The site of the Escobal silver mine in San Rafael las Flores, Santa Rosa. In referenda held in surrounding municipalities and in community-level plebiscites within San Rafael, an increasing number of residents have expressed their disagreement with the mining project, operated by the Canadian firm Tahoe Resources. In May 2013, in a climate of growing tensions and conflictivity, a state of siege was declared in four municipalities near the mine, including San Rafael Las Flores.
2012