San Martín de los Andes Mayor Heads Towards Impeachment Trial

San Martín de los Andes Mayor Carlos Saloniti faces impeachment after the Municipal Council unanimously approved initiating political trial proceedings against him. The decision, made last week, formally begins the process outlined in the Municipal Organic Charter following complaints filed by local residents.

The impeachment process was triggered by a complaint from resident Valeria López Oronoz, who cited six critical points alleging malfeasance and failure to fulfill public duties. Among the primary concerns is the collapse of the sewage system, with accusations that the municipality failed to take measures against saturated treatment plants, leading to repeated discharges of untreated effluent into Lake Lácar and local streams.

Further accusations include a municipal debt exceeding 1.7 billion pesos owed to the Provincial Energy Entity of Neuquén (EPEN), which resulted in power outages at public facilities, including the Municipal Palace. The complaint also details a lack of oversight on construction projects by the Cerro Chapelco concessionaire, which allegedly proceeded without prior environmental permits, causing recognized damage. Regarding the Territorial Planning Plan (POT), the resident objects to the evasion of mandatory public hearings and the existence of inaccurate records in the participatory process.

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As a resident of San Martín de los Andes, I cannot remain indifferent to the degradation of our natural environment, financial disorder, and the lack of institutional response. When administrative channels are exhausted and intimations are ignored, the Organic Charter grants us citizens the tool of impeachment to demand accountability from those who govern us.

The impeachment request also cites non-compliance with judicial orders and obstruction of oversight, accusing the mayor of disregarding directives from the Superior Court of Justice and discrediting the Municipal Comptroller's office. "As a resident of San Martín de los Andes, I cannot remain indifferent to the degradation of our natural environment, financial disorder, and the lack of institutional response," López Oronoz stated. "When administrative channels are exhausted and intimations are ignored, the Organic Charter grants us citizens the tool of impeachment to demand accountability from those who govern us."

The environmental issue is particularly sensitive within the community. The former administrator of Lanín National Park, Ana María de las Nieves “Monín” Aquín, issued a strong notice warning of "extreme environmental and institutional gravity" due to the discharge of untreated liquids into the Pocahullo and Calbuco streams, which directly impact the protected ecosystem of Lake Lácar. Although a provincial technical committee later downplayed a scenario of "massive contamination," authorities admitted the system operates at its limit.

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extreme environmental and institutional gravity