Residents of Masdache have released a statement in which they deny the recent statements made by the mayor of Tías, José Juan Cruz, regarding the installation of a communications tower in the town. According to the mayor, "towers of this type have a height of between 12 and 14 meters, while the one installed in Masdache exceeds 25 meters, which demonstrates a lack of precision in the information provided to citizens."
Likewise, the City Council has stated that "the tower is located on urban land." However, according to the residents, the location corresponds to "municipal-owned rural settlement land," and the residents believe that "it could also be in an area protected by the La Geria Plan, which exacerbates concerns about the legality and environmental impact of the installation."
The tower has been located next to the town's sports field, a space for neighborhood and community use, "which generates even greater rejection due to the possible effects on the health and quality of life of those who reside in the area."
On the other hand, several residents have formally requested the complete file and the corresponding urban planning report from the Tías Town Hall. Despite the fact that several weeks have already passed since these requests, they say that "no response has been received, which the residents describe as a serious lack of transparency."
The mayor also stated in the media that "it is only a few neighbors who oppose the tower." "The reality is quite different: nearly a hundred neighbors have already signed against the installation in a town that does not reach 400 inhabitants, which demonstrates a broad and legitimate neighborhood rejection," they point out.
The residents of Masdache are demanding that the Tías Town Council "offer clear and complete information about the project, respect the voice of the citizens and not minimize their opposition, and finally, halt the installation until its legality and impact on the protected environment of La Geria are clarified."
They also emphasize that they will remain mobilized in defense of their environment, their health, and their right to participate in decisions that affect the community.
