Chevron, America's third largest company, may have to pay up to $27 billion in damages in a lawsuit arising from oil-drilling related pollution in the Amazon rain forest. Chevron dumped over 18 billion gallons of toxic wastewater in the Ecuador. The damage is the result of 23 years of oil extraction by Texaco, which Chevron bought in 2001, and Petroecuador, the national oil company.
The oil company fought for the trial to be held in Ecuador -- and now they find themselves facing judgment in a small court in lago agrio.
Unfortunately, even if the court does order the company to pay the full requested amount, chevron is determined not to fork over any cash. In a news report-style video of their own that questions every aspect of the case, they say that, "... If the verdict goes against it, it will appeal in ecuador and, if needed, will fight its enforcement."