The Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (Katribu) (National Alliance of Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines) expressed solidarity with the people of El Salvador in their struggle to prevent the entry of mining operations in their country.

“We share your struggles, as our lands have also been ravaged by mining operations, resulting in environmental destruction, displacement, and the violation of our rights as stewards of our ancestral domains,” Katribu stated.

The group joins the the El Salvador people in their call to reject mining that values profit more than people and the planet’s safety. It also called for the immediate release of five activists imprisoned by El Salvador for their opposition to mining.

In 2017, the El Salvadorean government passed a law banning mining of all metals nationwide. The declaration is the first of its kind in the world. This historical law was passed without the objection of their legislators, a sign of its broad support for the people and also the result of the mass movement that has long pushed for the protection of the environment and water rights.

The ban is primarily due to the concern regarding the adverse effects of mining on water resources, particularly the Lempa River, which serves as an important water source for a large part of the population. The law prohibits all types of mining, including explorations.

However, El Salvador’s congress repealed the law in December 2024, arguing that the government would profit a lot from mining. This move aims to show the International Monetary Fund and other imperialist institutions that the country has the ability to pay its debts. The country’s current president, Nayib Bukele, is pushing to reauthorize companies to mine everywhere in the country, except in protected areas.

Before being banned, the largest mining companies operated in the country. One of them is the Pacific Rim Mining Corporation which operated the El Dorado gold mine operation. This mine is estimated to have 1.4 ounce of gold reserves, valued at $3.6 billion.