A Guatemalan company is drilling three geothermal wells in a protected reserve at the Pacaya Volcano, some 40 kilometers south of the capital, without authorization from the local municipality. Geothermal wells operate like boilers, generating energy from steam.

Álvaro González, mayor of the southern town of San Vicente Pacaya, accused the Ortitlán company of having taken over land in the San Francisco de Sales village to start the project.

Furthermore, “the municipality did not issue them any permit; they say they have one only from the Ministry of Mines and Energy,” González told Tierramérica.

The official said he has already filed a legal suit against the company. A few months ago residents blocked the company from bringing in its machinery; police and army support had to be called in to get the equipment through.