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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CEL

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

Panama grants Martinelli 72-hour extension to travel to Nicaragua

On Monday (March 31, 2025), Panama extended the safe-conduct pass for former President Ricardo Martinelli by three more days to allow him to travel to Nicaragua, after the Central American country refused to receive him due to concerns over an alleged Interpol arrest warrant.

“The National Government has decided to extend the validity of the safe-conduct pass for an additional seventy-two (72) hours, until the end of Thursday, April 3, 2025,” the Panamanian Foreign Ministry stated in a communiqué. The original permit was set to expire Monday at midnight (05:00 GMT on Tuesday).

The Foreign Ministry explained that regarding the ‘humanitarian asylum’ granted to Martinelli last Thursday, which was set to expire Monday at midnight, the Nicaraguan government requested clarifications about an apparent Interpol alert, which had already been dismissed as inadmissible.

Additionally, the Panamanian Supreme Court of Justice, as the highest authority of the Judicial Branch, stated on Monday that it had “no objections” to granting asylum and a safe-conduct to Martinelli, as it falls under the jurisdiction of the Executive Branch.

Central America

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary urges Mexico to strengthen Guatemala border

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed on Monday that during last week’s meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, she urged Mexico to reinforce its border with Guatemala and share biometric datawith U.S. authorities.

“I gave her a list of things that President Trump would love to see. And it was exceptional. It was supposed to be a half-hour meeting, but we talked for nearly two hours. It was very productive,” Noem said in an interview with Fox News.

The Homeland Security Secretary requested that Sheinbaum, who has already deployed 10,000 National Guard troopsalong Mexico’s northern border with the U.S., also secure Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala.

Noem added that she also asked the Mexican president to share biometric data with the U.S., to which Sheinbaum responded that she was “willing to discuss it,” although she acknowledged that it could be a controversial issue in her country.

Central America

Panama police clarifies that Interpol alert for Martinelli is still pending

Panama’s National Police clarified on Sunday that an Interpol alert request for former President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014) is still under review and has yet to be confirmed. Martinelli was granted a safe-conduct pass last Thursday to leave the Nicaraguan embassy, where he has been seeking asylum since February 2024 after being convicted of corruption.

“The National Police clarifies that there is currently an active process for an Interpol alert, requested by Judge Baloisa Marquínez, against former President Ricardo Martinelli. This request must be analyzed by Interpol’s General Secretariat (headquartered in France) for approval or rejection. If approved, it will be notified to member countries,” the police stated in a press release sent to EFE.

According to the statement, “at the moment, it remains an ongoing procedure, and former President Martinelli does not have a confirmed alert.”

The announcement came hours after National Police Director Jaime Fernández had told the press that an “Interpol alert” for Martinelli had been received on Friday.