Consorcio Azucarero Central lease extended to 2070 amid land disputes

The Consorcio Azucarero Central (CAC) has extended its lease until 2070, sparking intense conflict with local farmers in the southwest region of the Dominican Republic, specifically in Barahona, Neyba, and Tamayo.

Peasants report being evicted from ancestral lands by the agro-industrial company using heavy machinery, supported by the army and national police. The Catholic Diocese of Barahona has expressed firm rejection of these forceful actions, describing the destruction of minor crops as an assault on the livelihoods of vulnerable communities. To resist the evictions, priests, nuns, and social delegates have joined farmers in assemblies and resistance camps, acting as human shields and institutional witnesses.