Locals had set up blockades along the Pan-America Highway to protest the recent state approval of mines and reservoirs in their traditional lands and they were joined by indigenous rights activists.
The face off with authorities which later became violent had police move into the rural area of San Felix to bust up the protest that had stranded hundreds of travellers.
Thousands of members of the powerful Ngobe-Bugle indigenous group have stopped traffic on the highway since late January after a mining ban on the western region of the Central American country was lifted.
Desperate to dislodge the defiant demonstrators, police fired smoke canisters to disperse them and wrestle back control of the strategic highway that connects the tiny nation to neighbouring Costa Rica.
According to Reuters report, in spite of the police offensive, protesters did their best to stand their ground. Fearing that the country’s burgeoning mining industry will destroy lush rainforests and forcibly uproot villagers from their homes, tensions between the indigenous activists and authorities are running high.
Activists say dozens of protesters have been injured as a result of police brutality and one indigenous man was allegedly shot in the chest by authorities.
The country’s president has refused to back down to demonstrators demands. A huge boost for Panama’s already booming economy, the potential deals could be worth millions and dozens of bids have already been received from international investors.
