Chubut gov't orders mandatory conciliation between 'dragons,' PAE

The Chubut Labour Ministry ordered a mandatory conciliation between all parts involved in the Cerro Dragón conflict, hoping that workers who have taken over the oilfield and oil company Pan American Energy (PAE) will resume negotiations.

Governor Martín Buzzi explained that with this measure they expect “both PAE and the workers will sit down and negotiate.” 

The official measure was enacted after on early Tuesday the provincial justice ordered for the roadblocks set-up by the so-called “dragons” to be removed.

Earlier, Comodoro Rivadavia Federal Judge Eva Parcio sent infantry troops to clear the various protests being staged by the ‘Los Dragones’ workers, which were taking place along Routes 3 and 26, in addition to 3 and 29, blocking access to the Cerro Dragón oilfield.

According to an agreement signed by Martín Buzzi's government, "the appropriate use of public force will be taken, using disuasion techniques in order to avoid violence" so that the roads could be freed up in order to let traffic flow normally.

The protests have been going on for a number of weeks now, previously causing violent clashes between oilfield workers and police forces.

The self-titled “Los Dragones”, seized the main building in the Cerro Dragón field on June 21 and since have caused widespread damages.

Yesterday they upped their protest, creating roadblocks on access roads leading to the main fields in the region, affecting activities across all of the province’s oil-fields.