Panama communities challenge canal expansion project in Supreme Court

1/8/2025 6:24

Communities in Panama that would have to relocate under the Panama Canal's plan to build a $1.6 billion reservoir filed a Supreme Court challenge on Thursday, saying the project intended to enable more vessel transits is unconstitutional.



Some 2,500 people would be affected by construction of the Rio Indio reservoir, according to figures from the canal's authority, which has said it needs to secure more water after a drought forced it to restrict ship transit from spring 2023 to early 2024.



The reservoir would increase the canal's transit capacity by up to 15 vessels per day during the dry season and provide drinking water to Panama's 4.5 million people.



Coordinadora Campesina por la Vida, the farmers group that filed the lawsuit, said most residents do not want to be relocated. The challenge contends the project violates the constitution on six grounds, including disregard for human rights and environmental treaties signed by the country.