Panama’s President, Laurentino Cortizo, approved on Friday, October 20, 2023, amid protests, a new contract with the Canadian company First Quantum Minerals for the operation in the country of the largest mine in Central America.
The approval came amid protests against a contract that allows the mining company to operate in Panama for 20 years, extendable by another 20 years. Access routes to Panama City were intermittently blocked on Friday, with burning tires and marches.
Anger and frustration at the government have escalated the protests, which are happening across the entire nation. The PanAmerican highway, the major (and often only) route across the country has been blocked in numerous areas, often 24/7. The citizens are fighting for control of their land and want the mining contract declared unconstitutional by the highest courts in Panama.
The attached YouTube video provides a good overview of the crisis gripping the nation.