Since 2008 they have received water contaminated with hydrocarbons: the ordeal of the indigenous people of Tascabaña in Anzoátegui

Since 2008 they have received water contaminated with hydrocarbons: the ordeal of the indigenous people of Tascabaña in Anzoátegui

Photo: La Patilla

 

Water contaminated by hydrocarbons and poor roads are the main problems faced by the indigenous people from the Tascabaña community in the Pedro María Freites Municipality of Anzoátegui State.

By La Patilla

Jul 28, 2022

Some people from the Kariña ethnic group said that since 2008 they have been receiving polluted water through the pipes in their homes. They asked the authorities to drill a new well in a clean aquifer.





One of the affected inhabitants is Rafael Aray, who explained that the water they receive registers high traces of hydrocarbons.

“We are using that for washing, planting and other chores, but we are fighting so that this can be solved by drilling another well,” said Mr. Aray.

He indicated that they are currently supplied with liquid water from another quite distant aquifer.

Indigenous people from Tascabaña in Anzoátegui receive water contaminated with hydrocarbons

Another problem faced by the inhabitants of Tascabaña is the lack of transportation as a result of the very poor roads.

Adrián Pérez explained that they have only two options to get on public transportation: walk 14 kilometers until they reach the El Tigre-Cantaura national highway or walk 4 kilometers to cross the river that connects with the indigenous community of Kashama.

“We have to walk four kilometers and cross the river on a 36-inch pipeline that is used as a bridge, but when the river rises, as is the case right now, that pipe is covered and we cannot cross it,” said Pérez.

Crossing the river over this pipeline has left a few neighbors injured, stated Mr. Aray.

An aproximate of 1,600 indigenous inhabitants who are part of the Kariña ethnic group are affected by this situation.

Read More: La Patilla – Since 2008 they have received water contaminated with hydrocarbons: the ordeal of the indigenous people of Tascabaña in Anzoátegui

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