The Panama Canal administration reported violent incidents on April 5th, 2024, near the Rio Indio river basin, obstructing communication efforts regarding a planned project. Protesters blocked roads, threw stones, and damaged vehicles belonging to the Canal and its contractors in multiple locations: Los Cedros, Chagres; El Nancito, Colon; and the road to Coquillo de Uracillo (Coclé).
The project involves building a multi-purpose reservoir in the Rio Indio basin. This 580 square kilometer basin houses over 200 communities with a population exceeding 12,435, though the reservoir is expected to affect approximately 2,000 individuals.
The Canal's statement highlights that the violent acts violate communities' rights to informed participation and dialogue. The incidents underscore the challenges of community engagement in large-scale infrastructure projects.