SANTIAGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – A significant grassroots mobilization dubbed ‘United We Are More’ culminated in a massive protest march through Santiago on Wednesday, demonstrating widespread community resistance against purported mining initiatives in the ecologically sensitive Northern Mountain Range (Cordillera Septentrional). The demonstration united residents from multiple municipal districts including Río Grande, San Francisco de Jacagua, Pedro García, and Yásica Arriba, alongside religious authorities and civil society representatives.
The protest, organized as a vehicular caravan, commenced in Canabacoa and proceeded along segments of the Duarte Highway before concluding at the Monument to the Heroes of Restoration. Father Nino Ramos, addressing participants, issued a stark warning regarding mining’s potential consequences, highlighting risks to rural livelihoods through environmental degradation, water contamination, widespread deforestation, and forced community displacement. He emphasized the demonstration symbolized resolute opposition to extractive industries in the region.
This civic action garnered support from clergy members, environmental coalitions, neighborhood associations, and agricultural collectives. The protest also expressed solidarity with communities in San Juan de la Maguana and Restauración facing analogous concerns about mining expansion.
Despite protesters’ assertions that mining operations pose existential threats to local ecosystems and communities, President Luis Abinader has publicly denied the existence of any mining contracts or development plans for the Northern Mountain Range. Echoing this position, Energy and Mines Minister Joel Santos clarified that activities conducted in the region have been exclusively exploratory, emphasizing no exploitation plans exist and that all operations occur under state oversight with strict adherence to environmental protocols and legal frameworks.