A U.S. mining company has launched a $16.5 billion lawsuit against Colombia. 

What did Colombia do to earn this dubious distinction? Well, the government stopped a deadly gold mine that was threatening the Amazon rainforest. 

Not only does the Colombian government have a right to protect the world’s most diverse rainforest from profit-hungry mining interests -- it has a duty to do so.

This lawsuit is just but one example of corporations undermining national sovereignty for the sake of private profits. We can't let corporations sue governments when they can't make a profit.

Tell Tobie Mining and Energy to drop its lawsuit.

Tobie Mining and Energy executives claim that Colombia created a National Park in the Amazon rainforest where the mining giant had a concession to mine for gold. Under the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, Tobie claims Colombia is liable for the company’s lost investment.

Tobie’s lawsuit demands that Colombia reverse its decision and allow the company to mine for gold in the national park, or fork over $16.5 billion -- more than 22 percent of Colombia’s national budget.

Corporations can't sue countries simply because their profit making interests conflict with protecting essential resources for the environment. The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) enables secret courts which will make it very easy for corporations to sue countries for standing in the way of profits. We could see countries getting sued for protecting their water, land and essential resources from profit-hungry corporations.

Our community is organising against the ratification of the TPP in Canada, the US, Peru and many more. Let's make sure corporations like Tobie also know that we won't stand for ludicrous lawsuits!  

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