Residents of the northwestern Argentine province of La Rioja oppose exploration for an open-pit mining operation and have denounced “political persecution” against them. “We defend the Famatina range, which is our only source of freshwater,” Carina Díaz Moreno, of the Famatina Assembly, told Tierramérica.

For the past two years, the residents have prevented access to the ore deposit to members of the province's mining secretariat and to staff from the Barrick Gold mining company.

On Apr. 14, government officials attempting to reach the site struck Díaz and another woman, Marcela Crabbe, who blocked the route.

The women were arrested, and Díaz was released last week. Both she and Crabbe will have to appear before a judge for further proceedings.