A 77-year-old American man, Kenneth Darlington, has been arrested in Panama for allegedly shooting and killing two people during protests against a controversial mining contract. The incident occurred during ongoing nationwide protests over the contract, which allows a Canadian mining company to continue operating a copper mine for the next 20 years. The protests have resulted in roadblocks causing significant economic losses and the closure of schools. The U.S. State Department has been contacted for comment. Khaleda Rahman reported
An elderly American man named Kenneth Darlington has been arrested in Panama after allegedly shooting and killing two people who were participating in protests against a controversial government mining contract. The incident occurred in the Chame district, west of Panama City. The National Police apprehended Darlington, as confirmed by a post on Twitter that has since been deleted. The post included a photo of Darlington wearing glasses and a gray shirt, handcuffed to a pipe.
Darlington is a lawyer and professor who holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Panama. Local news reports stated that the protesters were shot by a driver who was attempting to pass through the protest. The victims were identified as Iván Rodríguez, 62, and Abdiel Díaz. Díaz died at the scene, while Rodríguez was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The police stated that the victims were shot with a pistol-type firearm during an argument with the protesters who had blocked the road.
Graphic footage circulating on social media showed the alleged assailant carrying a gun and removing a tire from the road blockade before opening fire. The video also showed police taking the suspect into custody. Panama President Laurentino Cortizo expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and condemned the incident, stating that it has no place in a supportive society.
The incident took place in the midst of nationwide protests that have been ongoing for three weeks. The protests are against a mining contract that was given final approval on October 20. The contract allows the local subsidiary of Canadian mining company First Quantum Minerals to continue operating an open-pit copper mine in a biodiverse jungle west of the capital for the next 20 years, with an option to extend for another 20 years in exchange for $375 million in annual revenue to Panama.
These protests have resulted in road blockades that have caused significant losses to businesses, with daily losses estimated at up to $80 million. Additionally, schools have been closed nationwide for over a week. The government initially considered revoking the contract in response to the protests but later changed its stance.
This incident is not the first act of violence that has occurred during the protests. On November 1, a protester was run over and killed by a foreigner attempting to cross a roadblock in the western part of the country.
The U.S. State Department has been contacted for comment on the arrest of Kenneth Darlington. The situation remains ongoing, and further updates are awaited..