IN THE FACE of  continuing oppositions from Indigenous communities  Despite the the  hydroelectric projects in  La Cuchilla and Barro Blanco will continue to move forward  say Environment , Minister Mirei Endara and President Juan Carlos Varela

Residents living near the La Cuchilla project have requested numerous times that plans be cancelled  due to the impact it will have on the nearby water plant.

They held a protest on Friday, Jan 22  carrying banners demanding the government address their concerns.

Endara explained to the protesters that, without a reservoir for the power project, the water treatment plant will not be able to work.

"Canceling this project will not solve the problem of the water treatment plant," she said. "The important thing is to ensure water for 365 days a year."

The protesters insisted that they will not allow work on the project to continue.

"It will leave us without water," said Damaris Sánchez, one of the protesters.

Speaking about, Varela noted that the Barro Blanco the project is basically finished, reports La Prensa.

"All that remains is a final dialogue prior to the flooding of the dam," he announced. "We will have a dialogue with all the leaders of the area and with the residents of the affected communities."