Pedernales farmers protest land destruction amid rare earth discovery

Agricultural and livestock producers in the Pedernales region of the Dominican Republic have expressed outrage following the discovery of billions of tons of rare earth elements in their territory. Local producers claim that the government is prioritizing mineral extraction over traditional farming, which has been the region's mainstay for over 50 years.

Protesters report that the Environmental Protection Service (SENPA) and the Ministry of Environment have engaged in aggressive actions, including the destruction of homes, seizure of crops, and the eviction of farmers from ancestral lands. The producers are calling for government dialogue and alternative solutions for their survival, warning of potential strikes. Preliminary data suggests the government could receive approximately $48 billion from rare earth extraction, a figure that local workers say justifies their demand for fair treatment and protection of their livelihoods.