Panamanians on fifth day of protests against mining concession | News
Workers and representatives of various Panamanian sectors resumed their mobilizations this Friday in rejection of mining and the signing by the Government of President Laurentino Cortizo of Law 406, which grants a Canadian multinational a concession to exploit a copper mine for another 20 years. north of the Central American country.
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Panamanian police repress march against mining exploitation
After the repression carried out the day before against the protesters, the Panama Teachers Association called for a large demonstration this Friday starting at 10:00 in the Iglesia del Carmen, in a central area of the capital.
With this mobilization, the country enters the fifth day of protests rejecting the aforementioned contract. In messages spread through social networks, people are seen gathering in public spaces to demand that the Government reverse the renewal of a mining concession to the subsidiary of the Canadian transnational First Quantum Minerals.
Our march salutes health workers. Unity is forged in the streets.
The divisive narrative of the media, the government and the mining company WILL NOT BE ABLE pic.twitter.com/S4KmLBlGFy— Suntracs Panama ⚒ (@SuntracsPanama)
October 27, 2023
Since early in the morning, according to local media, closures have been reported on important communication routes, such as the Inter-American Highway and the capital's Southern Corridor, blocked at various points.
Members of the Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs), one of the most combative unions, closed 12 de Octubre Avenue and held a sit-in in front of the Medcom Corporation headquarters. After an hour and a half of fighting, they reopened the road.
The mining contract has been repeatedly criticized because the activity of the aforementioned mining company has caused damage to the environment and the health of communities in surrounding areas, among other reasons. Experts and human rights organizations have also stated that this law grants First Quantum Minerals a group of conditions to develop mining activity that undermine national sovereignty and are unconstitutional.
This Friday, a protest against the aforementioned mining contract was also reported in the Spanish city of Barcelona, in front of the headquarters of the Panamanian diplomatic representation there.
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