• You are here:  
  • Home
  • News
  • Salvadoran Mining Ban
  • Resistance against metallic mining in El Salvador commemorates International Day Against Open Pit Mining

Details

Environmental movement presented a set of proposals to the FMLN candidate asking for greater commitment on the issues.

Cristian Melendez, LA PRENSA GRAFICA

Translated from: http://www.laprensagrafica.com/2014/02/23/sanchez-ceren-se-compromete-a-no-explotar-la-mineria 

The Movement of Victims Affected Climate Change and Corporations (MOVIAC) delivered a proposal to the presidential candidate of the FMLN, Salvador Sanchez Ceren, yesterday in San Isidro, Cabañas. The proposal asks the government to acquire a greater commitment not to allow the exploitation of metal mining in the country, particularly in the department of Cabañas.

The proposal, which was submitted by the MOVIAC, is supported by 10 NGOs. According to Ricardo Navarro, director of the Salvadoran Center for Appropriate Technology(CESTA) and one of the promoters of the proposal, was presented only to the FMLN slate because, "you are within two weeks of being elected and officially proclaimed President and Vice President”.

 

"The first thing we want to express to you is a reflection of global character. The way our society uses extracted resources, the nature, levels and types of consumption and the non-existent waste disposal practices are not sustainable," Navarro said.

In that sense, Sanchez Ceren pledged not to allow metal mining in the country. According to the candidate, the exploitation of metal mining is an attack on the population.

According to the candidate, the practice is a threat to the country and therefore reiterated its commitment not to grant exploitation licenses.

"The threat of the metal extraction is a threat to life. Everyone says that El Salvador has a wealth underground, having golden valleys and basins of silver, but what does it mean if we allow it to be removed. It will destroy our lives," said Ceren.

Downplays ex-senator's statement

The presidential candidate also referred to statements made ​​by the Republican former senator Jim DeMint , which warns that if the FMLN wins the presidential election on 9 March, the country will be "a paradise for gangs."

Sanchez Ceren considered the statements an aspect of the freedom of expression that exists in a democratic nation like the United States.

According to the candidate, DeMint is part of “a group of ex-senators that has been in constant campaign to instill fear, but the electorate has lost fear" said the candidate.

Meanwhile, members of the former movement UNIDAD attended the event to provide support for the presidential candidate of the FMLN.

According to Guillermo Lopez, member of UNIDAD, they support because "the FMLN platform adopted guidelines and committed to projects proposed ex-president Antonio Saca(who ran for UNIDAD in the first round) on their government program."