[News] 5 keys to understanding the massive protests in Panama that have paralyzed the country

[ぁ Ꭷbito-]

Panama celebrates its national holidays in November mired in protests and strikes that have partially paralyzed the country.

Shouting "This country is not for sale, this country is defended!", thousands of Panamanians have taken to the streets for ten days in rejection of the express approval of a contract between the State and the company Minera Panamá, to exploit the largest open pit copper mine in Central America.

The widespread discontent, as a result of a decision that they consider to be without consultation and unconstitutional by the government, is leading to street closures throughout the country, work stoppages by different unions, closed schools and the suspension of patriotic parades, to be held next 3 November, the day that commemorates the 120th anniversary of the separation of Colombia.

Such a level of conflict - as massive as it is prolonged - has not been seen since the time of Manuel Antonio Noriega's dictatorship.

"Through citizen participation, through voting we will be able to legitimize the will of the people, the result of which will be mandatory. The people are the sovereign," the president stated on Sunday the 29th to calm the protests.

 

 

Days before, he had decreed a mining moratorium, with the idea of prohibiting new concessions. A measure in line with the start this Tuesday of the first discussion in the National Assembly of a bill that limits the granting of other contracts for the exploitation of metal mining in Panama.

However, the government's attempts have not mitigated the displeasure of Panamanians, who are accumulating complaints not only for the non-transparent management of mining contracts (15 in force and 103 under discussion), but also for the misappropriation of public funds, the lack of representativeness in politics and the cost of living.

The po[CENSORED]r request is that the work of the Minera Panamá company be suspended until the ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice is known in response to the six unconstitutionality lawsuits that weigh on the contract.

Until now, the first step was taken by the Trade and Economic Affairs Commission of the National Assembly, whose members approved this Tuesday in the first debate an article that repeals the law contract between the State and Minera Panamá. However, the street is still lit.

 

https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/cl7x74vp7vro