During the Climate Weeks in Panama, the local government is being criticized for its environmental contradictions. More than 50 organizations from Latin America and the Caribbean have denounced that the Government of José Raúl Mulino is evaluating the exploration of hydrocarbons in the Caribbean Sea, days before the start of the event.
The Secretary of Energy, Juan Manuel Urriola, presented the possible extraction of oil and gas offshore, north of Colón, during a conference in Texas, USA, without a formal announcement on government platforms.
“We have not found official information, only a worrying absence”, stated Lilian González Guevara, Director of the Center for Environmental Advocacy of Panama (CIAM) in a statement.
Criticisms for inconsistency in conservation policies
Environmentalists have warned about the governmental contradiction, since Panama has also expanded marine protected areas, such as the San San Pond Sak National Park.
From the Union of Bocatoreño Artisanal Fishermen, its president Marta Machazek denounced the lack of citizen consultation, pointing out that the project would affect the rights of coastal communities.
Official response and background
The National Energy Secretariat clarified that the analysis is technical and based on previous seismic studies (2017-2018), without new explorations.
Regarding the possible advice from Ecopetrol, it denied the existence of formal agreements, ensuring that future advancements will be carried out with transparency and citizen participation.
The Caribbean facing the temptation of hydrocarbon exploration
Experts warn that Panama’s intention joins other countries such as Guyana, Suriname, and the Dominican Republic, which have explored offshore hydrocarbons.
“Not everything is measured in terms of GDP. In Guyana, there are already complaints of gentrification and labor impacts”, Carolina Sánchez from the Caribbean Free of Fossils Network alerted.
