Indigenous communities split on hydroelectric agreement

Divisions in the leadership of the Ngäbe Bugle have resurfaced with the President of the General Congress President of the General Congress rejecting the recent agreement signed after prolonged dialog in Panama.

Cielo Guerra  of the Ngäbe Traditional Bugle region on Monday, March 19 voiced his rejection of  the agreement signed Thursday March 15 following the dialog between indigenous people and the Government.

At a  press conference he said: "There is strong opposition of the people Ngäbe Bugle to hydroelectric projects we feel that the Coordinator and the cacique [Silvia Carrera] have deviated from the initial goal  which was to get special legislation prohibiting mining and hydroelectric"

The leader also addressed the Barro Blanco Hydroelectric Project, which a table is still open to dialogue and he questioned why  the project has not been resolved. Leaving the the door open to development of  other hydroelectric projects.

While indigenous voices against the agreement signed by the Coordinator and the elected chieftain Silvia Carrera are on the  rise, she  and her negotiating team   are preparing to return to the  table to analyzethe environmental impact study of  the Barro Blanco project.

During the weekend Carrera  met 18 indigenous communities and  asked themto withdraw from the streets.

Guerra said "I have the opportujity to hear all the communities and, we are not divided. The government wants to divide us," he said.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister, Jorge Ricardo Fabrega, said  that the agreement is important and "was made in good faith."

Fabrega said  there are no excuses to close the streets.