Santa María Residents Await Meeting with Government Minister Over Megaprisons Construction

Community members and alumni of the National Agricultural Institute (INA) in Santa María are strongly opposing the construction of a maximum-security prison on the institute's grounds. A group convened at the Divisa Municipal Council to formally express their objections and requested a meeting with the Minister of Government, Dinoska Montalvo.

The planned meeting with the minister was suspended due to her prior commitments in the capital. The mayor of Santa María explained that the meeting was intended to address the community's anxieties regarding the penitentiary project. Alisson Acosta, an INA student, stated unequivocally, "We as students are strongly opposed to a prison being built on the Institute's land."

Civil society members have raised concerns about the lack of community consultation and the absence of prior environmental impact studies. Concepción Rangel, a civil society representative, highlighted potential issues, noting, "The community has not been consulted, nor has an environmental impact study been conducted. If the study is done, as I understand it, the Santa María river basin cannot be used for construction or landfill."

Municipal authorities indicated that the Minister of Government might visit the area next week. The rescheduled meeting aims to allow the minister to engage with residents, local officials, and community representatives to discuss the proposed project and listen to the population's concerns.