On Tuesday, November 7, two environmental protesters were fatally shot by an American motorist on the Pan-American Highway in Chame, Panama. 

The protesters, part of a group demonstrating against environmental policies, were engaged in a blockade when the incident occurred

The shooter, identified as 77-year-old Kenneth Franklin Darlington Salas, was caught in the traffic caused by the protest. Videos and eyewitness accounts show Darlington initially attempted to negotiate with the protesters to clear the highway. However, tensions escalated rapidly, leading to the shooting.

The protesters were part of a group opposing a 20-year extension of a mining contract granted to Canada-based First Quantum Minerals. This company operates Panama’s largest open-pit copper mine. The extension has been a subject of environmental controversy, sparking protests such as the one occurring on the day of the shooting.

Footage of the incident shows a heated exchange between Darlington and the protesters before he pulled out a handgun. As one protester approached him, Darlington opened fire, shooting the protester at close range. A second protester who confronted him was also shot. Both victims were part of the blockade on the Pan-American Highway.

Authorities responded to the incident, and Darlington was taken into custody. In response to the encounter, there is a greater police presence in the area, with ongoing investigations into the shooting. 

Darlington, a retired lawyer with dual American-Panamanian citizenship, had been arrested before over possession of assault weapons.

The incident has raised concerns about the escalating tensions between environmental activists and opposing groups in Panama. These protests have been a response to environmental policies that many see as detrimental to the country’s natural resources. 

While addressing the shooting, the Panamanian government has not released an official statement on the broader issue of environmental protests and the resulting confrontational situations. The debate over balancing economic growth with the preservation of the environment continues to be a divisive issue in the country.

This incident is not an isolated event but part of a larger pattern of environmental protests turning violent. In recent years, there has been a global uptick in conflicts over environmental issues, with activists often facing violent responses.