Sánchez Ramírez, RD. – Paula Villanueva, a resident of The Lightning, one of the communities affected by the project tailings dam the Barrick Gold and Zambrana, Cotuí, reported the brutal repression exercised against the community members last year January 8th, when military forces intervened in the area in an attempt to guarantee access to the mining company.
"They're murderers; they want to kill us. Look how they wounded that priest (Johnny Durán); if they didn't kill him, it was a miracle. There are people here who are still injured, who have had to undergo surgery.", Villanueva expressed indignantly.
During the repression, which included the use of tear gas and pellet gunfire, at least nine community members were injured, in addition to the priest Johnny Durán, representative of the Diocese of La Vega, who tried to mediate in the conflict.
Scene of violence and repression
The day of the confrontation remains etched in the memory of community members, who claim the authorities' response was disproportionate.
Villanueva reported that among the injured is Lauterio Belén, a 56-year-old merchant from the community of Lajas, who was hit by a shotgun pellet that nearly cost him his life.
“The doctors told me that if the wound had been a little deeper, I shouldn't tell anyone.”, said Belén, still recovering from the attack.
At the scene, a month after the events, they could still be seen remains of 19 tear gas bombs and 21 pellet cartridges, evidence of the violent operation.
Accusations against Barrick Gold and the State
For the community members, the responsibility for the repression falls directly on Barrick Gold and government authorities who, according to them, They prioritize the interests of the mining company over the rights of the population.
Villanueva questioned the State's actions and denounced the company's pressure to impose the project, regardless of the impact on the communities.
"They're forcibly removing us. They want to relocate us without giving us what our lands are truly worth. And when we refuse, they repress us with violence.", he said.
The conflict remains open
The communities of The Orange Tree, The Ray, Ligo, Arroyo Vuelta, Plaja, The 3 Mouths and The 2 Palms They remain in resistance against the construction of the tailings dam, ensuring that They will not accept being displaced from their lands without fair compensation..
The government, for its part, has defended its actions, arguing that the project is still under evaluation and that feasibility studies are still in progress. However, for Villanueva and the other community members, the pressure exerted indicates that the decision has already been made.
"If they haven't even finished their studies yet, why are they attacking us like this? Why do they want to force us out? They had this planned from the beginning.", Villanueva sentenced.
This conflict was documented in a recent issue of the program Under The Spotlight, from the newspaper De Último Minuto, broadcast by The Six and under the direction of the journalist Pamela RojasThe investigation revealed community complaints, the repression they suffered, and concerns about the impact of the mining project in Sánchez Ramírez province.
Tensions in Zambrana continue, and communities warn that they will continue to resist until their rights are respected.
