Workers continue anti-mining street closures

Construction workers returned to the streets again on Friday, September 29, in rejection of mining activity in the country and promised to continue their protests until mining development is suspended.

The workers closed points such as the entrance to Panama Pacifico. There were also protests on Balboa Avenue, Arraiján-La Chorrera highway, Panama Viejo, South corridor (near Santa María), in Azuero and Santiago de Veraguas.

“Panama is not and will not be a mining country” and “Without struggle, there is no victory” were some of the slogans displayed in the protests.

On Thursday, with five votes in favor, the Commerce and Economic Affairs Commission of the National Assembly approved, , the suspension of the first debate of the bill on the mining contract and recommended that the Executive withdraw the document. Another four votes were against because they sought to reject the project in the first debate.

The workers affiliated with Suntracs have said that the actions in the streets will continue until the development of mining in Panama is stopped.