A total of eight people were detained this morning when they refused to clear the blockade of the Interamericana Sur, part of a group demanding the convening of the Proyecto de Ley de Territorios Costeros Comunitarios (TECOCOS) – the bill on coastal territories.
The protest was organized by community organizations, fishermen’s association, women’s cooperatives and representatives of community associations.
Pablo Bertozzi, deputy director of the Fuerza Publica (police), explained tha the protestors were asked to unblock the highway, however, they did not heed to the call.
Bertozzi said police had to resort to the use of tear gas to remove the blockade. A total of eight were in police custody this morning.
One of the leaders of the demonstration, Wilmar Matarrita, denounced the violent attitude of the police. The woman likened the police action to the government of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.
The purpose of the TECOCOS bill is to recognize the right of the inhabitants who have lived in the sea-land area for many years.
The bill was approved in first reading by the Legislative Assembly on April 30, 2013 and then was sent to the Constitutional Court for review.
