On January 29, a coalition of human rights, environmental, and faith-based organizations, along with academics and lawyers from 44 countries, issued a letter urging Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to halt toxic mining projects in El Salvador. They also called for the dismissal of charges against five prominent water defenders before their retrial set for February 3.

The appeal comes two years after the controversial arrest of these water defenders on January 11, 2023. Despite being unanimously acquitted by a tribunal in 2024, an appeals court overturned the verdict, prompting widespread criticism.

A total of 297 organizations have signed the letter ahead of the retrial. These defenders were key figures in the movement that led to El Salvador's groundbreaking 2017 law banning metallic mining. However, on December 23, 2024, new legislation was passed allowing mining activities without requiring environmental impact assessments or community consent.

The recent law permits state-conducted mining activities but allows partnerships with corporations and exempts them from environmental accountability. The signatories of the opposition letter highlight global mining's detrimental effects and argue that reintroducing mining would exacerbate El Salvador's environmental and human rights issues.

A Central American University (UCA) poll showed that 61 percent of Salvadorans oppose returning to mining. The previous ban had strong public support; nearly four-fifths opposed mining in a 2015 UCA poll.

John Cavanagh from the Institute for Policy Studies stated: “It is remarkable that hundreds of expert organizations and individuals from 44 countries are joining over 60 percent of Salvadorans in rejecting toxic gold mining in El Salvador.”

Christie Neufeldt from The United Church of Canada added: “We reject the criminalization of the Santa Marta Water Defenders for their valiant leadership in denouncing the reactivation of mining in El Salvador.”

Peggy Goetz from the Washington Ethical Society declared: “Water is life. We stand with the Santa Marta Five and support their commitment to reinstate the ban on metals mining.”

Caren Weisbart from Common Frontiers criticized: “El Salvador’s new mining law is a major step backward... To completely ignore science and vocal opposition... is unconscionable.”

Mining policy experts and community leaders are available for comment. Press contacts include Olivia Alperstein at IPS (+1 (202) 704-9011), John Cavanagh at IPS (johnc@ips-dc.org), Pedro Cabezas at ACAFREMIN (stopesmining@gmail.com), Christie Neufeldt at United Church of Canada (cneufeldt@united-church.ca), and Aideé Irina Tassinari Azcuaga at Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (aidee.tassinari@uacm.edu.mx).