Tension remains high in Maro where the Sociedad Azucarera Larios is determined to continue land clearance despite local protests from land tenants.

Two protesters were arrested yesterday during demonstrations against the cutting down of trees in the Barranco de Maro area. Apparently, they were arrested for refusing to identify themselves and for alleged disobedience towards the Guardia Civil.

Those arrested were a 45-year-old, Spanish woman and a 30-year-old, Italian man. Both were brought before a justice of the peace but released without charges.

The disturbance occurred on a plot of land, roughly 5,000 sq/m with around 30 fruit trees on it, where earth-moving machinery was working

According to the Acción por Maro y su Agricultura (AMA), the two arrested individuals remained at the site waiting for the arrival of Seprona (Guardia Civil) to verify the legality of the actions but refused to leave when requested to do so by the agents. AMA states that the protest was “peaceful” and puts into doubt the proportionality of the police action.

As said above, the sugar-company that owns the land has been busy clearing it, including the removal of hundreds of non-invasive trees on land classified as non-building land and under special protection as it is close to a heritage monument (the Maro aqueduct).

The Guardia Civil were not there to oppose the protesters but to investigate the earth-moving work and tree removal close to a natural water course and historical irrigation channels. The Nature Protection Department of the Guardia Civil, Seprona, were also making notes on the possible disturbance of fauna during the nesting seasons.

It should be remembered that the sugar company wants to turn the said land into a development project including luxury dwellings and hotels, but has run up against administrative problema, much to the chargrin of the Mayor as such a development would have meant a serious windfall for the municipal coffers.

(News: Maro, Axarquia, Costa del Sol, Malaga, Andalucia – Source: Sur/E. Cabezas)

Keywords: Larios Evictions in Maro, Tree Felling, Protests, Arrests, Guardia Civil, Seprona

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