Central America

Panamanian union calls for protests against mining contract

Photo: EFE

October 23 |

The Single Union of Construction Workers (Suntracs) of Panama called this Saturday to popular sectors to new mobilizations in rejection of the Mining Contract, approved the day before by the National Assembly and then by the Executive.

Through a communiqué, the leader of the union, Saúl Méndez, said that the organization will continue fighting against the agreement and urged union, student and civil society groups to continue with the protests.

Méndez emphasized that the Mining Contract – which he categorized as a contract that sells the homeland – allows the plundering of natural resources and damages human health and the environment.

He stated that it is time to take to the streets so that the people can put order before those who are inclined to sell out Panama. He added that in the next few hours they will announce the actions that will be part of the new days of struggle, which will be decided in a national union council to be organized for this Sunday at the Suntracs headquarters.

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He held responsible for what he called an affront to the homeland the Council of Ministers, the 44 deputies who voted for it this Friday, the magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice who endorsed it and President Laurentino Cortizo, who signed it after its approval by the Legislative.

He compared their endorsement of the referred agreement with the attitude of the Panamanian authorities in 1903, when they handed over to the United States the transoceanic Canal, which rightfully belonged to the Panamanian people.

The approval of the contract with the Canadian transnational First Quantum Minerals was also rejected this Saturday by the National Workers Central of Panama, the Ecological Ecclesial Network Mesoamerica-Panama and the Polo Ciudadano movement.

In their statements, they emphasized that the opinions of important sectors of society were not taken into account to sign the agreement, which they point out for the environmental damage, the harm to the communities and the extraordinary concessions made to the foreign company. Some of these concessions are catalogued as violating the law and the Constitution and limiting national sovereignty.

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Central America

Laura Fernández Says She Will ‘Never’ Allow Authoritarianism in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s president-elect, right-wing leader Laura Fernández, said she will “never” allow authoritarianism under her government, in her first speech after winning Sunday’s presidential election.

Fernández, the political heir of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, has been accused by her opponents of seeking to steer the country toward authoritarian rule through her hardline proposals against drug trafficking and plans to reform state institutions.

“I, as the new president of the Republic, will never allow authoritarianism or arbitrariness—things that no one wants in Costa Rica,” Fernández said to cheers from her supporters gathered at a hotel in the capital.

The 39-year-old political scientist criticized her rivals for centering their campaign on what she described as a narrative of “authoritarianism and dictatorship.”

“They tried to scare voters, but the electorate did not fall into the trap,” she said.

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Without offering details, Fernández acknowledged that her administration will seek to change the country’s “political rules of the game,” in what she described as a necessary step for Costa Rica, one of Latin America’s most stable democracies.

Central America

Costa Rica Goes to the Polls as Voters Choose Continuity or Change

Costa Ricans head to the polls today to elect the president of the republic and 57 members of the Legislative Assembly for the 2026–2030 term. Voters must choose between continuing the political project of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves by supporting the ruling right-wing candidate Laura Fernández, or opting for a change in direction proposed by the opposition.

Fernández, representing the Pueblo Soberano Party (PPS), leads opinion polls with close to 40% of voting intention, bolstered by the outgoing president’s approval rating, which exceeds 50%. Chaves is barred from seeking immediate re-election under Costa Rican law.

Trailing far behind is Álvaro Ramos of the National Liberation Party (PLN), with less than 10% support. He is followed by Claudia Dobles of the Citizen Agenda Coalition (CAC), Fabricio Alvarado of New Republic (NR), and Ariel Robles of the Broad Front (FA), each polling between 3% and 5%. Undecided voters, who account for more than 30% of the electorate, could determine the outcome of the presidential race or force a runoff.

In a statement, Costa Rica’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) reaffirmed its commitment to transparent and secure elections. “As has been the case for more than 76 years of democratic life in our country, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal guarantees all Costa Ricans that the national elections to be held this Sunday, February 1, will meet the highest standards of security and absolute transparency, allowing us to continue enjoying electoral processes in peace and freedom,” the institution said.

Authorities reported that 53,251 party observers will take part in the electoral process. Of these, 12,472 belong to the Social Christian Unity Party, 11,524 to Pueblo Soberano, 10,451 to the PLN, and 4,141 to the Citizen Agenda Coalition, among others. In addition, six political parties have sworn in 7,520 members of polling station boardsdeployed nationwide.

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Central America

U.S. and Guatemala Sign Trade Deal Granting Zero Tariffs to Most Exports

The United States signed a reciprocal trade agreement with Guatemala on Friday, under which 70.4% of Guatemalan exports will enter the U.S. market tariff-free.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo highlighted the importance of the agreement, stating that it creates a framework of cooperation, certainty, and new opportunities for producers, workers, and entrepreneurs in the country. His remarks were shared in a video published on his official social media channels.

In 2025, 30.3% of Guatemala’s total exports were destined for the United States, amounting to approximately $4.3 billion. As a result, the agreement is expected to directly benefit key sectors of the Guatemalan economy, including agribusiness, manufacturing, and the textile industry.

“Today we have taken another step toward consolidating a country that, when it moves forward united, generates confidence, attracts investment, and creates real development opportunities for all its people,” Arévalo added.

The agreement with Guatemala follows a similar trade deal signed by the United States with El Salvador on Thursday, which includes the elimination of a 10% tariff on Salvadoran imports.