Panama suspends constitutional protection in the northwest after destructive protests
Panama City (AP) – Panama suspended five days of constitutional protection in the Bocas del Toro Province on Friday, after protests and roadblocks became more destructive the night before.
Presidential Minister Juan Carlos Orillac said in a press conference that the move would allow the government to rebuild order from “radical organizations” and “save the province.”
It was initially a nationwide protest against changes to the social security system Thursday night in order to damage local airports and facilities at banana giant Chiquita brand, which opened fire on thousands of eye-catching workers in the province last month.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said at the time that the strikes of banana workers were illegal, including about 5,000 workers.
On May 27, the government declared a state of emergency in the province without the need to suspend constitutional protection.
But the masked person’s actions were described overnight as criminals, leading to Murino’s announcement Thursday night that he would meet with the cabinet on Friday to take action. Perpetrators forced them into the airport of Changuinola, the main city of Bocas del Toro, where they destroyed cars and opened fire on the local baseball field. They fired Chiquita's closure facilities and destroyed the local offices of the National Civil Defense Agency.
Protests, parades and occasional obstacles have stretched from one end of the country to the other as teachers, construction workers and other unions rejected changes in the government's statements that the social security system must be resolved.
Demonstrations occasionally became violent, but people were forced to enter airports and banana facilities overnight sparked a government response on Friday.
Earlier this month, Mulino introduced the Catholic Archbishop and Rabbi as mediators for the protesters.
Last week, the Panama Congress approved a new law against the banana sector, part of a deal that ended the strike by protecting medical assistance and labor protections under the new social security regime, such as medical assistance and labor protection.
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