Just days before the long awaited vote on US$3.2 billion HidroAysén dam project, special police forces were sent to Coyhaique, capital of the Aysén Region and the Coyhaique province. The greatly enhanced police presence was justified, said authorities, because of the “threatening” attitude of HidroAysén opponents and fear that the 12 authorities who will vote on the project today, Monday, may be attacked or have their houses assaulted. Opponents to the five-dam project have been protesting the HidroAysén project for years and recently set up signs in public areas displaying photographs of voting committee members and providing their e-mail and phone numbers to the public – infomation taken from government agency websites. National media – El Mercurio and La Tercera – have condemned these tactics. Read More
