In 1993, a group of Ecuadorian citizens of the Oriente region filed a class action lawsuit in US federal court against Texaco (Aguinda v. Texaco), and in 1994 a group of Peruvian citizens living downstream from the Oriente region also filed a class action lawsuit against Texaco in US federal court (Jota v. Texaco). Both complaints alleged that between 1964 and 1992 Texaco’s oil operations polluted the rainforests and rivers in Ecuador and Peru, resulting in environmental damage and damage to the health of those who live in the region. Both lawsuits were dismissed by the US federal court in 2002 on forum non conveniens grounds (i.e., the court stated that Ecuador was a more appropriate venue for litigating these claims). In connection with the dismissal, Texaco agreed that courts in Ecuador and/or Peru would have jurisdiction over the plaintiffs' claims.
In 2003, a class action lawsuit was brought against Texaco (which had been acquired by Chevron) in Ecuador alleging severe environmental contamination of the land where Texaco conducted its oil operation activities. Judicial inspections of the allegedly contaminated sites commenced in August 2004. In early 2008, an independent expert recommended to the court that Chevron should pay $7-16 billion in compensation for the pollution. In 2008, Chevron has reportedly lobbied the US Government to end trade preferences with Ecuador over the lawsuit. The trial in Ecuador is ongoing.
- "Texaco Toxic Past Haunts Chevron as Judgment Looms", Michael Smith & Karen Gullo, Bloomberg, 30 Dec 2008
- "A $16 Billion Problem", Michael Isikoff, Newsweek, 26 Jul 2008
- "Nueve ecuatorianos demandan a Texaco", Olga Imbaquingo, Diario el Comercio [Ecuador], 26 abril 2006
- "Amazon Indians Say Texaco Left Damage", Gonzalo Solano, Associated Press, 20 Oct 2005
- “Chevron Trial Opens”, Alan Zibel, Oakland Tribune, 21 Oct 2003
- Texaco: Texaco in Ecuador [includes links to US court decisions, certain filings by Texaco and status of Ecuadorian proceedings]
- Texaco: [ES] Texaco en Ecuador [incluye enlaces a decisiones judiciales en los EEUU, varios documentos de Texaco y el estado actual de los procedimientos en Ecuador – material sólo en inglés]
- Amazon Defense Coalition [NGO supporting plaintiffs]: Chevron on Trial
- Earthrights International [filed brief in support of plaintiffs in the US proceedings]: Jota v. Texaco and Aguinda v. Texaco
