Argentinean demonstrators have poured into the streets to protest against an agreement that allows a major US oil company to extract natural resources from the South American country.
Activists gathered in the capital city of Buenos Aires on July 9 – Argentinaâ„¢s National Independence Day – to mark the countryâ„¢s independence from Spain in 1816, as well as to protest against a deal between state-owned energy company YPF and US ËœBig Oilâ„¢ Chevron.
Å“The path to gaining energy sovereignty cannot be gained on spurious agreements with Chevron – a company that sows death and destruction not only in Latin America but also in the Middle East,” said Ezequiel Lopardo, a secretary of the Quebracho Organization.
On Tuesday, Argentina’s Supreme Court lifted a freeze on Chevron assets in the country, paving the way for the US supermajor oil giant to push ventures with Argentina’s YPF.
The contract would allow the multinational energy firm to exploit the unconventional oil and gas region of Vaca Muerta – located in the Southern province of Neuquen.
Protesters said the agreement challenges Argentinaâ„¢s sovereignty, and instead called on President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner to strengthen ties with other independent allies.
Å“Technology co-capacities of Iran or Venezuela could perfectly make up for YPFâ„¢s extraction and exploration needs. Iran and Venezuela have proved to have autonomous oil capacities. We believe in such strategic alliances that gives us independence but which cannot be reached with Chevron as our partner,” said Fernando Esteche, head of the Quebracho Organization.
GMA/KA
Republished with permission from: Press TV