In the framework of an act for the anniversary of the birth of Artigas, several protesters demanded measures from the president.
President Luis Lacalle Pou participated in a commemorative act in Sauce (cannelloni) on the occasion of the 259th anniversary of the national hero Jose Gervasio Artigas. Several demonstrators took the opportunity to protest and launch strong criticism of the president for the current situation of the water crisis.
Among the various banners and posters that could be seen while Lacalle Pou walked among the locals, one pointed out that “water is not for sale“, while another argued that “there is water, for the gift to the powerful“in reference to the uses of the fluid by the Finnish multinational UPM.
In turn, messages could be read such as “the water is ours”, “the water we lack is given to UPM”, and “I will not sell the rich heritage” (alluding to Artigas), while the protesters chanted “it’s not drought, it is looting“.
On the other hand, another source of criticism was the Neptune Project (better known as Aratiri Project), which was tendered in recent days and obtained offers from two private companies. “Let’s rescue the (river) St. Lucianot to Neptune”, could be read on one of the posters.
One of the protesters took advantage of the occasion to quote a phrase from Artigas: “Let the tyrants tremble for having excited our anger“, while another of the protesters went further and directly tried to “offender” to Lacalle Pou.
New protests against OSE water: “they poison the people”
On the other hand, there were also chants of protest about SBI in the middle of the act: “The water of the OSE the president does not take it, they sell it abroad and poison people“, you could hear. While “criminals” were treated to the present authorities.
In addition to the president, the vice president participated in the act in Saunce Beatriz Argimonthe Secretary of the Presidency, Alvaro Delgadothe minister of Defending, javier garciathe mayor of Canelones, Yamandu Orsiamong other national, departmental, military and police authorities.
Source: Ambito
