Catamarca police deny repression amid mining conflict in Peñas Negras

Tensions are escalating in the Belén department of Catamarca, Argentina, due to conflicts surrounding mining projects and the rights of the Peñas Negras indigenous community.

Catamarca Police Chief Manuel Herrera has denied allegations of police repression against anti-mining protesters. Herrera stated that viral videos misrepresent the situation and claimed that police presence was intended to manage tensions between different community groups, including those in favor of mining, and to ensure safety during a confrontation.

In response to the situation, members of the PTS bloc in the Argentine Chamber of Deputies have introduced a resolution demanding an end to state harassment in the mountain region. The legislative initiative calls for an investigation into reported violence and the immediate suspension of mining activities in the area until the rights of indigenous communities are fully guaranteed. Legislators Nicolás del Caño and Alejandro Vilca have expressed solidarity with the local community, criticizing the government for prioritizing corporate interests over constitutional protections and environmental regulations.