Fresh protests by Ngbe Bugle over hydro-electric project

While President Ricardo Martinelli is still basking in the glow of his 35 minutes meeting with President Barack Obama in Washington, the Ngäbe Bugle indigenous community was preparing to cast a  fresh cloud over his return.

Members of the community were gearing up for  a protest march on Friday, April 29, at the intersection of San Félix, to demand respect for the members of the Ad hoc Committee.

The group began mobilizing  support on Thursday, in Tolé, near San Felix, , said Rogelio Montezuma, Chairman of the Ngäbe Bugle Coordinating Committee for the Protection of Natural Resources and People's Rights.

The Ngäbe community is calling for a new environmental impact study  before work begins on a new  hydro electric project, and are protestinf  the failure of Deputy Minister of Government, Luis Ernesto Carles, to meet with them to address the  issue.

Manolo Miranda, leader of the April 10 Movement, left a meeting yesterday, because the government sent Governor Aixa Santamaría to mediate the discussions, while Vice-Minister Carles failed to appear.

Julio César Lasso, Project Director of hydro-power company Generadora del Istmo S.A. (Genisa), said the company has  met all the requirements under Panamanian law to build a plant.