What's happened
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has called for the reversal of a seven-year ban on metals mining, claiming it could transform the economy. This proposal has sparked backlash from environmental groups and the Catholic Church, which warn of potential harm to water resources. The political landscape favors Bukele's initiative.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to AP News, President Bukele's proposal to lift the mining ban has been met with significant criticism from Archbishop José Luis Escobar Alas, who stated, 'It will damage this country forever.' Environmental groups echo these concerns, emphasizing the potential for water contamination. Conversely, Bukele's administration argues that mining could provide economic benefits, with Bukele himself claiming that unmined gold represents 'wealth that could transform El Salvador.' This stark contrast in perspectives highlights the ongoing debate over economic development versus environmental protection.
How we got here
In 2017, El Salvador implemented a ban on all metals mining to protect water resources, supported by a coalition including the Catholic Church. Recently, Bukele criticized the ban as 'absurd' and proposed 'modern and sustainable' mining practices, despite previous support for the ban during his 2019 campaign.
More on these topics
-
Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez is a Salvadoran politician and businessman who is the 46th and current President of El Salvador who has served since 1 June 2019 after winning the 2019 election.
-
El Salvador, officially the Republic of El Salvador, is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. It is bordered on the northeast by Honduras, on the northwest by Guatemala, and on the south by the Pacific Ocean. El Salvador'
-
The Catholic Church, sometimes referred to as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with approximately 1.3 billion baptised Catholics worldwide as of 2018.