Communities denounce river damage from alleged illegal mining in La Guázara

Barahona.-  The Enriquillo Regional Environmental Protection Foundation, together with local associations and social organizations, has raised alarms over serious environmental damage in five rivers in the La Guázara area, Barahona, allegedly caused by large-scale mining activities linked to businessman Maikel González. Activists warn that river flow has sharply declined, threatening biodiversity and the safety of nearby communities.

The groups report that heavy machinery is extracting materials illegally, disrupting river channels and destroying ecosystems. La Guázara’s hills serve as natural barriers against hurricanes and cyclones, protecting towns such as Cachón and Cabral. Their degradation, experts caution, increases the risk of natural disasters for thousands of residents.

González, a mining entrepreneur from Baní, has faced repeated accusations of environmental violations in protected areas like the Baní Dunes, Azua, and San Cristóbal. Reports suggest he has acquired mining rights through irregular means, spending up to RD$500 million to continue operations despite regulations. Activists accuse local Environment director David López of enabling the activities through cover-ups and complicity.

The case underscores not only an ecological emergency but also an institutional crisis, with allegations of corruption preventing effective oversight. Community leaders have announced an urgent mobilization to halt the exploitation, pressuring national authorities for action. They warn that without intervention, future extreme weather events could cause catastrophic losses, recalling disasters such as Hurricane Gerset, which left over 200 dead.