What Happened
The Office of the Attorney General for Administration has recommended that the Third Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice declare the environmental approval for Puerto Barú “not illegal.” The recommendation supports the Ministry of Environment’s decision to approve the project’s Category III Environmental Impact Study in David, Chiriquí.
The dispute centers on Resolution DEIA-IA-0003-2024, issued on January 16, 2024, which gave the port project environmental approval. Environmental organizations filed a lawsuit in September 2024 seeking to annul that decision.
In the legal review, the attorney general’s office concluded that the evidence presented by the plaintiffs did not show irregularities in the ministry’s handling of the case. It also said the materials submitted during the evidentiary phase did not undermine the administrative actions that led to the approval.
Why the Case Matters
Puerto Barú has become one of the most closely watched development projects in western Panama. Its supporters say it could strengthen trade, logistics, and port activity in Chiriquí and support broader economic growth in the region.
Environmental groups and civil organizations, however, have warned that the project could affect marine ecosystems and ecologically sensitive areas. Those concerns have helped turn the case into both a legal dispute and a wider public debate about development and conservation in Panama.
The attorney general’s recommendation is not binding, but it adds weight to the defense of the environmental approval. The final decision now rests with the Supreme Court’s Third Chamber, which can uphold or annul the resolution.
Legal and Environmental Context
The attorney general’s office also pointed to Article 784 of the Judicial Code, which places the burden on the party bringing the lawsuit to prove the facts supporting its claim. That legal standard is central to the challenge now before the court.
At the same time, the project is being examined in a separate technical process tied to concerns raised by UNESCO about its possible impact on Coiba National Park and its Special Marine Protection Zone. Those areas have been a World Heritage site since 2005.
The World Heritage Committee has asked Panama to review the scope of the project and ensure that any decision takes into account the site’s Outstanding Universal Value. Panama has also sought technical support from the World Heritage Centre to strengthen the methods used to assess impacts on internationally protected sites.
What Happens Next
The legal challenge and the environmental review are moving forward on parallel tracks. While the Supreme Court considers the nulity lawsuit, the Ministry of Environment is carrying out technical and scientific evaluations related to UNESCO’s concerns.
For Puerto Barú, the result of both processes could shape not only the future of the project, but also how Panama balances infrastructure growth with environmental protection in sensitive coastal and marine zones.