El Salvador archbishop blasts mining law change

[ad_1]

Catholic leaders in Central America expressed alarm over the idea of repealing a national prohibition on extractive activities in El Salvador -- putting the church in opposition to the country's popular president.

Archbishop José Luis Escobar Alas of San Salvador told reporters at a Dec. 1 press conference that President Nayib Bukele's nascent enthusiasm for gold mining would "cause grave, irrevocable damage to people's lives and health and that doesn't have a price."

"They take everything," the archbishop said of multinational mining companies in the region. "What they have left to these countries is 1 percent of what they declare. How is that possible? It's plunder." He continued, "They say today that there is mining that doesn't harm the environment. It's a lie. It's all a lie. All mining damages the environment. All without exception."

Central American bishops, meanwhile, said in a Nov. 29 statement after its 82nd general assembly held in El Salvador, "We urgently call on governments to adopt responsible and sustainable policies that respect the dignity of peoples and our common home and that do not allow mining exploitation as it is necessary to prioritize human life and the environment over economic interests that perpetuate social and ecological damage."

The Catholic Church has advocated for environmental issues and water preservation in El Salvador -- a small, arid country the size of Massachussettes with a long history of poverty, violence and outward migration. The church joined with nongovernmental groups and civil society to achieve a ban on mining and extractive activities in the country in 2017 as a measure to protect scarce water resources from contamination.

On Nov. 27, Bukele posted a thread on X, outlining El Salvador's gold mining potential with the headline, "God placed a giant treasure under our feet."

Bukele claimed the gold reserves in El Salvador were valued at 8,800% of GDP. "Exploiting this wealth could transform El Salvador … And all this with modern and sustainable mining, taking care of our environment."

He added, "This wealth, given by God, can be harnessed responsibly to bring unprecedented economic and social development to our people."

Bukele has been popular in El Salvador for a crackdown on criminal gangs -- drastically driven down the homicide rate, while swelling the country's prison population. His party controls congress, making any measure repealing the mining ban likely to be approved.

The Catholic Church in El Salvador has avoided conflicts with Bukele, who responds forcefully against critics.

Archbishop Escobar said in a Dec. 1 statement, issued by the Archdiocese of San Salvador, that El Salvador's resources had already been overexploited and "could not bear another mining pillage as it would increase deforestation, erosion, the loss of fertile soil and, worst of all, the contamination of air and water."

[ad_1]

Source link : http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=674f3e89a3194d338b88fae6389f3b8f&url=https%3A%2F%2Fangelusnews.com%2Fnews%2Fworld%2Fel-savador-gold-mining%2F&c=11076232069449414789&mkt=en-us Author : Publish date : 2024-12-03 03:28:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source .

El Salvador archbishop blasts mining law change

Caribbean volcano Kick ’em Jenny: Ships warned off area

Only Two Countries Show Increase

Only Two Countries Show Increase

Costa Rica Teams Up with Global Leaders to Revolutionize Green Tourism Through Eco-Friendly and Community-Centric Solutions

Life-Changing Impact: Free Medical Care for Over 1,400 Patients in St. Lucia!

Unlocking Potential: The Case for Prioritizing U.S. Mining

Arizona Soars: A Stellar Rise in ESPN FPI Rankings and AP Poll!

Saint Lucia in the Spotlight: What a Potential Travel Ban Could Mean for Caribbean CBI Nations

Arkansas Soybean Farmers Poised for Gains from China Deal, Yet Experts Warn of Potential Challenges Ahead

Unlocking Renewable Energy: St. Vincent & the Grenadines’ Innovative Closed-Loop Geothermal Project

California Takes a Stand: Gavin Newsom Launches New Portal to Tackle ICE Agent Misconduct

Exploring the Impact of the Landmark United States v. Carolene Products Co. Case

Choose Your Nation: GOP Senator Advocates for Ending Dual Citizenship!

Categories

Archives