Protest against proposed plans for Puerto Baru

Guido Berguido, a biologist and director of Adopta Bosque, one of more than 50 organisations opposing Puerto Baru in David, said:

"The people of Panama should know that our precious mangroves and some critically endangered species could be affected forever. The fact that the Minister of Environment, Mr Juan Carlos Navarro, has had to ask basic questions about the Puerto Baru project is a clear sign that more scrutiny of the plans is urgently needed".

"It was disappointing to see the administrator of the MPA, Luis Alberto Roquebert V., attend the launch event of Puerto Baru just days after the signing of an Inter-institutional Cooperation Agreement for the protection of the oceans and marine environment with MiAmbiente.

"Panama is known worldwide for its deep concern for the environment. However, this project has not been subjected to a thorough assessment, which generates uncertainty, even among senior members of the government.

"The project developers are acting as if they are in the home stretch. But there is an ongoing lawsuit in the Supreme Court and pending permits, which are required for the port to be functional.

"We want to see development, as we all do, in Chiriqui and in the country, but this must be done while preserving our pristine ecosystems and the livelihoods of local communities. In our opinion, Puerto Baru David is not sustainable development, it is the opposite."