The demonstrations continue this Wednesday, June 18 in Lívingston, Izabal, Where settlers block the passage of vehicles at kilometer 279.5 of the CA-13 route, Aldea San Antonio Sejá.
The General Directorate of Road Protection and Safety indicated in its report that the blockade began on June 16 in the aforementioned kilometer.
According to local media reports, protesters reject a mining project in the sector. In addition, they have shared images in which long lines of vehicles are observed on the road, mostly of heavy transport.
The protesters have placed awnings and trunks on the road to prevent vehicular mobility. According to the same media, the settlers ask for the cancellation of authorized licenses for mining activity in that municipality.
On June 16, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) reported that on April 24 he attended a citation of Izabal district deputies to listen to the concerns of representatives of 53 Lívingston communities about the possible environmental impact of mining activity in the Sierra Santa Cruz, water source for these communities.
The MARN said that, in response, he promised to inspect the 10 mining projects (two exploitation and eight exploration) that received an environmental license in 2023 but still have no operation license from the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
He indicated that inspections in the wooded area where these projects are located concluded on May 15. According to the entity, on June 16 he sent the inspection reports to all interested parties, as agreed.
However, according to residents, the MARN has not presented themselves to the dialogue table in which representatives of the communities dissatisfied with the mining activity participate.
Given the demonstration, the Guatemalan Chamber of Industry expressed its rejection of any type of blockade, which “not only affect the industrial sector, but other activities such as educational, trade and, in general, the Guatemalans.”
“The negative effects have an impact on the costs of the productive chain and, therefore, the prices of the products of the basic basket increase,” he added.
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