#EyesOnSantaMarta

CoDevelopment Canada stands in solidarity with the international community in calling for the government of Nayib Bukele to drop the politically motivated charges against the five community leaders and environmental activists Miguel Ángel Gámez, Alejandro Laínez García, Pedro Antonio Rivas Laínez, Antonio Pacheco, and Saúl Agustín Rivas Ortega.

CONTEXT:

On January 11, 2023, the five activists Miguel Ángel Gámez, Alejandro Laínez García, Pedro Antonio Rivas Laínez, Antonio Pacheco, and Saúl Agustín Rivas Ortega were arrested and accused of a crime based-on the shifting testimony of a single witness. There is no justice or legal basis for these accusations.

These arbitrary arrests are profoundly concerning as they violate both El Salvador's internationally recognized Peace Agreement and the National Reconciliation Law, both signed in 1992. The five water defenders were FMLN combatants during the 1980-1992 civil war in El Salvador. Without credible evidence, they have been charged with murder, unlawful deprivation of liberty, and unlawful association – alleged crimes that took place 33 years ago within the context of the civil war. Water protectors in El Salvador say these arrests are politically motivated and a strategy to demobilize strong community opposition to mining at this critical moment.

The five water defenders played a key role in the 2017 historic ban on metal mining in El Salvador.

In March 2017, El Salvador became the first country to ban open-pit mining—a huge win in a David-versus-Goliath story! This ban culminated in more than a decade of the Salvadoran people's struggle to protect their small country and its precious water from attack by global mining companies. Over 90% of the country's surface water was contaminated at that time with toxic chemicals and heavy metals.

Now, as part of international companies and Bukele's interest in mining and fossil fuel exploration, condemning the water defenders as part of a plan to lift the historical ban and exploit the bring back mining activities to the country.

The history of mining in El Salvador is one of violence, escalating inequality, and environmental devastation, leading to the contamination of wildlife, vegetation, and communities.

Stand in solidarity with Santa Marta 5 action and pledge to demand justice!

#SantaMartaNoEstaSola  #ComunidadSantaMarta #ADESNoEstáSola #EyesOnSantaMarta