Defending Natural Resources

The defense of our environment and natural resources is a common struggle of people in the United States and our Salvadoran sisters and brothers. We have and we still accompany struggles for clean water, protection from transnational mining companies, and agricultural practices that prioritize healthy people over healthy profits, among others. We believe it is essential to join forces and learn from the challenges and successes of each other.

We accompanied CRIPDES’ struggle and victory against metalic mining:

The fight against Metalic Mining

The anti-mining campaign has been one of the greatest victories of the organizing we support and are a part of. A Canadian mining company began efforts to initiate mining in the northern department of Chalatenango in 2005 after significant reserves of gold were discovered. The company wasn’t anticipating the swift response of the organized people of Chalatenango, led by CRIPDES and accompanied by their U.S. sistered cities.

The people were steadfast in declaring “No to Mining,” and through over a decade of community outreach and education, political pressure, and strategic international campaigns, succeeded in defeating the company in an international trade court, and ultimately passing a law  prohibiting mining in El Salvador definitively. US-El Salvador Sister Cities participated in demonstrations in North America, publicity campaigns, and several delegations to bring international attention to the issue in El Salvador.

At the same time, many of our U.S. committees, such as groups in Wisconsin and Maine, were facing threats from mining companies in their own territories. The connections drawn between the struggles in both countries provided moral support and inspiration for all involved, and proved strategic in pressuring to defend natural resources.

Our Environmental working group

The environmental struggle is far from over. USESSC has acknowledged the importance of discussing the effects of climate change in the lives of people in the U.S. but also in the lives of those in most vulnerable conditions in El Salvador.

All of our delegations include conversations regarding lack of water, droughts, wildfires or displacement due to lack of food security.

If you are interested in joining the calls of our working group, supporting CRIPDES communities or getting more resources to raise awareness about this issue in your area, contact us. We are eager to create new connections.

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