Mining protests continue – provincial bus services frozen

Despite the announcement by President Laurentino Cortizo of a referendum to define the future of Law 406 (which establishes the contract between the State and the Canadian First Quantum Minerals to explore and exploit the Cobre Panamá mine) and elevate as law the moratorium on new mining concessions, the road in front of the University of Panama (UP) has been blocked since the early hours of  Monday and there are closures elsewhere in different parts of the country with streets and avenues blocked again.

There are 20 routes that will maintain the suspension of collective service in the province of Chiriquí.

The provinces of Veraguas, Herrera, and Chiriquí declared a work stoppage as a measure of pressure against the mining contract.

The transporters of Veraguas paralyzed the service for another 24 hours while those of Herrera decreed the total closure of the accesses and services of the transport terminal of the city of Chitré.

The transport unions of Chiriquí stated that they are maintaining the suspension of the service until they have guarantees.

The unions ask the authorities to find a prompt solution to the problem of road closures and the shortage of fuel in the country.