Indigenous communities from the northern province will arrive in a resistance march this Monday to the Government House of Salta with demands aimed at actions to protect them from evictions and deforestation.
The danger of evictions intensified with the repeal of the Indigenous Territorial Emergency Law, 26.160. With this policy, the door is opened for indigenous communities that are in dispute over their territories with private landowners to be expelled through judicial resolutions.
Impact of the repeal of the Indigenous Territorial Emergency Law
“It is a concerning issue for the chiefs and leaders of Rivadavia, San Martín, and other departments who feel suffocated and pursued by this national government,” said Tichil Mendoza, secretary and spokesperson of the Autonomous Union of Native Communities of Pilcomayo (UACOP), referring to the decision made by Javier Milei’s administration.
Another policy that concerns them is the one that will be implemented following the enactment of the new Native Forests Territorial Planning (OTBN) on January 3. The approval came despite criticism from various environmental sectors and indigenous community leaders who insisted on the lack of participation in the decision-making process of the new map that defines where deforestation will take place and where it will not.
Mendoza stated that the provincial government is preparing to authorize the clearing of over 720,000 hectares, made possible by the new OTBN.
The communities participating in the mobilization expect to meet in the northern province with indigenous populations from Aguaray, Tartagal, Route 86, and Route 81, to reach the city of Salta on Monday.
Resistance to the issues facing indigenous communities
The spokesperson added that they have many problems regarding Health Centers, medical professionals, medications, lack of water, and job situations. “There is no response to these issues or to housing,” he stated.
“Many children are dying of hunger,” Mendoza said, affirming that “there are hidden and unacknowledged news among the most remote communities of Santa Victoria Este (SVE) that worry us.” He stated that the silence is reinforced by “pressure or fear” among the communities.
In fact, the deaths of two infants from Rivadavia Banda Norte were unknown, who died with a two-week difference in indigenous communities located in that municipality of Coronel Juan Solá or Morillo. In both cases, they had received previous medical attention, but it is presumed that there was a failure in health follow-up.
The issue of addictions is another topic for which communities have complaints. “It’s total chaos,” Mendoza said. He stated that “there is no control, although it is true that it is a tripartite area.” At this point, he noted that attention has been focused only on the Oran border area, where the so-called Güemes Plan is being implemented, although it is also being observed due to the repression unleashed last December.
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