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Weekly Report - 02 June 2016 (WR-16-21)

PANAMA: Varela faces familiar unrest

President Juan Carlos Varela is facing fresh protests following the announcement by the public services agency (Asep) of plans to start filling the ‘Barro Blanco’ hydroelectric dam project, which lies within the Ngäbe Buglé comarca (indigenous political administrative region). Protests against the controversial project proved deadly in 2012 under the previous government and Varela’s February 2015 decision to suspend it (at which point it was 95% complete), for failing to meet the requirements of its environmental impact assessment (EIA), was well received by indigenous and environmental groups alike [WR-15-08]. With both sides in talks since August 2015, Asep’s 22 May announcement regarding the process of filling the dam – which it claims will take place between 24 May and 3 August and is necessary to determine how it will link to the national electricity system – has triggered fresh suspicion regarding the government’s intentions.

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