Monday
Monday 24th March 2025.
March 23, 2025
A group of citizens participated in a vigil called “For Our Water” on the coastal strip, specifically in the area of the Panama sign, on Sunday afternoon, March 23, 2025.
During the event, attendees chanted slogans rejecting mining activity in the country. The protest follows President José Raúl Mulino’s announcement that internal discussions will begin this week regarding the situation at the copper mine in Donoso (Colón).
Last Thursday, at his regular press conference, Mulino called mining opponents “five cats,” sparking a strong reaction among protesters. In response, several attendees at the vigil carried images of cats as a symbol of protest.
“There are more and more of us being cat-like, monitoring their actions,” read one of the banners, while another said: “What Panama needs to root out is corruption.”
During the vigil, flags were waved, the song “Viva Panamá” was sung , and slogans such as “Panama is worth more without mining” were chanted.
The call for the vigil was promoted by the movements Get Out of the Nets, Panama Without Mining, New Sovereignty Vigil, and It’s Already, in addition to the Environmental Advocacy Center and the organization Adopt a Forest in Panama.
Members of teachers’ unions, such as the Panama Teachers Association and the Veraguas Educators Association, also participated in the demonstration.
The attendees claimed that President Mulino is seeking to reactivate mining activity in the country, despite the fact that on November 28, 2023, the Supreme Court of Justice declared Contract Law No. 406 unconstitutional, thus annulling the concession granted to Minera Panamá, SA, a subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals, for the exploitation of the Cobre Panamá mine, located in Donoso, Colón province.
For its part, Cobre Panamá reported that it instructed its lawyers to meet with the Panamanian government’s legal team and suspend legal proceedings related to the mine’s closure.
The Federico Guardia Conte water treatment plant in Chilibre resumed operations on the afternoon of Sunday, March 23, 2025, following the completion of the planned modernization work.
According to the agency, work on the water treatment plant was successfully completed at 3:50 p.m., paving the way for the plant’s startup process.
Thus, the drinking water supply will be restored in Panama and San Miguelito “progressively,” taking longer at high points.
Due to these maintenance efforts, the National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN) temporarily suspended drinking water production, leaving Panama City and the San Miguelito district without water supply since 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.
In a statement, IDAAN explained that the Chilibre water treatment plant, in operation since 1975, requires urgent work due to the deterioration of many of its components, caused by a lack of proper maintenance over the years.
“This is one of the most important projects in the plant’s history. The goal is to optimize the production and supply of drinking water for Panama and San Miguelito,” the institution highlighted on the X social media platform.
The National Police responded to questions from the newspaper La Prensa about its actions in controlling demonstrations at the University of Panama , justifying the use of rubber bullets and denying any assaults on members of the press.
According to the institution, its protocol for controlling demonstrations establishes mediation as the first measure through the corresponding zone commander. However, it noted that when protesters do not respond to calls for dialogue and resort to aggressive means such as throwing rocks, homemade bombs, and other objects, crowd control officers must act to “mitigate the threat” and protect both citizens and the officers themselves.
“All actions of the National Police are governed by our Law 18, Chapter 5, which addresses the use of force,” he stated.
The police explained that, in these cases, the first resource used is pepper spray in non-impact capsules. However, if the “aggressiveness of the protesters increases,” officers resort to “rubber bullets” to contain the protests.
“Rubber ammunition is part of the non-lethal force used by the Crowd Control Unit in these types of violent demonstrations. It is used in accordance with Law 18,” the National Police stated.
Regarding the reports of attacks on photojournalists identified during coverage of the protests at the University, the police stated that at no time did they attack duly accredited press.
“All the rights of journalists were respected. No complaints were filed as of March 22, so we flatly reject what is stated in the question,” he stated.
However, they acknowledged that at specific locations, such as the University of Panama and some areas of Colón, there were clashes in which protesters displayed “high levels of aggression” toward police officers.
However, last Friday, three photojournalists covering the events at the university were targeted by riot police as they dispersed the protesters. Asbel Llorent, who was standing with Bienvenido Velasco, was hit by pellets fired by the officers, while Rodríguez Mariota was shot with a 12-gauge shotgun.
Regarding the video circulated on social media showing police officers brandishing their service weapons during protests on the Transístmica highway near the Hospital Complex, the National Police stated that this action was a warning against a group of protesters attempting to attack two officers whose vehicles had mechanical problems.
In light of these events, the institution confirmed that an internal investigation has been opened to clarify what happened. “The National Police will not accept any approach other than that which governs and prevails in our way of acting, which is to protect all citizens and also to comply with and enforce the law throughout the country,” it added.
The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP) highlighted this Sunday, March 23, the importance of the various international events taking place in Panama this week.
From March 25 to 27, Expocomer, Expo Logística Panamá, Expo Turismo Internacional, Expo Eléctrica Internacional-Panama, and Expo Tech will be held.
“These events, which bring together thousands of businesspeople and visitors from more than 30 countries, generate millions in economic revenue, which also has a multiplier effect,” the business association emphasized in a statement.
According to the CCIAP, international congress and convention tourists become “recurring tourists” who not only return to the destination for leisure tourism, but also act as “multipliers of the country’s benefits.”
Likewise, the CCIAP maintained that the impact of these expo-fairs goes far beyond the commercial transactions closed at each edition. “These fairs represent a key platform for strengthening the business ecosystem, attracting investment, and fostering the growth of strategic sectors,” it added.
In addition, the union indicated, these events generate hundreds of temporary indirect jobs, benefiting workers in sectors such as logistics, security, transportation, construction, hospitality, gastronomy, printing, audiovisual production, marketing, and many others.
“For many people, these temporary opportunities have marked the beginning of a professional career, becoming success stories with permanent jobs and growth within various industries,” he added.
Expocomer, which will take place from March 25 to 27, will feature 600 companies exhibiting products from the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.
Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez addressed the investigation opened by the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), which seeks to determine whether the Panama Canal and six other global shipping routes impose restrictions that could affect international trade.
Vásquez warned that the FMC’s investigation could respond to protectionist views within the United States, which seek to favor specific interests to the detriment of the neutrality that characterizes the Canal’s operation.
” There is a protectionist vision, in some ways , a vision of favoritism in favor of local resources or assets, and there is the vision we have agreed upon, which is the one that guides the operation of the Canal,” he said.
He also emphasized that all maritime channels have inherent limitations due to their capacity and operating conditions.
“We all know that there are sites where global traffic converges, such as the Suez Canal, the Strait of Malacca, and the Panama Canal. These are limited capacities that don’t have the same scope as open-ocean navigation. Therefore, all canals are always restrictive,” Vásquez said.
Regarding the mention of the Panama Canal in the FMC investigation, it should be noted that, since January, President Donald Trump has insisted on “retaking” control of the interoceanic waterway, arguing that China has influence over its operation. This position has been denied by both the ACP and the Panamanian government, which have reiterated that the administration of the Canal remains in Panamanian hands and under the terms of the Neutrality Treaty.
“The demand we’re handling is the demand that’s willing to come through here. For us, treatment is equal for everyone who transits the Panama Canal,” he explained.
The United States Federal Maritime Commission has opened a consultation period to review regulations and practices for the Panama Canal , the English Channel , the Strait of Gibraltar , the Suez Canal , the Strait of Malacca , the Strait of Singapore , and the Northern Sea Route .
In its official register notice of the opening of the consultations, the federal commission maintains that it has recent information indicating that these seven routes have developed conditions “that require careful consideration by the FMC in determining its policies and fulfilling its functions.”
For Panama, the FMC noted that “political instability or disruptions in its operations could have far-reaching consequences.” However, it does not specify what these “instabilities” are, but regarding “disruptions,” it mentions congestion due to high demand and restrictions on daily traffic due to the lack of rain and low lake levels.
“The Canal relies on freshwater from nearby lakes to operate its locks, and prolonged droughts, compounded by unpredictable rainfall patterns, can significantly reduce available water levels, impairing its operation and efficiency,” states the register notice , signed by David Eng, secretary of the FMC .
If the investigation determines that Panama is engaging in restrictive practices, the United States could impose sanctions, including prohibiting Panamanian-registered vessels from entering U.S. ports.
However, the FMC’s consultation process will continue for 60 days, starting March 13, with special interest in testimony from shipping companies, cargo operators, and foreign governments.
The FMC, whose president is Louis Sola , has fueled U.S. President Donald Trump’s theory about alleged Chinese control over the operation of the Panama Canal. This has been consistently denied by the Panamanian government and the ACP.
In addition, Sola has promoted the creation of a new White House shipbuilding office, part of the Trump administration’s strategy to curb China’s dominance in the maritime industry.
Sola also plans to build a private marina and cruise port on Flamenco Island, in Amador, right at the Pacific entrance to the Canal. However, President José Raúl Mulino warned that he will not allow “someone who attacks us miserably and falsely, as he did,” to do business on state land.