The defenders of the Chilean village Caimanes are facing legal action today after having denounced that water is being usurped by one of the wealthiest families in the world.

You are surely already aware of what is happening to the village of Caimanes in central Chile (see the documentary “Damnés de l’eau/Cursed by water” which has been shared many times). This village is in danger of becoming buried at any time by thousands of tons of mining waste accumulated by a ruthless multinational mining company. Since this highly toxic waste reservoir was built (the 3rd largest one in the world), the village of Caimanes has seen its rivers completely dry out because their water tables are “imprisoned” inside the toxic basin which was set up a few kilometers. The water, which has since then completely disappeared from the valley, is actually blocked behind tons of toxic waste. This toxic waste is delivered in mud form and must never dry out, according to the “normal” process of treating this residue. Today an immense lake has been created close to the village. Until 2008 this took up all the water reserves of the village.

Not satisfied with depriving the community of water, ruining the cultural, social and economic life of local agricultural workers and endangering their lives, the mining company Los Pelambres, owned by the Luksic family, one of the richest families in the world, are giving themselves the luxury of taking the lawyers who defend the community and the head of the Caimanes defense committee to court. They are all threatened with imprisonment, and the lawyers risk losing their licenses because they have defended the villagers against this mining giant.

The trial will be held in Ovalle, Chile. Today it is fundamental that we express our solidarity with the people of Caimanes and show that the actions of these mega-enterprises are intolerable. Not only do they contaminate the environment and ruin the living conditions of the inhabitants, but they are also attempting today at all costs to silence the voices that they have not managed to buy.

Anyone who is interested in starting up and participating in an international support committee for the people of Caimanes can get in touch. The situation in Caimanes is not only specific to Caimanes. Let’s get organized to prevent impunity and show our solidarity with those who defend Caimanes!

Please share the story of Caimanes, this village that is fighting against one of the wealthiest families in the world, with all of your contacts, press, and networks. The researcher Patricio Bustamante, Doctor Tchernitchin, and two Caimaninos from the Caimanes Defense Committee were at FAME to expose this situation in Caimanes and call for international solidarity.

Contact: Patricio Bustamante – bys.con@gmail.com