vote marked a pivotal moment in Ecuadorian environmental policy, reflecting broader tensions between economic interests and ecological preservation.

The decision came at a time when governments around the world were increasingly vying for control over fossil fuel resources, gas, and minerals. However, Ecuador—a major producer of oil in South America since the 1970s—chose to restrict its exploitation in this particular region. The move was framed within the political discourse surrounding the concept of “buen vivir,” or “living well,” which has deep roots in indigenous thought and has gained traction in national politics over the past few decades.

According to a doctoral thesis presented at the University of São Paulo in 2024 by researcher Janaína Marx Pinheiro, the idea of buen vivir originated among indigenous organizations during the 1980s and 1990s. These groups emphasized the interconnectedness of human life, territories, and nature, advocating for a model of existence that prioritizes collective sustainability rather than individual prosperity or economic growth. This philosophy became more prominent in public debates as the expansion of oil and mining industries intensified conflicts over land use and development models.

Ecuador has long been dependent on petroleum exports, which have historically contributed significantly to the country's economy. Despite this reliance, the growing influence of indigenous movements led to substantial changes in governance. In 2008, Ecuador adopted a new constitution that enshrined buen vivir as a guiding principle for state action and recognized the rights of nature, known as Pachamama. This constitutional shift reflected a broader movement toward recognizing the intrinsic value of ecosystems and indigenous ways of life.

However, the government under President Rafael Correa had previously attempted to negotiate international support for leaving the ITT block unexplored in exchange for financial compensation. That initiative failed, leading to the authorization of oil extraction in 2013. Decades later, the public referendum in 2023 reversed that decision, highlighting the power of grassroots mobilization and the integration of indigenous perspectives into national policy—even though contradictions remain between constitutional principles and ongoing extractive projects.

Despite the constitutional recognition of nature's rights, the Ecuadorian state continues to rely heavily on oil revenues. The same government that embraced the philosophy of buen vivir has simultaneously pursued large-scale extractive projects deemed essential by successive administrations. The Yasuní referendum did not eliminate these contradictions but demonstrated the strength of an indigenous political agenda that has become embedded, albeit unevenly, within the fabric of the Ecuadorian state.

The concept of buen vivir has continued to shape discussions about the country's future direction. It has also resonated beyond Ecuador, influencing indigenous and Black women's movements in Brazil as they seek alternative visions of development rooted in community and ecological balance. While the outcome of the Yasuní referendum does not guarantee the end of all extractive activity, it underscores the enduring impact of indigenous philosophies on national policies and global conversations about sustainable living.