Panama’s water crisis endangers canal

The Panama Canal Authority has taken heroic measures to efficiently manage the water available for road operations. These actions are only a palliative for this serious threat to the operation of the Canal and, of course, to the competitiveness of the Panamanian economy.

If the transiting ships carry less cargo, or enough draft cannot be guaranteed to cross the Canal, the country loses confidence and international reputation.

 It would be clear to the entire world that Panama is not able to manage the water necessary for this activity. Panama has a history of negligence and indifference to environmental issues that, such as climate change and deforestation, now faces an expensive bill.

 The water crisis facing agriculture, industry, tourism, the Canal and, of course, human consumption, urgently requires decisive state action, perhaps with the same intensity as the response to the coronavirus. If we do not guarantee the availability of water in quality and quantity sufficient for our present and future needs, we will lose the country through ignominy and ignorance. This task is vital and requires immediate decisions – LA PRENSA, Mar 8