SERIOUS HEALTH CRISIS IN THE SIRIA VALLEY, HONDURAS CAUSED BY GOLDCORP INC.
A MESSAGE FROM THE VICTIMS OF MINING CONTAMINATION: Chronicle of a Death Foretold
By Carlos Amador, July 2, 2012
Below, we present a series of photographs documenting the reality of life in the Siria Valley, Honduras, where a serious endemic health crisis continues to unfold. The health problems were caused by open-pit mining exploitation carried out by Entremares, a subsidiary of Goldcorp Inc. of Canada, at its "San Martin" mining operation.
(1666) Maria Cabrera, El Pedernal
"I am really concerned about my heath problems caused by contamination left by the mine. Before the mine came here, we were poor but healthy."
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Since 2003, we have been documenting and denouncing the harms to our health and our environment, as well as other violations of our rights. As you will see in these photos, the problems are chronic. We are very alarmed, as we see the health of our community members getting worse every day ... and it has been four years since Goldcorp suspended its mining operation here.
I, Carlos Amador, took these photos on May 10, 2012, when the Medical Brigade came to the community of El Pedernal (Siria Valley). People came to be examined by the Brigade from: El Pedernal, Palos Ralos, Barrosas, El Escanito, Guayabillas and Pueblo Nuevo. Former employees of Entremares (Goldcorp), with health problems caused by work in the mine, also came to be examined.
The Medical Brigade was coordinated and directed by Dr. Juan Almendares.
(1658) Gladis Hernandez, El Pedernal
"Look at the state I am in. It keeps me awake at night. My health is poor, very poor. I have a lot of pain at night. I can't sleep at all. All I do is feel pain."
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This is the part one of our photo-report. In the days to come, we will bring out part two, dealing with the impacts on the health of our community members whose lives are seriously threatened - they find themselves in a chronicle of a death foretold.
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH TRIBUNAL - GUATEMALA
As well, on July 14 and 15, we will be participating in the International Health Tribunal taking place in the community of San Miguel Ixtaguacan, Guatemala. (http://tribunaldesalud.org/; http://healthtribunal.org/)
This photo-essay is a message from the Siria Valley Environmental Committee to inform people of the terrible health crisis we are experiencing as a result of mining exploitation activities carried out by Entremares (Goldcorp Inc).
We urgently need more funds to support those who are suffering from health harms. As well, we need political support to continue our struggle for truth, justice and full reparations for all victims.
Please contact us directly with questions and comments.
In Canada and the United States, please contact Rights Action, an NGO that we have worked with in our struggle since 2004. Rights Action also supports us with funds received from Canada and the United States.
Thank-you. Please re-distribute this photo-report widely.
Carlos Amador
Siria Valley Environmental Committee
piviamador@yahoo.com
[504] 9962-9481
Dr. Juan Almendares
almendarez.bonilla@gmail.com
IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES:
Grahame Russell
Rights Action
info@rightsaction.org
860-352-2448
www.rightsaction.org
www.facebook.com/rightsaction.org
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(1600) Rogelio Sorto, El Pedernal
"I am really worried about this - my health is bad."
(1083) Pedro Ramos, El Pedernal
"I am really worried about my health. I used to be healthy, but when he mine came here it harmed us. This mine has caused a lot of harm to us."
(1671) Jose Gutierres, El Escanito
"I am worried about my sickness. All this mine did was harm us. This say they want to open it again. Do they want to kill us off?"
(1552) Juana Aceituno
"Look at how sick I am. I never had problems like this. It was when the mine came that I got sick. I have a lot of pain and I don't know what to do about it. This Canadian mine came here and ruined everything."
(1617) Petronila Arteaga, Palo Ralos
"I cry when I see the state of my health because I never imagined I would have such problems. The mine destroyed the hills and all they left behind was health problems. Look at what a terrible state I am in. I don't know what to do - my health is terrible."
(1618) Luisa Hernadez, El Pedernal
"I am in very poor health. Look at me. This is what the mine left behind - nothing but bad health."
(1615) Genesis Velasquez, El Pedernal
"I can tell you I had no health problems before. The mine destroyed the hills and then this whole disaster with my body began. I am in pain. I cry all the time because I don't know what to do. I am looking for medicine from this medical brigade you brought here but I don't know if it will cure me. But the mining company will be paid for ruining our lives."
(1661) Juana Diaz, El Pedernal
"Look at my body. I never had any health problems. Never. I have been to clinics and they say my illness was caused by pollution left by the mine - it has poisoned the water and harmed our health."
(1663)Angelica Suarez, Palo Ralos
"Look at the state of my daughter. I cry all night because she is very itchy and scratches herself so much she bleeds. I am in a desperate state over this. This Canadian mine caused nothing but harm here and now they have the money they made from our hills."
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Alberto Rotondo, executive of Tahoe Mine, San Rafael in Guatemala , gave direct orders to assassinate members of the community San Rafael Las Flores. The investigation of the mining conflicts in San Rafael Las Flores, Santa Rosa , took a 180 degrees turn, after the Public Ministry submitted audio from wiretapping as evidence. In the audio it can be clearly heard how Alberto Rotondo, head of the San Rafael Mining Security outfit, ordered to assassinate opponents of the mine.
Tahoe Resources / Goldcorp Inc. is partnered with the Guatemalan military, headed by President Otto Perez Molina, who – as a former General in the Guatemalan Army – was recently named in the Genocide Trial as an intellectual author of some of the atrocities in the Mayan Ixil region of Guatemala. The Guatemalan regime – with huge military presence – has declared a State of Siege in a region where Tahoe and Goldcorp are violently trying to open another gold mine.
Canadian mining company Goldcorp has left over 20 toxic sites at current and former mines in Guatemala , Honduras , Mexico and Canada , among other places. Join us to help protest their legacy of toxic waste at their annual shareholder meeting at the Trump Hotel in Toronto . We will cordon off a hazardous zone around the meeting to highlight the serious threats that Goldcorp has posed to the communities where it has operated, ranging from health harms due to blood poisoning, to respiratory problems, food insecurity, water quality issues, violent and deadly attacks against community members, cracked houses and mental health problems. We will have masks and other safety gear on hand to protect Torontonians from the extreme levels of toxicity that Goldcorp brings wherever it goes.
Even as Tahoe / Goldcorp push ahead, even as repression increases, community after community are holding public, transparent consultations and every single one is saying ‘no’ to the imposition of this type of “development” project.
- Amed men fired bullets at not-for-profit organization, and broke into home of lawyer challenging the legality of mining license granted to Tahoe/Goldcorp.
- Tahoe/Goldcorp accused of operating an illegal armed group carrying out illegal actions against the civilian population.
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