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Panamanian president consults attorney general to repeal mining contract

Panamanian president consults attorney general to repeal mining contract
Photo: EFE

November 17 |

The President of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo, announced Thursday that a consultation was made to the Attorney General of the Administration, Rigoberto Gonzalez, on the legal feasibility of repealing Law 406 that contains the contract between the Panamanian State and Minera Panama.

“In relation to the request for the repeal of Law 406 presented to the Executive on November 9 by organized groups, we have consulted the Attorney General of the Administration on the legal viability of such request,” the President said in a televised message to the nation.

Regarding Law 407 of November 3, 2023, which prohibits metallic mining in Panama, he specified that in immediate compliance with its provision, “the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the National Directorate of Mineral Resources, proceeded to process the cancellation of seven concessions and will continue the process within the term established by law with the other pending concessions”.

He also informed that the company Minera Panamá made the payment corresponding to its obligations established in the contract law, and while waiting for the ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice, instructed the Ministry of Economy and Finance so that the money received is not used and is kept in a restricted account in the National Bank of Panama.

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In this respect, the Panamanian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) issued a statement in which it highlighted that Minera Panamá delivered to the General Revenue Directorate (DGI) a total of US$ 562,840,543, in accordance with the obligations established in the contract law.

In his speech, the Panamanian Head of State urged “to put aside personal, ideological, political or economic interests”, since “the solution of national problems requires the participation of all Panamanians with respect, listening to all opinions, considering the realities and always abiding by the laws”.

Likewise, he asked the Panamanian people to wait for the times determined by the rulings of the Supreme Court of Justice and reiterated that he will abide by the ruling issued by this entity on Law 406 of the mining contract.

For 27 days, thousands of Panamanians have been demonstrating massively and have closed the main roads, preventing the passage of vehicles, as a protest against Law 406 which approves broad concessions between the State and Minera Panama, with negative environmental impacts, which calls into question national sovereignty.

The President had ratified Law 406 between the State and Minera Panamá, of the Canadian company First Quantum Minerals (FQM), to exploit the largest open pit copper mine in Central America.

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Panama grants Martinelli 72-hour extension to travel to Nicaragua

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“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.

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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.

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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.

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