Protests against mining to start back up Tuesday in Panama

Protesting indigenous Ngabe-Bugle Indians have partially closed the Pan American highway at San Felix, according to several sources. Today negotiations on the controversial Article 5 of Bill 415 resumed in the National Assembly. Late this afternoon the Indians who have been camped in the 5th of May Plaza blocked both entrances to the National Assembly, and they won’t allow anyone to enter or leave, demanding that the National Assembly pass the Bill, as they want it, right now. Earlier today other protesters closed a roadway and prevented about 60 public school teachers from arriving at their schools, today being the first day of classes of the new school year. This afternoon the talks in the National Assembly were declared to be in recess, until 9:00 am tomorrow morning. Read Article