Alejandro Guevara: “It was the communities who built the resistance against metallic mining”

Gloria Orellana : CoLatino

alejandro"As relatives of the victims, we are still awaiting for justice to be made, and this event is to commemorate and recognize their lives," said Alejandro Guevara, at the seven anniversary mass and community event that honored the memory of environmentalists Marcelo Rivera, Dora Sorto, her unborn son (Enmanuel), and Ramiro Rivera.

The mass held at the community of La Trinidad, Sensuntepeque, Cabañas, brought together various non-governmental organizations, community members and relatives of the victims.

Read more ...

Water Forum of El Salvador: Water law secretly negotiated by goverment and private sector

Press release

The Water Forum denounces secret negotiation of the General Water Law between the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Economy and ANEP

In 2006 the Water Forum delivered the first proposal for a "General Water Law" to the Legislative Assembly, yet our country still does not have a regulatory framework governing the different uses of water.

In October 2015, the Water Forum met with the President Salvador Sanchez Ceren and part of his Cabinet, to obtain the position of the Executive government regarding the General Water Law.  At that meeting, it was stated that there was no negotiation with the private sector and it was denied that a new water bill was being planned.

Read more ...

Archbishop of El Salvador reinforces the church´s position against mining

During his usual Sunday press conference on April 24th, the Archbishop of San Salvador, José Luis Escobar Alas, called once again on society to remain vigilant and prevent mining in El Salvador. He similarly called policy makers to not allow this economic activity in the country. 

Click on the image to see the video 


Sin título 3

TRANSCRIPTION AND TRANSLATION BELOW:

“Mining is a very serious, very damaging problem. Hopefully mining will not take place in our country, because open pit mining can cause so much damage.”

As cyanide is released into the environment, it breakdown into cyanates which are always absolutely lethal, they will pollute our aquifers. We are already threatened with the Cerro Blanco mine in Guatemala, if it becomes exploited it will contaminate Lake Güija and by extension the Lempa river would also be contaminated.”

“I call upon society to remain vigilant to prevent mining in our country because it will cause a lot of damage to people, animals and plants. It is not fair that this country so small and densely populated has to suffer the serious problem of environmental pollution because of cyanide.”

“And of course, the call also goes to the authorities of our country and the members of the legislative assembly not to allow that, for the sake of our country. We can see that it is the exploitation of a transnational foreign corporations that ultimately leaves very little to our country but it will harm it greatly.”

“It is not possible to conceive that anyone who loves El Salvador could be in favor of mining.”

Archbishop of El Salvador reinforces the church´s position against mining

During his usual Sunday press conference on April 24th, the Archbishop of San Salvador, José Luis Escobar Alas, called once again on society to remain vigilant and prevent mining in El Salvador. He similarly called policy makers to not allow this economic activity in the country. 

Click on the image to see the video 


Sin título 3

TRANSCRIPTION AND TRANSLATION BELOW:

“Mining is a very serious, very damaging problem. Hopefully mining will not take place in our country, because open pit mining can cause so much damage.”

As cyanide is released into the environment, it breakdown into cyanates which are always absolutely lethal, they will pollute our aquifers. We are already threatened with the Cerro Blanco mine in Guatemala, if it becomes exploited it will contaminate Lake Güija and by extension the Lempa river would also be contaminated.”

“I call upon society to remain vigilant to prevent mining in our country because it will cause a lot of damage to people, animals and plants. It is not fair that this country so small and densely populated has to suffer the serious problem of environmental pollution because of cyanide.”

“And of course, the call also goes to the authorities of our country and the members of the legislative assembly not to allow that, for the sake of our country. We can see that it is the exploitation of a transnational foreign corporations that ultimately leaves very little to our country but it will harm it greatly.”

“It is not possible to conceive that anyone who loves El Salvador could be in favor of mining.”