Panama police in standoff with protesters over Canadian-run mine

Police in Panama fired teargas Monday at protesters burning tires and blocking roads to protest a contract allowing a Canadian company to continue operating Central America's biggest copper mine. The protesters are concerned about potential environmental damage from operations at the mine owned by First Quantum, one of the biggest copper extractors in the world.

After protests erupted on Friday and continued over the weekend, demonstrators again took to the streets Monday in Panama City and in other provinces. The government canceled school for the day for fear of riots, as traffic in Panama City was disrupted and some metro stations had to close.