Friday
Friday 16th February 2024.
February 15, 2024
First Quantum CEO Tristán Pascall revealed that the Canadian company would be seeking a sensible solution with the Panamanian government following the closure of the Donoso mine.
Although he considers the company’s case to be “extremely solid,” referring to the legal dispute after being left without a firm contract, Pascall told the Financial Post that he is seeking another sensible solution with the Panamanian government by mentioning the two arbitration demands it filed. the mining company against the country, after the unconstitutionality ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice that considered that the mining contract violated 25 articles of the Constitution of Panama.
In addition to the arbitrations filed by the Canadian mining company, Korean media have reported that the state company Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corp. (Komir) is preparing to file a lawsuit against Panama for $747 million for the closure of the Cobre Panamá mine, in the province of Colón, in which it has a 10% stake.
The Korea Economic Daily newspaper reported that Komir is seeking compensation through an investor-state dispute settlement mechanism known as international arbitration (SDS).
After the stoppage of operations at the Donoso mine, which contributed 40% of the Canadian mining company’s income and which until November 2023 generated 330 thousand tons of copper, First Quantum has announced that it is exploring the possibility of some of its projects. smaller ones, including a mine in Spain. It is also exploring the possibility of putting new shares into circulation, but this package would only be available to its current shareholders.
Pascall also mentioned that the unrest shown by the population against the mining issue has decreased in recent months, opening a door to discuss the positive impact that the activity has on the Panamanian economy.
It is impossible for the next government of Panama to ignore the contribution of the mining sector to the country’s economy, said the top executive director of First Quantum.
The government of Laurentino Cortizo will not make decisions to guarantee the new water sources that the Panama Canal needs.
Cortizo has not given a formal response to the request from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) , which communicated the prevailing need to propose legal modifications that allow the entity to build new reservoirs and expand the limits of the hydrographic basin it manages.
Within the ACP, said inaction is a clear sign that the issue will be postponed for the new presidential administration, after the general elections on May 5.
There has been no written and formal response since that last letter sent to Cortizo on January 15, in which the president of the Canal’s board of directors, Aristides Royo, requested the Cabinet Council to consider supporting the resolution that approves the limits of the hydrographic basin, proposed by the ACP, presented since September 29, 2023.
Cortizo governs until the month of June and the clock leaves no room for maneuver. The legal reforms that would allow the ACP to move forward with its water plan must go through the National Assembly.
In this State body, the ordinary sessions will end in a month and a half, on April 30, and in the midst of the electoral effervescence, it is unlikely that extraordinary sessions will be called to resolve the problem of the lack of water before the periods. increasingly severe drought conditions.
The Nicaraguan Embassy in Panama made the decision not to serve its nationals at the diplomatic headquarters this Thursday, February 15.
At least 15 people showed up at the scene during the morning to carry out legal procedures, but were unable to complete their processes.
The door to the diplomatic headquarters is closed. When Nicaraguans tried to enter to carry out license certification processes, notarial registrations, renewal or withdrawal of passports, they were informed through a small window that this would not be possible, at least on the morning of that Thursday.
One of those affected commented that on Wednesday, February 14, she called the embassy to confirm that they would serve the public during regular hours, but upon arriving she was surprised that no procedure could be carried out.
He explained that embassy officials told him that it was a last-minute decision, without going into details.
Since last February 7, former president Ricardo Martinelli has been in the Nicaraguan Embassy, after the Daniel Ortega regime granted him asylum.
Martinelli, who receives visits from family members, lawyers, politicians and allied journalists, has remodeled the Nicaraguan diplomatic headquarters in Panama, equipping it with televisions, furniture, air conditioners, water pumping systems and family-sized barbecues.
After 35 months as attorney in charge, Javier Caraballo took office this Thursday, February 15, as attorney of the Nation in an event held in the Yellow Room of the Presidency of the Republic.
He assumed office before President Laurentino Cortizo . Also present at the event were the Minister of Public Security, Juan Pino; Judge María Eugenia López, president of the Supreme Court of Justice; Rigoberto González, Attorney General of the Administration, and directors of security establishments.
“We are here renewing our commitment to Panamanian citizens, to provide a fair, equitable and independent justice administration service,” Caraballo said.
It was on January 30 that the Cabinet Council agreed to the appointment of Caraballo to occupy the position of Attorney General, for the rest of the period that expires on December 31, 2024. Subsequently, the plenary session of the National Assembly ratified it in the position with 49 votes in favor and one abstention.
Caraballo remained as attorney in charge since March 1, 2021, after the resignation of the then attorney Eduardo Ulloa. With 23 years of service in the Public Ministry, Caraballo held several positions: First Senior Drug Prosecutor, Senior Regional Prosecutor of Colón and Guna Yala, Senior Prosecutor for Organized Crime, Delegate Prosecutor Specialized in Drug-Related Crimes in Coclé and Veraguas and also in the province of Colón.
The Catholic Church made public this Thursday the resignation of Cardinal José Luis Lacunza from the pastoral government of the Diocese of David, Chiriquí.
In a statement, the Apostolic Nunciature explained on February 15 that Lacunza’s resignation was accepted by Pope Francis due to his age limit. Lacunza, born on February 24, 1944, is 79 years old.
According to the Vatican, a cardinal who turns 80 loses the right to participate in a Conclave as an elector. Furthermore, he must present his resignation from the high positions he holds within the church. Lacunza would have presented his formal resignation at 75 years of age.
The Vatican named Lacunza’s replacement this Thursday: it is Brother Luis Enrique Saldaña Guerra , who until now is provincial minister of the “Franciscan Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe” in Central America and Panama.
The new bishop, 58 years old, was born in Chiriquí , on February 24, 1966. Saldaña Guerra made his “solemn profession” in the fraternity of Franciscan friars minor, on February 23, 2002; and ordained a priest on April 29, 2006.
“There are many challenges,” said the new bishop, after indicating that there are several issues to address, especially in Chiriquí, such as migration.
A French citizen, requested through a red notice for extradition purposes issued by the authorities of his country of origin, was arrested by the National Police through Interpol Panama.
This is a 35-year-old man, whose arrest occurred when he arrived at Tocumen International Airport from Kingston (Jamaica), after being denied admission to said Caribbean country.
The arrest warrant is related to the request of the French authorities for the alleged commission of crimes that include fraudulent alteration of the truth in writing, use of forgery in writing, fraud carried out in an organized group and aggravated laundering.
The French citizen will be referred to the Superior Prosecutor’s Office for International Affairs for a hearing.
A person died as a result of a robbery in a food sales establishment located in the Villa Lucre neighborhood , José Domingo Espinar district, San Miguelito district.
This is the owner of the establishment, who, while trying to thwart the theft of the cash register, was hit by a firearm. This person was transferred to the Susana Jones Cano hospital , also within Villa Lucre, where his death was later confirmed.
The Deputy Commissioner of the National Police, Francisco Mela, reported that three people were arrested for their alleged participation in this robbery with a firearm, which occurred specifically on 15th Street in Villa Lucre, after midnight this Thursday.
The criminals tried to escape in a white sedan vehicle, but were captured after a chase along Domingo Díaz Avenue, at the San Miguelito Metro station.