The National Intelligence Plan 2025 (PIN) describes environmental organizations and indigenous communities that show resistance to extractive activities as intelligence targets. This information is derived from a copy of this document obtained by Revista Crisis.
In the PIN, developed by the SI (State Intelligence Secretariat), potential threats subject to monitoring and surveillance are identified through ten strategic guidelines.
Environmentalists and Indigenous Peoples in the Focus of Intelligence Tasks
According to Guideline 5 of this document, “strategic actors linked to environmental organizations, with the capacity to influence decision-making and obstruct projects related to the exploration and exploitation of Strategic Natural Resources” are considered threats.
In another section of the same guideline, it is deemed necessary to monitor indigenous peoples as “actors who, in the protection of cultural and/or sacred heritage for local communities, may lead to the obstruction of projects.”
Furthermore, the document goes even further. It also mentions scientists linked to biodiversity conservation and ocean protection as targets for persecution (Intelligence Need 04.01.08.11). Likewise, individuals promoting a transition to a new energy matrix to the detriment of the commercialization of hydrocarbon resources (NI 05.01.05.06).
The PIN establishes the need to gather information on international policies associated with the climate agenda. Particularly focusing on restrictive positions seeking to condition the exploitation of natural resources (NI 05.01.05.01).
Implications for the Environmental Sector
“We are under the scrutiny of Intelligence Services. Unacceptable, dangerous, and undemocratic,” wrote Enrique Viale, President of the Argentine Association of Environmental Lawyers, on his social media.
In a recent column, Viale, along with researcher Maristella Svampa, reflects on the tasks described in the PIN. They state that “the objective is not only to create confusion but also to instill fear and demobilization, generating absolute social submission that suppresses not only rights but also the very possibility of expressing ourselves.”
After the existence of the PIN was revealed three weeks ago by the newspaper “La Nación,” the Government denied targeting political opponents. However, the leakage of parts of the document to the media alerted the groups targeted for intelligence purposes.
“Even though the National State denied it in a brief statement, it is authorizing the agencies that are part of the National Intelligence System to carry out tasks of identification, monitoring, surveillance, search, production, and collection of information about people and groups for political reasons. It is illegal and they must be held accountable,” expressed the Center for Legal and Social Studies (CELS) in a statement.
Last Thursday, this organization filed a criminal complaint against Sergio Neifert, head of the SI, and Diego Kravetz, General Director of Operations. They are accused of abuse of authority for authorizing intelligence tasks on people and groups for political reasons. According to CELS, the PIN goes against National Intelligence Law No. 25.520.
