U.D.P. San Pedro Mayor goes against GOB on offshore drilling

elsa paz

The debate on offshore oil drilling is raging around the country. The argument is over possible oil riches versus the reality that one spill could devastate the entire country and the economy.  This morning in San Pedro, representatives from the Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage were making a presentation during a radio talk show on Reef Radio, when the panelists received a call from an unexpected source, San Pedro’s Mayor, Elsa Paz.  Paz indicated that she and her council are against offshore drilling because the island depends on tourism.  Though local polls show that people are against offshore drilling, it is a surprising move for Paz, as she is elected as a United Democratic Party Mayor and she is going against her government’s stance on offshore drilling.  But not only is she against it, Paz will join the coalition.

Jose Sanchez

“Do you intent to join the coalition? Are you going to ask for a moratorium, the things that the coalition is asking for? The B.T.I.A., the N.T.U.C.B. has joined in saying you know what we need to put this on hold.”

Elsa Paz, Mayor, San Pedro

“Yes, as I mentioned today on the radio, I will be the first one leading for our community and join this organization because I strongly believe it is a serious problem. My council and myself, we are totally against this oil drill especially that today we are listening to the news on what has been happening in Mexico. I believe this is a serious problem and government before approving any kind of project like this kind, they should have public consultations or at least inform he local authorities or give a presentation to explain to people what is happening or what their intentions are before approving any kind of project. I have to say that it has been like that in the in the past, with the past administration and now with the present administration. There’s a lot of times that as local authorities we don’t get any kind of respect. They don’t inform us of the projects that are going on in the island, especially when it comes to natural resources, environment and in cases like that. I believe that it is time for government to get together with the local authorities because at the end of the day people come to my office and ask questions to myself and I don’t know what to answer because I am not informed. I don’t know what is happening. They do approvals on environmental projects and different projects and we don’t know until it is happening.”

Jose Sanchez

“In your capacity as mayor, is there anything that you and your council can do to block offshore drilling?”

Elsa Paz

“Well, at the moment we are planning to get together with the different organizations and appeal and try to make government understand that we don’t want this project, especially in front of our island. But, as I mentioned, it’s not a concern only for San Pedro; it’s for the whole country. As you know, government depends a lot on the tourism industry. The tourism industry is one of the biggest industries in the country right now. So they should think about the future of our country. So I believe that they should realize what will happen or what will be the impact before they go ahead and approve this. So I am one hundred percent with my people and if I have to stand up for my rights with my people I will do it and at the end of the day it’s the people that put us there as politicians; as mayor and as ministers and I sincerely believe that we should respect the opinion of the majority of the people.”

Jose Sanchez

Even though the coalition has a strong backing at this point, both P.U.P. and U.D.P. administrations have given offshore oil concessions, they’ve supported it. You are standing as a U.D.P. mayor within a U.D.P. government, going against the grain, is that an easy decision? And will you try to encourage the minister from San Pedro Manuel Heredia to also join this cause?”

Elsa Paz

“Of course we will ask Minister Heredia to join us and I know he will be with the people too. I know that Minister Heredia is for the people too and if the people don’t want this kind of project in our island, we just have to be against it. We have to be with the people.”