PBI-Guatemala has posted: “Today, #PBI accompanies the Peaceful Resistance of the Poqomam People in their sit-in. We were informed about the threats and verbal aggression that members of the resistance frequently suffer. While we were at the encampment, many trucks passed by, contributing to noise and air pollution. We observed how several trucks threw rubbish into the Las Vacas river, maintaining the high rate of water and environmental pollution in the territory.”
The situation in Chinautla
Prensa Comunitaria has reported: “The indigenous authorities of the Poqomam people of the municipality of Chinautla began on Monday, June 27 [in 2022], a resistance sit-in for the illegal operation of the company called Piedrinera ‘San Luis’, which is dedicated to extracting sand in that place.”
That article also notes: “According to the Peace Brigades International, PBI, several sand companies operating in the territory, including the Arenera ‘La Primavera’, Arenera ‘El Pino’, Piedrinera ‘San Luis’ and Arenera ‘San Fernando’ pollute the Las Vacas River, which passes through Chinautla.”
Another article in Prensa Comunitaria further explains: “The La Primavera and Piedrinera San Luis sand mines, which have been operating illegally with expired licenses since 2022, and have not obtained an extension to operate.”
The PBI-Guatemala Project has been accompanying the Chinautla Multisector Urban Platform since December 2018.
