Indigenous territories and socio-environmental conflicts in post-COVID-19 Latin America: (In)justices in the Kichwa community of Capirona (Napo, Ecuador)

Abstract

Socio-environmental conflicts in Indigenous territories of Latin America have intensified in the post-COVID-19 context, exacerbating historical vulnerabilities and generating new tensions among communities, the State, and extractive companies. This article analyzes the case of the Kichwa Community of Capirona, located in Napo Province, Ecuador, which has been affected by contamination processes derived from mining activities. The research was developed through geo-history as a theoretical–methodological tool, integrating social mapping, interviews with key stakeholders, community surveys, and the systematization of secondary information. For the socio-territorial assessment, the principles of Vivir Bien or “Buen Vivir,” as enshrined in the Ecuadorian Constitution, were employed as analytical axes. The findings reveal differentiated impacts of extractive processes on community organization, food security, access to water, collective health, and forest preservation. Additionally, evidence shows how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped both subsistence practices and rural–urban migration dynamics. This study provides empirical evidence to understand the intersectional effects between health crises, extractivism, and Indigenous territoriality, contributing to the discussion on socio-territorial (in)justices and the self-determination of Indigenous peoples in the Amazon.