Environmental and neighborhood groups in the eastern Argentine province of Santa Fe have reported threats that they believe are related to their fight against the spraying of dangerous agrochemicals near urban zones. In San Jorge, residents in 2009 convinced a judge to ban land spraying at less than 800 meters from the town line and at less than 1,500 meters in the case of aerial spraying.

David Ercole, a local member of the anti-fumigation campaign, denounced to justice authorities that his month his car was set on fire outside his home. “I suspect it is because I am an active member of the movement,” he told Tierramérica.

Other activists received threats from the fumigators or have been subject to legal action for opposing the fumigations, they said.