"Panama’s Judiciary Rejects Public Consultation on Copper Mining Contract", 31 October 2023

...The nation’s judiciary has declared that it is ‘legally impossible’ to stage a public consultation on the state contract with the Mining Company of Panama (Minera Panamá) for copper exports, a move previously proposed by President Laurentino Cortizo. This development stirs questions about the balance of power in Panama and the broader implications of the judiciary’s position...

President Cortizo suggested holding a referendum on December 17 to pacify ongoing protests against the mining contract. He had hoped to generate social peace through public consensus. However, the Electoral Court of Panama dismissed the proposition, citing the current unrest as an impediment to organizing a vote.

Undeterred by the court’s decision, President Cortizo forwarded a bill to Congress, seeking to mandate the tribunal to arrange a referendum. Yet, the court’s president, Alfredo Junca, revealed that the matter is also before the Supreme Court, rendering the referendum proposition moot...