Recently, the rainforests of Panama faced a historically significant threat. Nevertheless, at present, the opportunity to appreciate them has never been greater, making a visit to Panama more worthwhile than ever, as never before have the Panamanian people been so aware of the importance of their conservation. A few weeks ago, Panama experienced a significant period of disruption. Travel became challenging, and a sense of uncertainty reminiscent of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic was palpable. This upheaval, however, was rooted in a noble cause: the protection of Panama's magnificent rainforests. The sequence of events unfolded as follows: On Friday, October 20th, the President of Panama sanctioned a law permitting a new contract between a foreign mining company and the Panamanian government, for the management of an existing copper mine. Situated 120 km from Panama City near the Caribbean coast, the 13,000-hectare mine, the largest in Central America, lies within the densely forested Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. Although the agreement, valid for 20 years and extendable for another 20, promised local employment, personnel training, profit-sharing with the government, and eco-friendly management, it faced opposition from the Panamanian public due to ongoing disagreements dating back to 1997. Therefore, on that very Friday, peaceful protests erupted across Panama, and what began as small gatherings quickly swelled in number. Each day saw a doubling of protestors, culminating a week later with 20,000 people on the main roads of Panama City, not to mention those protesting in other provinces. These numbers were unprecedented in Panama's history. People of all ages, including families, students, environmental groups, labor unions, and youth organizations, took to the streets. Armed with Panamanian flags, handmade banners, costumes, and music, they expressed their discontent with the mining contract, local corruption, and the escalating cost of living. The Panamanian
Recently, the rainforests of Panama faced a historically significant threat. Nevertheless, at present, the opportunity to appreciate them has never been greater, making a visit to Panama more worthwhile than
