This is CBSI on the world. I'm John Batchel. The New World Report with Professor Evan Ellis of the U.S. Army War College, Central America. Much in the news. Panama. Panama Canal, Panama governance. Panama, the question of the U.S. seeking to reacquire it or dominate the foreign policy or challenge the

present government about its relationship with the People's Republic of China. However, there

is another issue that was there before the president took office and remains, which is the

copper mine. And the copper mine.

And the copper mine is very, I recall it being 5% of their income, which is significant

if you live at the margins.

And we have news from the copper mine.

President Molino will only take a decision regarding the future of the Cobra of Panama

mine after he resolves the issue of the country's Social Security policy.

Abel Alivaris was among a group of suppliers who met with Molino this week to seek a resolution after public protests led to the closure of the mine.

Professor, this is not a good look for Panama to be confused and not well led at the time

that the U.S. is at least talking about reacquiring it.

What is the problem with the copper mine?

Well, John, this is a political and economic mess that I think Molino really wants to

move in a good direction, but because

of the political prickliness of it, he is rightfully cautious in doing so. So just a little bit

of history. The issue was under Panama's rather complex mining laws and relative lack of

transparency. This mine was originally acquired under questionable conditions

by a prior, under prior president. So there are some questions about, you know, the, the

legality of the concession. That concession was then sold when it was just not known how much

copper there was in Panama to this Canadian company,

First Quantum.

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