The organization filed a formal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Commander of the Camp Santiago Joint Training Center in Salinas, demanding the full release of documents regarding chemical contamination, environmental risks, and the handling of toxic substances at the largest National Guard military installation in Puerto Rico.
“We warn that the prolonged operation of Camp Santiago represents a direct risk to the Southern Aquifer, the primary source of drinking water for tens of thousands of people in Salinas, Guayama, Arroyo, and nearby towns,” Sonia Santiago Hernández, spokesperson for Mothers Against War, stated on the eve of the protest.
The social activist stated that “communities have the right to know what pollutants have been dumped at Camp Santiago; where they are located, the level of exposure, and what real mitigation plans exist; we will not tolerate institutional silence when the health of our families is at stake.”
The petition includes documents related to underground tanks and fuel spills; a history of gasoline and diesel leaks; corrective orders from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and reports on failures in automatic detection systems.
Furthermore, perfluoroalkyl substances, chemicals present in firefighting foam, are linked to cancer, hormonal damage, and immune system problems.
The spokesperson for Mothers Against War warned that public health cannot be subordinated to military interests, while also demanding transparency and environmental justice.
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