Argentine president threatens to privatize the Paraná River

Published at: 25/11/2024 11:17 AM

The Argentine Association of Environmental Lawyers, through a statement, expressed its deep concern at the announcement by the Government of Javier Milei about the tender for the Trunk Waterway through a 30-year concession extendable for an equal period, which would take effect until 2085.

The Organization highlighted that the model promoted by the leaders of the political party La Libertad Avanza responds to privatizing, deregulatory logic and prioritizes the economic interests of a few over collective needs; this reinforces an agro-export and financialized scheme, which in recent decades intensified socio-environmental inequalities. .

He also pointed out that this announcement by the Executive structurally affects the integrity of the Paraná River and the communities whose livelihood depends on it.

Argentinian coastal communities fear that these plans could destroy their way of life.

The statement is emphatic about the mistake of considering Paraná only as a commercial transit route, since it “harbours a unique biodiversity and supports the ecological cycles essential for the well-being of eight Argentine provinces, in which 12 million people live”.

On the other hand, they question that the deepening will take place from 36 to 42 feet, which will cause higher levels of desertification along the river Delta, one of the most important wetlands in Argentina.

Mazo News Team