The Chinese authorities have denied this Saturday the accusations made by the Embassy of the United States in Costa Rica regarding alleged coercive practices by Chinese mining companies in Nicaragua and their presumed involvement in illegal mining activities in Costa Rican territory, insisting that these companies do not operate in those areas.
In an official note, the Embassy of China in Nicaragua has responded to the publication of the U.S. legation in Costa Rica, which pointed to Beijing for "employing abusive tactics, such as forcing artisanal miners to sell their gold below market price."
"(The United States) unfoundedly accuses Chinese mining companies in Nicaragua of resorting to coercive practices and links their activities to illegal mining in Costa Rica. It should be noted that Chinese companies do not engage in mining activities on the border between Nicaragua and Costa Rica or in the surrounding areas," the Chinese embassy defended in a statement.
Beijing maintains that "the accusations made by the U.S. side lack factual basis and deliberately confuse distinct issues," which, in its view, are "irresponsible."
The Chinese diplomatic representation has asked Washington to "respect the facts and abandon unfounded accusations," demanding that the White House stop "using the mining issue to discredit cooperation between China and Nicaragua," countries that maintain a close relationship, against the stance of the United States, which seeks to "isolate" Managua for its rejection of the government led by Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.
For its part, the U.S. embassy in San José warned last Friday that the practices of Chinese companies established in Nicaragua would be favoring the displacement of miners to Costa Rica, where they would extract gold irregularly.
"As a result of these coercive tactics by Chinese mining companies, more and more Nicaraguan miners are crossing the border to enter Costa Rica and extract gold illegally," the ministry stated.
The complaint is framed within the criticisms of the Costa Rican government and Nicaraguan environmental organizations regarding the mining concessions granted by the government of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo to Chinese capital firms and the increase in illegal gold exploitation in Crucitas, in the northern province of Alajuela, near the border with Nicaragua.