The neighborhood associations, the Punta Colorada Development Commission and the Punta Colorada Natives, together with the Red Unión de la Costa, issued a statement rejecting the actions of the Maldonado Mayor’s Office after the decision of Judge Alejandro Recarey to issue a precautionary measure to suspend the works on la Rambla and denounce an attack “on the entire Uruguayan academic community and on scientific knowledge in general”.
On July 8, Judge Recarey suspended the work, the removal of sand from the dune chain and the planting of exotic flora in the area. Given this decision, the Municipality of Maldonado filed an appeal for reconsideration before the precautionary measure and criminally denounced the experts who criticized the work, both scientists from the University of the Republic (Udelar), for “false testimony”.
“They denounce works that do not exist, they denounce that the machines were working and the works ended a year and a half ago,” said Mayor Enrique Antía. The hierarch also criticized that professors were “used” to “tell falsehoods.” “You cannot be declaring things that are not. They affect the image of the administration and the management of the administration”, he stated.
The statement highlights the “rejection of the falsification of ‘false testimonies’ given by Udelar teachers.” Likewise, they assure that these facts “are true and proven, the opinions of these teachers is the result of decades of scientific work, recognized locally and internationally.”
Persecution
For the residents of Punta Colorada, Antía’s statements “constitute an attack on the entire Uruguayan academic community and scientific knowledge in general.” Consequently, “the filing of criminal complaints against them is just a way of persecuting them and intimidating them not to share their knowledge.”
For the group “it is not true” that the precautionary measure “has no purpose or is late”, because the works are being carried out. In this sense, they affirm that the works referred to by the Intendancy are that of the San Francisco beach and the rocky area of Punta Colorada, not the expansion and remodeling of the Playa Brava promenade, which are the ones discussed.
Unilateral suspension of dialogue and lack of studies
The statement indicates that, despite the attempts to meet to talk with the Municipality of Maldonado, “none of the administrations took the project into consideration.” They also indicate that since the works began “(the dialogue) was suspended by unilateral decision” of the commune.
On the other hand, they refer to two files from the Ministry of the Environment where the need to carry out an environmental impact study was highlighted. As well as a dune and ecosystem management protocol. Despite these provisions, the commune “continued with the works without complying with said requirements.”
Neighbors say that the removal of sand from the beach by bulldozers and trucks has photographic support. These photographs are confirmed by a notarial deed, they say.
The organizations say they are not opposed to carrying out the works. However, he assures that they will not stop demanding “that they be carried out in harmony with the environment and in consultation with the neighbors.”
