Protests across Panama against new contract for Canadian copper mining company in biodiverse north

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Protesters marched across Panama against a contract extension for copper mining in a biodiverse region. Teachers, construction workers and environmentalists led the demonstrations Monday. In areas outside Panama City police met protesters with tear gas.

Demonstrators pull down a barricade during a protest against a recently approved mining contract between the government and Canadian mining company First Quantum, outside the National Assembly in Panama City, Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. A demonstrator throws back a tear gas canister during clashes with the police at a protest against a recently approved mining contract between the government and Canadian mining company First Quantum, outside the National Assembly in Panama City, Monday, Oct.

Across Panama City, peaceful protesters handed out fliers, but in some areas on the outskirts of the capital police met protesters with tear gas. In anticipation of the largest marches since a cost of living crisis last July, both the Department of Education and the University of Panama cancelled classes.

, allowing its local subsidiary, Minera Panama, to continue operating a huge open-pit copper mine in central Panama for at least 20 more years. The mine wasProtests began after President Laurentino Cortizo signed off on that contract on Friday after it was approved by the congress. Teachers were joined by construction workers, who are one of country’s most powerful labor groups. “The people are in the streets in defense of sovereignty,” said union leader Saúl Méndez, “in the face of a contract that cedes self-determination by devastating the environment to steal resources.”

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