Panama's Anti-Mining Protests: Temporary Suspension of Road Blockades Announced

Indigenous Groups Demand Annulment of Mining Contract Amid Concerns Over Biodiversity

Indigenous anti-mining protesters in Panama have announced a temporary 12-hour suspension of road blockades on Monday.
The protesters are demanding the annulment of a contract allowing Canadian mining company First Quantum Minerals to operate an open-pit copper mine in a biodiverse jungle for the next 20 years.
The protests, which have paralyzed key roadways for weeks, have led to shortages of fuel and food in many regions.
Two demonstrators were killed last week, drawing international attention to the protests.
Despite the government's claim that the mine is a key source of jobs, Indigenous groups argue that the mining threatens delicate ecosystems they protect.