Argentinian activists block bridges into country

On 15 January 2009 environmental activists in Gualeguaychu, Argentina, announced their intention to continue blocking several bridges leading to Uruguay in protest against an unpopular Uruguayan paper mill. On 16 January the protesters plan to cut off access to Route 135, which leads to General Artigas Bridge, connecting to Paysandu. The group plans to announce further roadblocks. Police officers will be deployed to the Argentine cities of Colon and Concordia (across the border from the Uruguayan cities of Payandu and Salto, respectively) to prevent confrontations between merchants and environmental activists. Officers are not under orders to prevent or remove the roadblocks.