A 77-year-old man was arrested after he fatally shot two environmentalists blocking a road during a protest as the elderly driver attempted to get past the demonstration. Anti-government protests have gripped Panama for almost three weeks now due to a lucrative mining contract.&nbsp;

<h2>About the fatal shooting</h2>

The officials arrested the alleged shooter in the Chame district which is some 80 kilometres west of Panama City, police said on X, without giving any more information about the perpetrator. The incident marked the first fatalities in protests that broke out on October 20.&nbsp;

Images and videos of the shooting circulating on social media show a man opening fire on people blocking the Pan-American Highway, which links Panama to the rest of Central America.&nbsp;

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The suspect, later identified as 77-year-old Kenneth Darlington, is a lawyer and professor who holds dual citizenship in the United States and Panama, reported Newsroom Panama and AFP.&nbsp;

The man was reportedly heard saying “this ends here” before he walked up to the roadblock and got into a heated argument with a group of men which included the two victims. Subsequently, the 77-year-old before a large crowd of photographers and reporters there to cover the protest, allegedly shot two men.&nbsp;

The victims were identified as Abdiel Diaz, a teacher, who died at the scene, according to the police, and the other Ivan Rodriguez who died shortly after reaching the hospital.&nbsp;

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Darlington was remanded in custody after appearing before a judge in the town of La Espiga on Wednesday (Nov 9) afternoon. A lawyer for the victims told the local media that the 77-year-old was charged with murder and illegal possession of a gun.&nbsp;

<h2>Thousands of Panamanians and weeks-long protests</h2>

The incident took place as thousands of Panamanians over the past few weeks have taken to the streets in protest of a new mining contract signed with Canadian mining firm First Quantum Minerals which has spilt into wider discontent with the government.

The protests are said to be organised by a prominent construction union alongside teachers’ unions following the government’s decision to fast-track the contract in question which would allow the Canada-based company to operate an open-pit copper mine amidst a biodiverse jungle west of the capital.&nbsp;

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The contract would allow First Quantum Minerals to operate the region’s largest pit copper mine for at least 20 years, with an option to extend for another two decades, in return for $375 million in annual revenue to Panama.

The roadblocks set up by protesters, according to Panama’s Association of Company Executives, have cost $80 million in daily losses to businesses. Additionally, schools across Panama have been closed for over a week and more than 150,000 medical appointments have been missed, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A 77-year-old man was arrested after he fatally shot two environmentalists blocking a road during a protest as the elderly driver attempted to get past the demonstration.

A 77-year-old man was arrested after he fatally shot two environmentalists blocking a road during a protest as the elderly driver attempted to get past the demonstration. Anti-government protests have gripped Panama for almost three weeks now due to a lucrative mining contract. About the fatal shooting The officials arrested the alleged shooter in the Chame district which is some 80 kilometres west of Panama City, police said on X, without giving any more information about the perpetrator. The incident marked the first fatalities in protests that broke out on October 20. Images and videos of the shooting circulating on social media show a man opening fire on people blocking the Pan-American Highway, which links Panama to the rest of Central America. ALSO READ | British Prime Rishi Sunak facing calls to sack Suella Braverman over incendiary article on Gaza march The suspect, later identified as 77-year-old Kenneth Darlington, is a lawyer and professor who holds dual citizenship in the United States and Panama, reported Newsroom Panama and AFP. The man was reportedly heard saying “this ends here” before he walked up to the roadblock and got into a heated argument with a group of men which included the two victims. Subsequently, the 77-year-old before a large crowd of photographers and reporters there to cover the protest, allegedly shot two men. The victims were identified as Abdiel Diaz, a teacher, who died at the scene, according to the police, and the other Ivan Rodriguez who died shortly after reaching the hospital. ALSO READ | Israel-Hamas war: Palestinian militant group says ready to release two hostages from Gaza Darlington was remanded in custody after appearing before a judge in the town of La Espiga on Wednesday (Nov 9) afternoon. A lawyer for the victims told the local media that the 77-year-old was charged with murder and illegal possession of a gun. Thousands of Panamanians and weeks-long protests The incident took place as thousands of Panamanians over the past few weeks have taken to the streets in protest of a new mining contract signed with Canadian mining firm First Quantum Minerals which has spilt into wider discontent with the government. The protests are said to be organised by a prominent construction union alongside teachers’ unions following the government’s decision to fast-track the contract in question which would allow the Canada-based company to operate an open-pit copper mine amidst a biodiverse jungle west of the capital. ALSO READ | Drought-hit Panama Canal reels under traffic jams with over 200-ship backlog The contract would allow First Quantum Minerals to operate the region’s largest pit copper mine for at least 20 years, with an option to extend for another two decades, in return for $375 million in annual revenue to Panama. The roadblocks set up by protesters, according to Panama’s Association of Company Executives, have cost $80 million in daily losses to businesses. Additionally, schools across Panama have been closed for over a week and more than 150,000 medical appointments have been missed, reported Reuters. (With inputs from agencies)

77-year-old man arrested for fatally shooting two protesters blocking road in Panama

The United Kingdom arm of the environmental group Extinction Rebellion on Sunday said it would change its protest tactics and would no longer stage its infamous blockades of transport networks.

In a statement titled "We quit," the group said that in four years it has been taking direct action but very little has changed.&nbsp;

Previously the group has used blockade of key roads and bridges, oil refineries, spraying fake blood over ministry buildings and smashing windows of the Barclays bank headquarters as their protest tactic.&nbsp;

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As per Reuters, the tactic shift is an apparent attempt to bring more people on board its campaign for climate action.

"As we ring in the new year, we make a controversial resolution to temporarily shift away from public disruption as a primary tactic," said the group.

"This year, we prioritise attendance over arrest and relationships over roadblocks, as we stand together and become impossible to ignore."

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It said that currently what's needed is "to disrupt the abuse of power and imbalance" and "to bring about a transition to a fair society" which works together to end the fossil fuel era.

The group said that politicians who are "addicted to greed and bloated on profits", won't make the change without pressure.

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It has called on 100,000 people to join a demonstration it will hold on April 21 outside the UK parliament.&nbsp;

The government in what the group calls a "draconian attempt" is taking steps to criminalise "disruptive protests". Under the new rules police will be given greater powers to manage and prevent them.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The United Kingdom arm of the environmental group Extinction Rebellion on Sunday said it would change its protest tactics and would no longer stage its infamous blockades of transport networks.

The United Kingdom arm of the environmental group Extinction Rebellion on Sunday said it would change its protest tactics and would no longer stage its infamous blockades of transport networks. In a statement titled "We quit," the group said that in four years it has been taking direct action but very little has changed. Previously the group has used blockade of key roads and bridges, oil refineries, spraying fake blood over ministry buildings and smashing windows of the Barclays bank headquarters as their protest tactic. Watch | WION Climate Tracker: Is Climate Litigation the way forward? As per Reuters, the tactic shift is an apparent attempt to bring more people on board its campaign for climate action. "As we ring in the new year, we make a controversial resolution to temporarily shift away from public disruption as a primary tactic," said the group. "This year, we prioritise attendance over arrest and relationships over roadblocks, as we stand together and become impossible to ignore." Also read | Extreme weather events becoming the 'new normal', UK conservation group warns It said that currently what's needed is "to disrupt the abuse of power and imbalance" and "to bring about a transition to a fair society" which works together to end the fossil fuel era. The group said that politicians who are "addicted to greed and bloated on profits", won't make the change without pressure. Also read | Watch | Climate activists glue themselves to tarmac at Berlin airport, urge people to avoid flying It has called on 100,000 people to join a demonstration it will hold on April 21 outside the UK parliament. The government in what the group calls a "draconian attempt" is taking steps to criminalise "disruptive protests". Under the new rules police will be given greater powers to manage and prevent them. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

No more 'public disruptions' or fake blood: Environment activists Extinction Rebellion to change tactics

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77-year-old man arrested for fatally shooting two protesters blocking road in Panama

No more 'public disruptions' or fake blood: Environment activists Extinction Rebellion to change tactics