14/06/2026 03:48 - Actualidad
Vista panorámica de un yacimiento petrolero en la pampa argentina al atardecer con torres de extracción y oleoductos, paisaje árido con cielo en tonos naranjas y violetas
The Government of La Pampa —a vast province located in the center of Argentina, known for its agricultural and oil resources— issued a strong joint statement signed by all ministers, state secretaries, the Fiscalía de Estado (State Prosecutor's Office), and the Asesoría Letrada de Gobierno (Government Legal Advisory). They categorically rejected statements made by Deputy Noelia Sosa regarding the Environmental Final Report for the El Medanito project.
The official document labeled the legislator's declarations as part of a political harassment strategy, assuring the public that the process is proceeding with strict controls, citizen participation, and adherence to current regulations.
Sosa, a member of the provincial legislature, had listed several alleged irregularities:
The Cabinet explained that the points raised by Sosa as "revelations" are exactly the items that the enforcement authorities currently have open and under rigorous analysis.
These are not irregularities ignored by the state; they are points the province has not closed because they have not been technically validated yet.
Matías Toso, the Secretary of Energy and Mining, participated in the public hearing and emphasized a key difference between La Pampa and other Argentine provinces regarding environmental management.
"The environmental debt and costs will not be transferred to the people of La Pampa. These costs must be faced by the same people and with the same funds generated by the activity."
Toso confirmed that remediation works in El Medanito are scheduled to begin on June 19, reinforcing the idea that society should not pay for the environmental footprint of production.
years of concession for the El Medanito area
towns supplied by the Colorado River
water analyses conducted since 2000
Environmental authorities reported that both Aguas del Colorado (the provincial water utility) and COIRCO (Comité Interjurisdiccional del Río Colorado - the Interjurisdictional Committee of the Colorado River) have confirmed the absence of hydrocarbons in the river water. The Colorado River is a vital water source for 17 localities in the region.
Furthermore, Leonel Monsalve, the Mayor of 25 de Mayo (a town in the area), has requested an equitable distribution of the resources generated by the project.
El Medanito is a hydrocarbon area (oil and gas) in La Pampa undergoing a bidding process for its exploitation. This project represents a significant economic opportunity for the province.
This marks the first public hearing of this nature held in the province. The Cabinet noted that a previous complaint filed by Deputy Sosa regarding the bidding process was archived (dismissed) by the Administrative Investigations Office, and that no member of her own political bloc supported the attempt to legally challenge the bidding.
Sources: APN La Pampa | La Arena
Alfredo S. Quiroga
