Protests spread to Panama with roadblocks and attempts at looting

The crisis in Panama has worsened with checkpoints that prevented the arrival of food in the capital, attempts at looting and with a principle of agreement between the government and demonstrators to stop the protests in exchange for measures against price increases.

“We are now ready to wait for the national government to respond to the Panamanian people,” said Fernando Ábrego, leader of the Panama Teachers’ Association.

His statements came after a marathon in Penonomé, 150 kilometers southwest of Panama City, where organizations supporting the protests precise details for the negotiation with the governmentunder the mediation of the Catholic Church.

The religious institution announced that the Executive has “confirmed” its participation in Thursday’s talks.

Organizations They demand the reduction and freezing of the prices of the basic basketfuels, energy, medicines, the investment of 6% of GDP in public education and the future of the state health system.

The corruption

They also require taking anti-corruption measuresamid the strong criticism of citizens for the salaries of senior officials and the waste of public resources.

After more than two weeks of protests, the closure of highways, mainly on the Pan-American Highway, which connects Panama with Costa Rica, is the main route for trade and freight transport, caused shortages.

To alleviate the situation, more than 200 trucks with fresh food tried to reach the capital from the western province of Chiriquí, the country’s granary. However, they were unable to advance due to various blockages on the Pan-American highway.

“The effort of solidarity” “Bringing food through a humanitarian corridor to the capital’s population has failed,” complained Jaime Caballero, leader of Suntracs, a union that supports the protests.

Caballero had announced that after speaking with the protesters who keep the roads closed, it was agreed that the trucks could pass.

The trade associations calculate the losses due to the closure of the roads it was about $ 500 million in 10 days.

Some measures

Protesters protest and cut traffic to ask the government to Laurentino Cortizo measures against price increases. This is the largest social crisis since the US invasion in 1989.

To calm things down, the ruler initially lowered the price of a gallon of gasoline (3.78 liters) from $ 5.20 to $ 3.95, but the measure was rejected. A discount was then offered at $ 3.25, which is currently in effect.

Employers joined the labor unrest on Wednesday.

“It is urgent that the Executive, the Legislative and the Magistral unceremoniously attack any act of corruptionput an end to privileges and the lack of transparency, “said the president of the Panama Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Marcela Galindo.

Police commissioner Roberto Rodríguez reported Wednesday that in the popular El Chorrillo neighborhood of Panama City, “several people” tried to “vandalize shops, burn tires and placing obstacles on public roads “to rob occupants of vehicles.

According to the police, there was also attempts at looting in La Peatonal, a street of shops and commercial activities in the Panamanian capital, whose surveillance has been strengthened.

Despite its dollarized economy, high levels of economic growth and income of over $ 2,000 million a year thanks to the Canal, Panama has one of the highest inequality rates in the world.

To the east of the Panamanian capital, indigenous groups have cut several sections of the Pan-American highway.

“We see the basic basket, the price that has skyrocketed, including medicines, fuel,” Indigenous Linares García told AFP at a checkpoint in the city of Pacora.

The rulers “more and more continue to get richThey continue to profit at the expense of the people, and the people are the ones who will suffer, “Wilfredo Samudio said during a checkpoint in an indigenous community in Bayano, also east of Panama City.

On Tuesday, more than 20 people were arrested and seven police officers were injured after clashes in Santiago de Veraguas, 250 kilometers southwest of Panama City. There were tear gas, barricades and burning tires.

«The dialogue must be conducted with respect, with signs of good will on the part of all. Starting to open the tracks, guaranteeing the free movement of citizens and attention to basic needs “, added Galindo.

AFP agency

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