Opposition to Barro Blanco continues

CONTINUING road closures and confrontations with police units between in Gualaquita in Bocas Del Toro have led President Juan Carlos Varela to call for dialogue with indigenous people opposed to the agreement allowing the completion of the Barro Blanco hydroelectric project.
Varela, who was stoned on the day the agreement was signed said that dialogue is the way to address problems.
He added that there is generally peace in the country that is due to his government’s willingness to address problems through dialogue.
The government reached a deal with indigenous leaders this week that will allow the completion of the project in exchange for concessions, such as providing a percentage of the income from the sale of power from the project to indigenous communities.
But some residents remain adamantly opposed to the project and have vowed to continue fighting it.
A statement signed by committee president Rogelio Montezuma, said the national government is responsible for all police repression that violates individual or collective rights of protesters against the agreement.
Seven police officers and over a dozen protesters have been injured

The statement: that the demonstrators will continue to defend their natural resources