Highway blocking protesters demand Varelas presence

Highway blocking protesters demand Varela’s presence
Ngäbe Buglé protesters say they are running out of patience with the “high level” commission appointed by the government to discuss the Barro Blanco hydroelectric project and have moved back to highway blocking to register their displeasure.
They blocked the Pan-American Highway on Friday, July 24 at the entrance of Tolé demanding the presence of President Juan Carlos Varela at a meeting on the project.
Police were on hand but did not initially clear the highway.
Leader Manolo Miranda said they feel deceived by the committee dealing with the issue, as negotiations “have not lead anywhere” since they began in February.
With respect to the meeting that the government has scheduled for July 30, Miranda said that the meeting should have been held Friday, as they had requested.
Inststead, Indigenous leaders met to discuss the failure of Varela to attend the meetings. Miranda said that it is time that the government canceled the project, because of the impact it will have on indigenous communities. The project is 95% complete.
Genisa, the company building the plant, has claimed that it has lost some $40 million due to the blockade by protesters that began in February and is stopping workers getting to the site.