Yesterday WOLA was pleased to hear President Mauricio Funes of El Salvador announce that his administration will fully investigate the recent murders of three community environmental leaders in the department of Cabañas and that during his presidency he would not authorize any mining extraction projects.
Dora Alicia Sorto Recinos and Ramiro Rivera were killed on separate occasions by gunmen in late December, while Marcelo Rivera (no relation) was disappeared and later found dead with signs of torture in June 2009. The murders are part of a series of alarming cases involving the threats and intimidation that have been carried out against activists who have opposed mining projects in Cabañas. WOLA has closely followed these cases and yesterday issued a letter to Attorney General Romeo Barahona urging the immediate investigation into the murders and series of threats that have been carried out in Cabañas.
To read the letter click here (in Spanish only).
