El Hornito is a semi-rural population of approximately 1.500 inhabitants located on
the northheastern coast of Lake Maracaibo, next to the petrochemical complex EL TABLAZO
which was built in 1969.
Thanks to governmental industrial development policies which does not take into
consideration human needs and rights, the residents of El Hornito have been the object of
aggressive enviromental violations endangering life, property and family. For more than 20
years they have the loss of waterfront, beaches and tillable land, and they have suffered
contamination from toxic wastws. As a result the resident have fallen victim to
unemployment, stress, and empoverishment, all because of the development strategies of
PEQUIVEN a filial of the Petroleum of Venezuela Corporation.
During more than 200 years this population of fishermen, farmers and artisans
have lived on the shores of the lake and demonstrated through the peaceful dedication to their
work and families at harmonious coexistence with their environment. In El Hornito many
small industries fluorished over the years, including: natural dye processing, tanning,
leather crafts, and brick-making. The most significant activities however, have been
fishing, agriculture and cattle raising. The local economy at one time of another produced
milk, chesse, tannic, acid, belts, leather, fish and meat, all without producing negative
affects on the environment.
Before the arrival of the petrochemical complex, the community covered an area of
1.670 hectares, with three and a half kilometers of shore line and 20 hectares of mangroves.
THE BEGINNING OF THE AGGRESSION: 1968
Venezuelan President Leoni placed the cornerstone for the petrochemical complex
El tablazo in 1968, and a new era of environmental contamination and destruction
began in
Zulia State. The inmediate victims were the resident of El Hornito.
The fishermen, who were by then veterans of years of struggles with the petroleum
companies, especially the Shell company in Puerto Miranda, because of the oil spills wich
resulted in damaged nets, beaches, and reduced catches, now had a new enemy who would
eventually take away their beaches and lands in order to develop the complex which, according
to the governmental propaganda, would bring great happiness to our people..
In 1968, the first expropriation of land occured. One thousand inhabitants were
violently and colectively deprived of 848 hectares of land and all of their shoreline which
included their fishing instalations. Since then most agricultural activity as well.
The expropriation of the land was arbitrary and humiliating: homes, utensils,
propertly and even clothes were destroyed. Some of the inhabitants received small sumss
of money as a recompense for abandoning their property voluntarily (there was no
alternative). Some fishing boats and equipment were also destroyed and buried under land
refill and harbor dragging operations. The community was never consulted, nor adequete payed for their lossed, much less offered the possibility of relocation in an adequate or similar habitat. The aggression had begun.
The population of El Hornito, because of their strong personal and historic roots,
resisted the aggression and relocated just to the south of their former lands.
In 1971, the petrochemical complex began its southern expasioin by shore draggin
and land fill activities, closing off all access to the lake either for fishing or recreation. This
seemed to be part of another brutal expropriation scheme. The population had now suffered 10 years of agression and destruction.
The government overlooked the ecological consequences wich the development of
the petrochemical complex would have on the Bay of Tablazo, the lake and the surrounding area.
Atmospheric factors and lake currents which the were thoroughly know to the depelopers would distribute toxid wastes and substances thoroughout the lake waters and into the atmosphere of the entire State of Zulia, endangering public health.
The innocence of the population in general and that of El Hornito in particular
caused them to believe in the governmental propaganda with its promise of progress and
social well being due to the development of petrochemical industry. As a result they were
subjeted to one of the cruelest oppresions of all: their air was impregnated with benzene,
ammonia, chlorine and other noxious gases; murcury, benzene polimers, propane
compounds, salts and ballast were dumped into the lake waters. The University of Zulia has accumulated enought scientify evidence related to the contamination caused by the
petrochemical complex and the danger its represents to the state to impose strict and
extreme vigilance of the same as a matter of immediate public safety.
Because of the contamination we no longer are blessed with blue skies, fresh lake
air, or the sound of children playind along the shore.
During more than 20 years, El Hornito has suffered the aggressive invasion of toxic
gases which have caused and infinity of health emergencies, including asphiyxiation, burns, and internal pains. The vegetation of the area has also suffered. As a result of preliminary scientify studies conducted in the area, the incidence of bronco-pulmonary diseases and cancer have rinser alarmingly.
In 1988, the population of El Hornito received notice of new expansionary plans.
The petrochemical complex needed to extended its domain. Millions of Bolivars would be
invested.
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