A 77-year-old man was arrested after shooting two environmentalists during a protest in Panama. The incident occurred as anti-government protests against a mining contract intensified. The shooter, identified as Kenneth Darlington, was charged with murder and illegal possession of a gun. The protests have caused significant losses to businesses and disrupted daily life in Panama. WION Web Team reported
A 77-year-old man has been arrested in the Chame district, located 80 kilometres west of Panama City, after he fatally shot two environmentalists who were blocking a road during a protest. The elderly driver was attempting to pass through the demonstration when the incident occurred. This shooting is a result of the ongoing anti-government protests that have been gripping Panama for nearly three weeks. These protests have been sparked by a lucrative mining contract that has caused widespread discontent among the population.
The authorities have apprehended the alleged shooter, but no additional information about the perpetrator has been released. This tragic event marks the first fatalities in the protests that began on October 20. Disturbing images and videos of the shooting have been circulating on social media, capturing the moment when the man opened fire on the people blocking the Pan-American Highway, a crucial route connecting Panama to the rest of Central America.
The suspect has been identified as 77-year-old Kenneth Darlington, a lawyer and professor who holds dual citizenship in the United States and Panama. Witnesses reported that Darlington uttered the words “this ends here” before engaging in a heated argument with a group of men, including the two victims. In front of a large crowd of photographers and reporters present to cover the protest, the 77-year-old allegedly shot two men, resulting in their deaths.
The victims have been identified as Abdiel Diaz, a teacher who died at the scene, and Ivan Rodriguez, who passed away shortly after reaching the hospital. Following his arrest, Darlington appeared before a judge in the town of La Espiga on Wednesday (Nov 9) afternoon. He has been charged with murder and illegal possession of a gun, according to a lawyer representing the victims.
These tragic events have unfolded amidst widespread protests in Panama. Thousands of Panamanians have taken to the streets over the past few weeks to express their discontent with a new mining contract signed with Canadian mining firm First Quantum Minerals. The protests, organized by a prominent construction union and teachers’ unions, stem from the government’s decision to expedite the contract. This agreement allows the Canada-based company to operate an open-pit copper mine in a biodiverse jungle west of the capital.
The contract grants First Quantum Minerals the rights to operate the largest pit copper mine in the region for a minimum of 20 years, with the possibility of extending it for another two decades, in exchange for $375 million in annual revenue for Panama. As a result of the protests, roadblocks have been set up by demonstrators, causing significant economic losses. According to Panama’s association of company executives, these roadblocks have led to daily losses of $80 million for businesses. Additionally, the protests have forced the closure of schools for over a week, and more than 150,000 medical appointments have been missed.
In conclusion, the fatal shooting of two environmentalists during a protest in Panama has brought attention to the ongoing anti-government demonstrations in the country. The incident, involving a 77-year-old man, has sparked outrage and added to the grievances of Panamanians who are already protesting against a controversial mining contract. These protests have caused significant disruptions to daily life, leading to economic losses and impacting education and healthcare services..