Central America

Panamanian government is being asked to review mining contract

Photo: La Estrella de Panamá

September 7 |

Inhabitants of communities in the Omar Torrijos Herrera district, in the province of Colon, northern Panama, demanded Wednesday that improvements be made to the contract between the Panamanian State and the transnational company Minera Panama and that local suppliers be taken into account.

During the consultation of the contract with the communities, organized by the National Assembly, residents of the community of Coclesito stated that the relationship with the mining company has produced improvements in income and infrastructure.

However, one resident, Abel Oliveros, asked the Minister of Commerce and Industries, Federico Alfaro, to review the mining contract because there are concepts, such as “expropriating land”, which make the residents vulnerable. He added that for decades the Panamanian government never took their opinions into account.

Another resident of the area and local service provider for the mine, Noemí Solís, stated that the communities around the mining project have the right to develop. She stressed the need for the mining company to prioritize local suppliers and offer them opportunities to grow. He explained that “there are people with the capacity and interest” and that the communities need to receive investment and resources.

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Discussions with communities on Bill 1043, organized by the Parliament’s Trade and Economic Affairs Committee, have already been held in the Donoso district of Colon. After finishing in Coclesito, it is planned to move to the district of La Pintada, in the province of Coclé, south of Coclé.

Once the opinion of the people has been gathered, the first debate of the document will take place in said commission before sending it to the Plenary of the National Assembly.

Last Tuesday, protests were registered in different points of Panama against the referred contract, which would protect the exploitation of copper by the Canadian mining company First Quantum Minerals LTD. In the opinion of the demonstrators, the contract imposes a colonialist relationship on Panama and would validate the plundering of its natural resources. On the other hand, they denounced that the consultations with the communities are not binding.

Central America

Guatemalan police officer killed in mob riots over baby kidnapping

A police officer was killed during riots provoked by an enraged mob in a Guatemalan town following the kidnapping of a baby, the government reported on Wednesday.

The incidents began on Tuesday night and continued into the early hours of Wednesday in the town of San Vicente Pacaya, about 25 km south of the capital, according to Minister of the Interior Francisco Jiménez.

“There was an incident in San Vicente Pacaya where, unfortunately, a police officer died after being struck in the head with a stone. He passed away this morning,” Jiménez said in a press conference.

He explained that the unrest erupted following the arrest of two suspects in connection with the kidnapping of “a baby just a few months old,” including a woman with a criminal record.

Sports

Venezuela investigates 18 baseball players seeking asylum in Spain

Maduro calls on military to be alert to alleged plan by "fascist groups"

The Venezuelan government announced on Wednesday that it is investigating the case of 18 baseball players who are “under the supervision of Spanish authorities” after seeking protection.

In a statement, Venezuelan authorities said they are working to determine whether this case involves “a possible human trafficking scheme,” though they have not provided any evidence of such a crime.

The Venezuelan government emphasized its commitment to protecting the country’s athletes while also denouncing the use of international legal frameworks by certain governments allegedly seeking to discredit the administration.

CNN reached out to Spain’s National Police for a response to Venezuela’s claims. According to Spanish authorities, the 18 young athletes—including two minors—arrived in Spain to participate in a series of matches but had already planned to apply for asylum. Authorities confirmed on Tuesday that they had begun interviewing the players to process their international protection requests.

The team’s coach addressed the situation in a TikTok video, refuting local media reports that he had abandoned the athletes. He asserted that the players chose to remain in Barcelona to secure the necessary permits to sign with other teams and that their decision was unrelated to any political motivations.

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Sports

Filipe Luis debuts as coach in Copa Libertadores with Flamengo

A two-time Copa Libertadores champion with Flamengo during his playing days, Filipe Luis will make his managerial debut in the tournament this Thursday when the popular Rio de Janeiro club faces Venezuela’s Deportivo Táchira.

Placed in Group C alongside Táchira, Liga de Quito, and Argentina’s Central Córdoba, Flamengo starts as one of the favorites—a major challenge for the 39-year-old former player.

His early coaching career has been off to a strong start.

After retiring in 2023, Filipe Luis took over as Flamengo’s head coach on September 30. Just 41 days later, he won his first title, the Copa do Brasil. The year 2025 has already brought two more trophies: the Supercopa do Brasil, where Flamengo defeated Botafogo—current Libertadores and Brasileirão champions—3-1, and the Campeonato Carioca.

At 8:30 PM local time (00:30 GMT Friday), Flamengo under Filipe Luis will make its international debut at Estadio Pueblo Nuevo in San Cristóbal. Although Gerson, Uruguayan Giorgian de Arrascaeta, and Ecuadorian Gonzalo Plata are unavailable, the squad still boasts attacking firepower with Bruno Henrique and Everton.