After this setback, the government authorities insist now on a proposal to amend the Mining Code that is being analyzed by the Trade and Economic Affairs Committee of Parliament.

The Coordination in Defense of Natural Resources and Ngobe Buglé Peoples’ Rights together with Panamanian organizations announced new demonstrations against the government’s plan.

Rogelio Montezuma, a leader of the Coordination told Radio Temblor in a report for ALER news agency that the attempt to impose such changes “is a mockery and lack of respect” to the communities resisting large-scale mining and the agreements reached to suspend the pressure measures.

“The government fails to comply with the agreements, it is a clear message that it is necessary to take action again. The native peoples are telling the government we do not want mining”, said the indigenous leader.

Montezuma said a “special law” is needed instead of the amendment bill that is being discussed by the Trade and Economic Affairs Committee of Parliament, to protect water and mining resources.

With the amendments introduced to the Mining Code, the government aims, according to its spokespersons, to “use state foreign investment in local mining activities”.

Indigenous leader Silvia Carrera Concepcion told Prensa Latina this weekend that “people are coming from the mountains to resist and protest in the Pan-American highway” to stop the amendment of the mining code.