Catamarca faces multiple institutional and social conflicts

The administration of Raúl Jalil in Catamarca is facing a convergence of institutional, social, and environmental crises. Labor unrest has intensified with judicial employees protesting low salary increases and university teachers striking over infrastructure shortages and overcrowded classrooms.

In the eastern part of the province, community assemblies in Ancasti and El Alto have suspended technical meetings regarding lithium projects led by the Ministry of Mining and Litios del Norte S. A. Residents are demanding more transparency regarding drilling plans and freshwater consumption to protect local water sources.

Security concerns have also escalated following violent crimes and drug raids in Recreo and the provincial capital. Citizens have expressed indignation over perceived police inaction during robberies, often having to recover stolen property themselves. Additionally, the province is under a red alert for forest fires, with over 5,000 hectares burned this year, while authorities prepare for high-intensity storms linked to El Niño.