A federal court in Neuquén ordered the immediate eviction of the blockade set up by members of the Kaxipayiñ Mapuche community on the so-called "oil road". This is a key route for accessing the Turboexpander Plant (Planta TEX) and the warehouses in the Loma La Lata – Sierra Barrosa area.
The ruling was issued by federal Judge María Carolina Pandolfi, who granted a precautionary measure requested by YPF after more than three days of total traffic interruption.
Planta de YPF en Loma La Lata
According to the decision, since November 17 the demonstrators "restricted circulation on the oil road," preventing the passage of personnel, vehicles, and equipment necessary for energy operations. This is a rural route that connects provincial routes 7 and 51 and serves as the usual logistics corridor for YPF's activities in the area.
The effects of the blockade and the findings
YPF reported that the blockade caused "complex inconveniences given the magnitude of the affected facility". The company stated that the measure impacted the evacuation and supply of gas and methanol, as well as process safety and the provision of LPG. This affected essential activities and increased operational and environmental risks.
Camino para acceder a la planta YPF
The company also detailed that part of the personnel was unable to access their duties and that critical equipment was left on "standby."
Notaries summoned by the company certified the presence of a metal barrier that crossed the road and blocked passage. The Mapuche demonstrators urged people to leave "because it is private and community property."
Numerous vehicles with workers who could not move forward were stranded in the area. The company replied that the property where the plant is located "is outside the area included in the territorial survey of said community."
Judge Pandolfi's decision
When assessing the operational and economic harm, Judge Pandolfi ordered that "immediate free access for YPF S.A. and its contractors" be allowed to all affected facilities.
She also authorized the removal of any type of obstacle, including "fencing, gates closed with chains, wires, padlocks, or physical barriers of any kind," and warned that those who obstruct circulation again may be sanctioned.
Jueza Carolina Pandolfi
The judge stated that the demonstrators "would be abusively exercising their right to protest, engaging in unlawful conduct to the detriment of third parties." In the same vein, she emphasized that the protest action "prevents the exercise of industry, commerce, and free movement," rights that she considered unjustly violated.
For this reason, she concluded that it was necessary to adopt an urgent measure to prevent "the daily harm caused by the situation" from continuing to worsen.
Progress of the amparo action
In addition to the precautionary measure, the court formalized the initiation of the amparo action in a summary proceeding. The case will continue while YPF resumes its operations with judicial protection and access to the area is restored.
Comunidad mapuche corta el acceso a una planta de YPF
