Local residents and environmentalists are angry that a dozen trees were cut down to clear the way for a new mausoleum on the north side of Caracas to house the remains of Venezuela’s independence leader and founding father, Simón Bolívar. “They have acted in an ad hoc manner, cutting down trees when it was not necessary in a historic site, despite the fact that Venezuela has signed the Florence and Venice Charters, which defend the preservation of historic gardens as heritage sites,” protested the president of the San José Defense Committee, Aníbal Isturdes. Representatives of the construction firm have stated that new trees will be planted in the area.

Yazenia Frontado, from the environmental organization Vitalis, told Tierramérica that "the municipal authorities of greater Caracas are responsible for the inventory and care of trees. Some establish a requirement to plant five trees for every tree cut down.”

“But this requirement is often not met,” she added, “and in the meantime, trees throughout the city, two out of every three, are becoming diseased, attacked by parasitic plants and insects.”