In El Salvador, environmental activists face increased threats as the government contemplates lifting a historic ban on metal mining, raising fears of sacrificing natural resources for economic gains.
Danielle Mackey reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Vidalina Morales, a prominent environmentalist, fears for her family's safety amid the government's signs of reversing a metal mining ban.
- Recent arrests of environmental activists, including Morales's son, under dubious charges, suggest an effort to intimidate opposition.
- President Nayib Bukele's popularity contrasts with concerns over authoritarian tendencies and the potential environmental and social costs of reviving mining.
Key quote:
“Gold mining competes with the human being for an essential resource."
— Andrés McKinley, a specialist in water and mining at the University of Central America in San Salvador
Why this matters:
Environmental activism in places like El Salvador represents a courageous stand against ecological degradation and the forces driving it, yet it comes with profound risks. This small Central American nation, rich in natural beauty but plagued by issues of poverty and violence, has become a battleground for those fighting to preserve its resources against industrial and developmental pressures.
Be sure to read EHN’s 2016 piece about mining in the Midwest: Michigan proposes approval for controversial Upper Peninsula mine near sacred tribal sites.
