Villa Allende: they transported the quebracho at a multimillion-dollar cost to appease activists

After protests, public shaming, and weeks of paralysis, the quebracho blanco was moved this Sunday morning just 20 meters (65.6 feet). The relocation halted the expansion of Padre Luchesse Avenue for days, a key project to connect Villa Allende with the city of Córdoba. The tree was defended by environmental activists who promoted an ecological defense narrative without technical support or real criteria.

The operation was covered as if it were a feat rather than a demonstration of institutional weakness.  The telescopic crane used was brought from Tucumán, with a capacity of 300 tons and a completely unnecessary deployment. The root, which was said to reach 20 meters (65.6 feet), measured only 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) according to the mayor, which made the move uncomplicated.

The previous company abandoned the attempt after 10 hours under pressure from environmentalists and the lack of political support to act. What should have been a technical administrative decision became a political conflict fueled by ideological groups. The tree was turned into a symbol by activists who do not live in Villa Allende and who imposed their whim over the public interest.

An extremely expensive operation to sustain a myth

The operation cost between 30 and 40 million pesos (66,139 to 88,185 USD), as admitted by Mayor Pablo Cornet himself in statements to Cadena 3. Those funds came from the construction company and the Municipality, although it was not specified which party assumed each portion. That money was spent to relocate a young tree while there are unpaved streets and public services that continue to collapse.

Cornet denied that the tree is 300 years old and stated that "the quebracho is between 50 and 60 years old", which contradicts the activists' narrative. He also denied that the roots exceeded five meters (16.4 feet) by stating that "they did not exceed 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) and are intact." This made it clear that  the operation did not respond to an environmental need but to political pressure from mobilized groups.

"The tree will be saved," said Cornet, adding that the criticism "is more a wishful expression of those who oppose." Crespo, Secretary of Government, stated that "the majority are not residents of Villa Allende. They are people brought in from other places." Both officials sought to defend an administration that gave in to pressure instead of making firm decisions for the benefit of the city.

A city held hostage by noisy minorities

The road project was halted by a tree without heritage value that became a banner for causes unrelated to local urgencies.  For days, progress was conditioned by an environmental discourse that did not represent the majority of Villa Allende's residents. The Municipality avoided implementing its own planning for fear of political costs and preferred to pay millions to avoid conflict.

Cornet defended the decision by saying that "more than a thousand trees will be planted in the area" as part of the remediation plan. With this, he sought to justify an absurdity that was more symbolic than environmental and largely the result of official improvisation. He also tried to close the issue by saying that "today the work will be completed so that the destination site is in good condition."

This episode sets a dangerous precedent where power submits to groups that are not held accountable nor face consequences. Instead of governing with data, the choice was to give in to noisy slogans at a very high economic and political cost. Time will tell if the tree survives, but the damage to institutional credibility is already done and it cost a fortune.