Ottawa-Chubut — In an open letter sent to the provincial authorities of Chubut, 115 Argentinian and international organizations, unions and coalitions express deep concern about the criminalization of six environmental defenders due to their efforts to protect water and local ecosystems from Canadian mining. The signatories urge local authorities to end the criminalization of social protest in Chubut, respect due process, and drop the politically-motivated charges against the six citizens, who were sentenced for minor offenses on April 22, 2025.

The letter comes shortly after an appeal seeking the annulment of judge Eva Ponce's sentences against the six environmental defenders. An additional appeal was filed requesting the recusal of the judge. The legal proceedings were marked by irregularities and a lack of evidence, during which time the defenders were stigmatized, harassed, and were painted as violent individuals and even terrorists. The crimes of which they are accused were allegedly committed during the historic Chubutazo provincial protest in December 2021, a popular movement in defense of water that successfully derailed government attempts to impose a zoning bill allowing for industrial mining in the province. This bill would have given the green light to Canadian company Pan American Silver's controversial Navidad project.

Lucas Espinoza, one of those accused in the Chubutazo case, said “We are awaiting the acceptance of the appeal and recusal filed by the defense attorneys, because the judge clearly acted arbitrarily against us. These days, we continue to see laws being passed behind the people's backs. I don't belong to any political party, but that doesn't mean I'm ignorant of what's happening in Chubut and what they intend to do with our river. I am an ordinary citizen, but I am aware of the harm that is coming our way due to the corrupt political practices of those in power. We hope that people will mobilize, organize, and find new forms of protest. I am very grateful to all the people who have supported us and continue to do so, which is so necessary in the face of this increasing criminalization of protest.” 

The legal proceedings against these six citizens are part of a broader context of criminalization targeting environmental defenders throughout the province, illustrated by two other court cases. 

“We want to be able to choose the kind of world we live in, and have a say in how development takes place in our territories. What we want is a healthy environment because that is the only thing that will guarantee our survival. We ask for nothing else. Caring for and loving this land is our only demand. That should not make us terrorists or criminals in anyone’s eyes,” says Noelia Silva, a member of the Asamblea de Autoconvocados por el Chubutazo, who is facing prosecution in both of these legal cases.  

In one,  she is facing charges alongside five other people for her peaceful participation in a 2021 roadblock after the provincial legislature rejected the “Second Popular Initiative”, a petition with more than 20,000 signatures which sought to stop the Mining Zoning Law. In a second case, six people are being prosecuted for questioning members of Chubut’s provincial parliament about the province’s adherence to the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI in Spanish) – on the allegation that this amounted to threats and incitement to violence. 

The 115 organizational signatories of the letter include coalitions representing more than 60 Canadian organizations, including the Canadian Network for Corporate Accountability (CNCA), Americas Policy Group (APG) and Common Frontiers.

“The assemblies in Chubut deeply thank all the organizations supporting us at this crucial moment when we are exercising our right to defend Mother Earth and our common goods. The next few days will be decisive for this legal case, as we have requested that the rulings be overturned and the judge be recused, as she is beholden to political powers,” said Cristina J. Aguero, a member of the No to the Esquel Mine Assembly and the Union of Community Assemblies of Chubut (UACCh) which have been organizing for decades alongside Mapuche Tehuelche communities to oppose mining in the province of Chubut, specifically against Pan American Silver’s Navidad mining project. 

“Environmental defenders cannot continue to be criminalized and harassed for exercising their right to defend water and life from Canadian mining,” said Viviana Herrera, Latin American coordinator at MiningWatch Canada. “We call on the Canadian embassy in Argentina to implement the “Voices at Risk” guidelines and withdraw all support to Pan American Silver.”

A copy of the letter and complete list of signatories is available here.

For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:

• Cristina J. Aguero, No to Mining in Esquel and the Union of Community Assemblies of Chubut (UACCh), Argentina ecotiti77@gmail.com, +54 9 2945 592499.
• Viviana Herrera, Latin America Program Coordinator at MiningWatch Canada, viviana@miningwatch.ca, 438-993-1264 (Spanish/English)