Water Is Worth More Than Gold: Networked Activism and Transnational Resistance to Extractivism in the Cerro Blanco Mining Conflict

This paper analyzes the Cerro Blanco mining conflict in Asunción Mita, Guatemala, as a pivotal case of networked activism in Central America. On September 18, 2022, 89% of Asunción Mita’s residents voted against the Cerro Blanco metallic mining project, citing concerns over water contamination and environmental degradation. This decisive referendum was met with resistance from Bluestone Resources, the Canadian mining company, and the Guatemalan government, which challenged the legitimacy of the vote, exposing tensions between community sovereignty, state policies, and corporate interests. Using the "Not In Anyone’s Backyard" (NIABY) framework and water justice principles, the paper explores how the Cerro Blanco case represents grassroots resistance to transnational extractivism, particularly in relation to shared water resources in the Lempa River basin, which connects Guatemala and El Salvador. The study highlights how networked activism, involving local, regional, and international actors, fosters opposition to extractivism and advocates for sustainable governance. Framing water as both a human right and a shared common good, the paper underscores the importance of collective action and transboundary cooperation in safeguarding ecosystems and advancing environmental justice. The study calls for stronger legal protections, such as the Escazú Agreement, to ensure inclusive decision-making in natural resource management. By positioning the Cerro Blanco conflict within broader regional struggles for water justice, the paper emphasizes the transformative potential of networked activism in resisting extractive industries and promoting equitable resource governance.