In March 2023, the President of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo, announced an agreement to extend the copper exploration concession for the largest open-pit copper mine in Central America operated by Minera Panama, a subsidiary of Canada's First Quantum Minerals. In October 2023, the contract was ratified by Law 406.

This sparked large public protests, including by Ngäbe-Buglé Indigenous communities, who considered the agreement a violation of Indigenous rights and sovereignty. Protestors claimed that the contract was negotiated without transparency and consultation, as it was approved by the government in just three days. Environmentalists also raised concerns about potential negative impacts of the expansion on water resources. These public demonstrations in 2023 faced violent police repression.

In November 2023 the Supreme Court of Justice of Panama ruled unanimously that the 20-year concession was unconstitutional. Following this, First Quantum Minerals initiated international arbitration proceedings against Panama.

In May 2025, Ngäbe-Buglé Indigenous communities, students, unions, fishers, campesinos, and others engaged in public protest against the potential reopening of the Cobre Panamá mine, the approval of Law 462 which would reform the social security system without prior consultation, and a memorandum of understanding between Panama and the United States which would allow increased U.S. military presence in Panama. There were several attacks against human rights defenders by state forces.

In March 2026, BHRC invited First Quantum Minerals to respond to the allegations related to attacks on defenders; the response is available below. In April 2026, BHRC also invited First Quantum Minerals to respond to allegations related to environmental damage, the company did respond.