More violence in Cabañas targets a mining opponent

Activists in the anti-gold-mining movement report another attack on a leader in protests against mining in El Salvador. Ramiro Rivera is a leader in the movement opposed to opening gold mining in northeast El Salvador. He was shot eight times in the back and legs, while riding his horse and directing his few cattle. Ramiro Rivera is President of the local Community Development Association (ADESCO) of Nueva Trinidad, a small community located in Cabañas Department. Rviera and ADESCO have been noisy opponents to the gold mine which Pacific Rim wants to build in the surrounding area.

Is the attack against Rivera related to his opposition to the mines? Certainly anti-mining activists assume so, and they have added his name to the list of other recent victims who were active in the anti-mining movement. The continued silence of the government, prosecutors and police on these cases, continues to provoke suspicion.