The weak Panamanian judicial system is once again facing pressure from the powerful multinational mining industry, which seeks to influence the sovereign decisions of the people of Panama and reactivate the controversial open-pit mining. In this scenario, a series of lawsuits against opponents of the controversial contract between the Panamanian government and the company Minera Panamá, S.A., a subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals, are observed. Concurrently, there looms the threat of international arbitration in a Miami court, aimed at forcing the Panamanian state to comply with alleged contractual agreements.
Intensive mining exerts a negative impact on a country whose geography is fragile and narrow, compromising water sources and damaging important stretches of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. In light of this situation, it is urgent to demand the rejection of environmental injustice and resist attempts to transform Panama into a site of mining exploitation to the detriment of the environment and the well-being of the population.
--- In conclusion, the judicial system of Panama is caught in the middle of a conflict between commercial interests and environmental protection, plunging the country into a crossroads that endangers its natural resources. The pressure from multinational mining companies poses a threat to the sovereignty and sustainability of Panama, demanding a strong response at both the local and international levels. The defense of ecosystems and the guarantee of sustainable development must be clear priorities on the national agenda to prevent particular interests from prevailing over collective well-being.
