"Mass protests in Panama to reject new concession for largest copper mine in Central America", 27 October 2023

...The decision to award a 20-year extended concession to a Canadian company to exploit the largest open pit copper mine in Central America has triggered unprecedented protests in Panama. Several people were injured and dozens arrested in clashes between police and protesters, while major roads experienced cuts throughout the Latin American country. The protests reached the doors of the Marriott Hotel in the capital, where environment ministers, representatives of non-profit groups, and regional decision-makers were meeting for Climate Week in Latin America and the Caribbean.

...Lawmakers gave final approval to the extended concession on Friday of last week. “The document is injurious to the Panamanian State in practically all of its clauses,” said Raisa Banfield, director of the Sustainable Panama Foundation.

The reasons for this rejection boil down to two main arguments: one, the contract seems to have been drafted behind the community’s back. The law was debated, approved and sanctioned by the government in record time: just three days. Furthermore, according to Banfield, people were not allowed to consult the document properly before it reached the floor for debate...

Environmentalists are concerned. “In terms of water, they will be able to divert, retain and create their own reservoirs, from natural water sources, putting at risk the water for consumption of the surrounding population and, in the future, the possible expansion of the sources from the Panama Canal”...

The new contract began to be negotiated between the company and the government in 2022, but it was not until March 2023 that people learned about it...

In the midst of the marches and protests against him, on Tuesday, President Laurentino Cortizo spoke out against the protesters...

...Local media have reported shortages of products in supermarkets, heavy security and the use of tear gas to disperse protesters...