Cablegate: Venezuela: Nomination for the Secretary of State's

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PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHCV #2037 2911734
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 181734Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9927
INFO RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS CARACAS 002037

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KWMN PHUM KPAO VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELA: NOMINATION FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S
AWARD FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE

REF: STATE 126072

1. (U) Embassy Caracas is pleased to nominate Isela I.
Iguaran for the Secretary's Award for International Women of
Courage, per reftel.

2. (U) Nominee: Isela I. Iguaran

3. (U) Title and Institution: President, Bloque Vecinal
Indigena (Indigenous Issues NGO)

4. (U) Date of Birth: February 14, 1957

5. (U) Contact Information: Mobile: 58-0416-562-5505; e-mail
iselawayuu@hotmail.com

6. (SBU) Justification: Isela Iguaran, President of the
Indigenous Issues NGO Bloque Vecinal Indigena, is a tireless
defender of the rights of the Wayuu indigenous people and a
long-time advocate of women's issues in Venezuela. (Note:
The Wayuu is one of the largest indigenous groups in
Venezuela with a population of approximately 17,000, mostly
concentrated in northwestern Venezuela. End Note.) Through
her work with Bloque Vecinal Indigena, she helped create over
100 neighborhood associations in Zulia state, western
Venezuela. Iguaran's leadership capabilities and sustained
commitment to these associations has equipped regional
activists with the skills necessary to tackle local problems,
effectively lobby elected officials, and develop positive
activities for their communities. Similarly, Iguaran has
been instrumental in the creation of 10 import-export
cooperatives aimed at producing greater social and economic
benefits for the Wayuu community along the
Venezuelan-Colombian border.

7. (SBU) Iguaran is staunchly committed to quality and
culturally-sensitive education. She has held several
administrative positions pertaining to education, including
Coordinator of Cultural Programs in Paez municipality and
Superintendent of Education of Zulia state. She currently
works as an elementary school teacher in western Venezuela.
Separately, Iguaran is a member of the Permanent Commission
on Indigenous Issues, Resources, and Environment of the Zulia
State Legislature.

8. (SBU) At a time when human rights defenders have become
the targets of increased scrutiny for their work in the
service of others, Iguaran has shown exceptional courage in
her unwavering dedication to demanding social, cultural, and
economic benefits for indigenous peoples and women. Though
the environment in which Iguaran works in is highly
politically polarized, she nevertheless remains committed to
securing these fundamental human rights for her community at
large.

10. (U) Embassy Caracas' officer responsible for women's
issues is Poloff Ms. Veronica Torres; phone: 58-212-907-8052;
e-mail: TorresV@state.gov.

DUDDY

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