The residents of Masdache denounce that the Movistar company, in "connivance" with the Tías City Council, has proceeded to "disable the Orange antenna located next to the Vega de Yuco Winery".
According to the neighbors, "this action is interpreted as a pressure tactic against the citizens, in an attempt to force us to give up our demands to stop and remove the telecommunications tower that is being installed at the request of Telefónica on Camino Juan Bello."
"We express our outrage and rejection of this maneuver, which we consider an attack against transparency, citizen participation, and the right to a safe and healthy environment," they continue.
Furthermore, they say this situation is compounded by "the disrespectful attitude of some councilors of the Tías City Council, whose comments towards the residents have been along the lines of: no matter how much the residents throw a tantrum, the antenna is not going to be moved.”
"These words reflect a profound lack of respect towards a group of citizens who are simply trying to defend their quality of life and the landscape of their land," they continue.
Likewise, they point out that "they forget that these 'tantrum-throwing children' are the same neighbors and voters who, responsibly, participate in the democratic life of the municipality. Furthermore, we live on a small island, where we all know each other and people talk a lot in the towns. It is no coincidence that 'little messages' and indirect messages reach us through acquaintances or relatives of people linked to the City Council, trying to make us back down and give up our efforts."
In this regard, they declare that "these pressures only reinforce our determination and demonstrate the lack of dialogue and empathy of those who should represent and listen to their citizens."
The neighborhood association has repeatedly requested the immediate halt of the construction, the evaluation of its environmental and landscape impact, as well as the search for technical and location alternatives that do not harm the quality of life or the rural landscape of Masdache.
Likewise, they demand that the Tías City Council "clarify its role in this decision and defend the interests of the residents, instead of acting in favor of telecommunications companies. The residents of Masdache will continue to mobilize until a fair, transparent and respectful solution is achieved for our environment."