Panama Minister of Industry, Commerce Resigns Over Mine Dispute

Panama’s Minister of Industry and Commerce Federico Alfaro Boyd resigned from his post on Thursday citing the dispute over a mining contract with First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

• Boyd’s resignation was accepted by President Laurentino Cortizo, according to the ministry
• Jorge Rivera Staff, who has served since 2019 as the country’s energy secretary, will take over as industry and commerce minister
• “I must recognize the patriotic fervor manifested in the streets” against the mining contract, Boyd wrote in his resignation letter
• The court ruling that deems the contract unconstitutional “will bring serious consequences for the country”, such as the ...