(ANS - Barinas) - In the 32 years of existence of the Salesian Agricultural School of San José on the outskirts of the city of Barinas, this is not the first time that groups of people, who claim to be cooperatives or associations with different names have tried to occupy their land, but so far all these attempts have been resolved in a positive way.

However, on 11 February, a group calling itself Corpoelec invaded part of the property, cut down trees in a small forest, built makeshift huts and claimed their right to housing. The abuse was condemned by the school students, who by that time were unable to hold classes regularly. The students have been joined by workers’ associations, members of the Church and the Salesians, who have also issued a statement of protest against the violation of their rights by this group. The matter has been brought to the Standing Committee on Environment and the Sub-Committees on Education and the National Agribusiness Development.

The violence continued. At 4.00 a.m. on 23 February, a truck belonging to the institute was burnt inside the school grounds. When the Salesians ran to the fire services in order to extinguish the fire, they found that they were not working and the electrical panel had also been tampered with.  Still, this episode caused only material damage.

In light of these events, the Director of the school, Fr Rafael Montenegro had to seek protection for the 220 young students who are being educated technically and socially at the institute.  They are mostly minors.

"In accordance with article 322 of the Law for the Protection of Children and Adolescents, we urge that steps be taken for the eviction of this group of people who are disturbing and violating the rights of the above mentioned provisions of law, in order to safeguard the facilities of this institution, as there is the imminent fear of increased aggression, and that the lives of adolescents who reside inside the institute will be put at risk."

The Salesians of Venezuela and the Church community condemn these acts of violence and are confident that the rule of law will support their request for expulsion of these groups from the school.

The statement of the Salesians is available in Spanish on the website sdb.org.

Published 29/02/2016