In January The Santa Marta Five water defenders were officially acquitted of all charges after a San Vicente tribunal reaffirmed their innocence. The Santa Marta Five; Miguel Ángel Gámez, Alejandro Laínez García, Pedro Antonio Rivas Laínez, Antonio Pacheco, and Saúl Agustín Rivas Ortega are prominent environmental and community leaders who led the historic campaign that made their country the first in the world to ban metal mining in 2017. In January 2023, Salvadoran authorities arrested the five men on politically motivated charges of murder, kidnapping, and illicit association allegedly dating back 30+ years to the Salvadoran civil war. The case initiated an international campaign for justice for the five designating them as the Santa Marta Five Water Defenders.
This webinar will discuss what the victory in their acquittal means for the next steps to keep mining out of El Salvador.
GUEST SPEAKERS
- John Cavanagh (MODERATOR): Institute for Policy Studies
- Alexis Stoumbelis: Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador - CISPES
- Pedro Cabezas: International Allies / Central American Alliance on Mining - ACAFREMIN
- Laura Avalos: Public Service Alliance of Canada / Americas Policy Group
- Alfredo Leiva: Community of Santa Marta, Cabañas, El Salvador
