Moderators Moderator_03 Posted June 28, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted June 28, 2023 Quote Residents tired of broken promises close Boquete highway Posted 26/06/2023 Tired of the broken promises made by the Ministry of Public Works, residents of Caldera took to the streets at 5 am on Monday, July 26, and closed the main highway that leads from Boquete to David. Visibly upset reports TVN the residents affirmed that more than a year has gone by without the government authorities giving them an answer regarding the improvements to the asphalt layer of the 28-kilometer highway that goes from the entrance of Caldera to their communities, which is in very bad condition. The protesters say they feel deceived as during all this time they have held several meetings with the Ministry of Public Works requesting that the construction work begin, however, the promises have remained on the table and until now nothing has been done. The problem is that, over time, this road has deteriorated to the point where it has become a danger not only for drivers but also for its residents who must travel daily both to their jobs or to receive medical attention, or to make purchases. In addition, it is the main route used by producers in this sector of Caldera to get their crops to markets. They said that, for more than 35 years, the road has been in the same condition and although improvements have been made these have only consisted of patching, a short-term palliative, and with the passage of vehicles, the road deteriorates again, so they no longer want more patches, but a long-term solution. They argued that the closure of the road will be maintained until the authorities appear and give them a concrete response. TVN reports that the governor of the province in a telephone call informed the residents that in the next few hours, they will be given a formal document that stipulates the roadmap for the start of the project. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/residents-tired-of-broken-promises-close-boquete-highway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted June 29, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted June 29, 2023 Quote People’s Alliance calls mass demonstration on July 1 Broken promises from the dialogue table. Posted 28/06/2023 The Alianza Pueblo Unido por la Vida —the movement of union, social and popular organizations that emerged in the negotiations after the clashes of July 2022— warned Wednesday, June 28, that on Saturday, July 1, they will be at the gates of the National Assembly to protest breaches of the agreements of the Single Dialogue Table and their rejection of the mining contract. On July 1, the National Assembly, elects new authorities of the Chamber are elected and President, Laurentino Cortizo delivers a report on his mandate. In a statement, the Alliance reiterates that the Panamanian people are experiencing a difficult situation with the increase in the cost of living and the abuse and speculation of the business sector in the price of food, medicine, and fuel. “Despite the agreements reached at the Single Dialogue Table, the situation faced today by the most disadvantaged sectors continues to be the same or worse than a year ago. The price of food, essential products, and services have increased, great problems of the population continue without a solution due to the non-compliance of the agreements by the government and the sabotage of the business sector in the second stage of the dialogue," They maintain that the shortage of medicines in the Social Security Fund (CSS) demonstrates, once again, "the lack of will to definitively solve the problem and put an end to the negotiation and speculation of the business sector that profits from the health of the population, while the National Government, irresponsibly, ignores the serious problems of the CSS, after the failure of the rigged dialogue” convened by the director of the institution, Enrique Lau Cortés. The Alliance also rejects the mining contract between the State and the Minera Panamá company, since it "grants broad rights to the multinational mining company, exposes the population to serious environmental risks and deeply damages national sovereignty." The note ends by calling on social, union, and popular organizations to promote unitary actions and popular mobilization, to "undertake the actions that are necessary to defend the right to a dignified life." https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/peoples-alliance-calls-mass-demonstration-on-july-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted June 29, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted June 29, 2023 Quote High-level commission in Bocas to dialogue with protestors Posted 28/06/2023 A high-level commission headed by the Ministers of Government and Housing is already in the province of Bocas del Toro to start a dialogue to put an end to the riots and confrontations generated in Changuinola for two days by a group of protesters who refuse to vacate private land. It is anticipated that the first parameter will be to reopen the main road of Changuinola, which remains closed and has already generated economic losses of $2 million. According to preliminary reports, the authorities have already made arrangements to start talks with the leaders of these protesters, who have said they are willing to hold a respectful dialogue, with the intention of obtaining a clear response from the government to the housing problem they are facing. The protests began after a justice of the peace issued an immediate eviction order from a 60-hectare plot of land belonging to a family that denounced the invasion of their land. After the order was ignored order, crowd control units were dispatched to the scene, which led to heavy riots and clashes. The National Police reported that before carrying out the eviction of the squatters, a peaceful call was made to approximately 200 people who were on private land. However, according to investigations, people unrelated to the eviction have taken advantage of the protests to create chaos and instability. The situation has become so hostile that some residents of El Empalme have had to leave their homes due to the risk posed by riots and tear gas reports TVN. The closures have paralyzed the entire district, as well as the work of the main banana company in Bocas del Toro, which has been forced to suspend operations in its 24 packing houses and the export of the product because the banana containers cannot cross to the bridge. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education announced the suspension of classes in four educational centers in Changuinola in order to safeguard the life and integrity of both the students and teaching and administrative staff. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/high-level-commission-in-bocas-to-dialogue-with-protestors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted June 29, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted June 29, 2023 Quote 16 arrests, 9 injured in road closure clashes Posted 28/06/2023 At least 16 people were arrested and another nine were injured in clashes with riot police on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, in Changuinola, Bocas del Toro province. Some 150 people −who were evicted from private land− carried out intermittent closures on the La Torre bridge, in Changuinola. The closures continued Wednesday. The eviction procedure was carried out on Tuesday morning, in compliance with an order issued by the justice of the peace of the community of El Empalme. According to official reports, among the injured are seven agents of the National Police. They were injured by blunt objects, stones, and bottles, while other colleagues were affected by "heat stroke", reported the entity. In the midst of the riots, the Police also detailed that they seized several homemade incendiary bombs, and bladed weapons, among other evidence. The Police and the Ombudsman's Office, which has intervened in the situation, have stated that there have been no deaths due to the protests. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/16-arrests-9-injured-in-road-closure-clashes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted July 15, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted July 15, 2023 Quote Pan-American highway re-opens at dawn after over 12 hours of protests Posted 14/07/2023 After more than 12 hours of closure of the Pan-American highway in the San Juan sector of Chiriquí, the group of parents that kept this important road blocked agreed to open it at 2:45 a.m. on Friday, July 14. Trucks with agricultural products managed to advance after hours of waiting. Parents from the Besikó sector had decided to demonstrate at about 12:00 noon on Thursday because the authorities of the Ministry of Education did not give them an answer as to why they have not finished building two schools. Saberio Jurado, a spokesman for the group, said that they sent notes to the authorities to find out the "true causes of the delay," but they did not give him any information. Ariel Rodríguez, Vice Minister of Education, who arrived at the scene, said that the intention of the ministry is not to "affect anyone", on the contrary, they have tried to prevent such situations from occurring in the regions. "It is unfortunate when companies make a commitment and later, these same companies, either due to lack of liquidity, create a situation where logically the parents will be upset," he added. Company representatives also came to the site of the demonstration and agreed to restart the work. The protesters demand that the construction of two schools be completed, which have been paralyzed for around 39 months. The Indigenous protestors met with the authorities of the Ministry of Education to establish a road map to expedite the construction of schools. The people trapped in the roadblock complained about the closure because they feel that this harmed citizens who also have needs. Agricultural cargo carriers also pointed out that this causes the loss of products. Javier Pittí, mayor of Tierras Altas in Chiriquí, affirmed that these closures harm producers in the province, who are already bearing the losses of the extension of the dry season. Pittí called for quick responses to these closures, in addition to requesting that the right to protest not affect circulation on international road https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/pan-american-highway-re-opens-at-dawn-after-over-12-hours-of-protests Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted August 9, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted August 9, 2023 Quote Ministers head to Chiriqui after threats of highway closures Posted 07/08/2023 A government delegation made up of the Ministers of Public Works and Government traveled to the Ngabe Buglé region on Monday to talk with indigenous leaders after the announcement of indefinite closures of the Inter-America Highway at five points, "Four years of Nito Cortizo, commission after commission and they have not resolved anything, we continue without drinking water, without food in the schools for the children, there are schools in the region that do not have a floor, there is no health" one of the leaders expressed to the government ministers. Units of the National Police are at the point of the demonstration, while the authorities meet with indigenous leaders in Hato Corotú. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/ministers-head-to-chiriqui-after-threats-of-highway-closures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted August 9, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted August 9, 2023 Quote Inter-American highway reopened after 14 hours signing agreements Posted 08/08/2023 The Inter-American highway in Chiriquí was reopened to traffic in the San Juan sector at 2:00 am Tuesday August 8 and half an hour later in the Horconcitos sector, at the entrance to Boca del Monte, after the indigenous groups of Nedrini and a high-level commission of the National Government reached agreements, in the early morning. TVN reports, that it took more than 14 hours to sign the agreements , which establish, among other things, the designation by Emergency Decree of $147 million that would be used in road infrastructure works in Nedrini, in the Ngäbe Buglé region. Rafael Sabonge, Minister of Public Works, and Roger Tejada, Minister of Government, headed the National Government commission that agreed with the protesting groups. The appointment of a special commission was agreed to follow up on the agreements and projects, which will be installed this Wednesday in the Hato Corutú sector of the Ngäbe-Buglé region. Minister Sabonge indicated that the resolutions of the agreement will be presented for approval in the Cabinet Council on Wednesday. Joel Franceschi, spokesman for the indigenous people, apologized for the closure of the highway, but they assure that the population was very unhappy. He hopes that the agreements reached with the government will be fulfilled. For more than 13 hours, hundreds of drivers were stranded on the highway, including, merchants, businessmen, and truckers. According to the directors of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Chiriquí, the economic losses resulting from the closures at 10 million dollars. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/inter-american-highway-reopened-after-14-hours-signing-agreements Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted August 10, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted August 10, 2023 Quote Fire Department to return to streets if no government move Posted 09/08/2023 Officials of the Panama Fire Department, after two months of sitting at a dialogue table with the government, still have not received answers regarding the payment of retroactive. Cruz Gómez, general secretary of the union of this entity explained, it has been on behalf of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), which has requested a series of requirements for the retroactive, whose payment commitment was established in April. He also added that the MEF demanded that the President Fire Department to return to the streets if no government move to make a decree so that the promotions could be carried out, the president complies with the document, however, after several meetings they decide that the decree must be modified and that They cannot make the retroactive payment because the Law does not allow them. There are 1.9 million dollars, the money owed to them as a result of the retroactive. According to Gómez, they will give the remaining two days of this week to receive an answer, otherwise, starting next week they will be on the streets https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/fire-department-to-return-to-streets-if-no-government-move Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted September 4, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted September 4, 2023 Quote Anti-mining vigil on Cinta Costera Posted 02/09/2023 Multiple citizen organizations held a vigil on the Cinta Costera of the capital city on Friday, September 1, 2023, a vigil on the coastal strip to express their rejection of the mining project located in Donoso, Colón province, whose contract is currently being debated in the Commission of Commerce and Economic Affairs of the National Assembly. Participants in the activity said that they oppose said contract due to the severe environmental impacts, in addition to the economic damages that its development has for the country. The organizations also rejected police repression in the protests carried out in the last week and in which they have spoken out against this mining contract. The Ombudsman has opened an investigation into excessive police force at the National Assembly demonstrations. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/anti-mining-vigil-on-cinta-costera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted September 6, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted September 6, 2023 Quote University students close Transístmica to reject mining bill Posted 04/09/2023 University students partially closed, the Transístmica highway, near the entrance to the University of Panama. Only two traffic lanes were enabled on the road. The demonstration, which began shortly before noon, was held to reject the bill on the mining contract that is being discussed in the National Assembly. "Mining leaves ghost towns, contaminated and in ruins" read one of the banners. Members of the Single Union of Construction Workers joined the protest, who earlier closed several parts of the country, also to show their opposition to bill No. 1043 which is being debated in the Assembly's Committee on Commerce and Economic Affairs National. The protest on the Transístmica highway ended at about 1:15 p.m. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/university-students-close-transistmica-to-reject-mining-bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted September 6, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted September 6, 2023 Quote Workers gather to protest mining contract Posted 04/09/2023 Construction workers were on the streets across the country on the morning of Monday, September 4, to express their rejection of the mining contract that is being discussed in the National Assembly. Closures in the capital city were reported on Via Centenario, Villa Zaíta, Panamá Pacífico, exit of the North corridor in Villa Lucre, and on the highway near the Nicolás Solano hospital, La Chorrera. There were also demonstrations on the coastal strip, Costa del Este and Calle 50. Saúl Méndez, leader of Suntracs, said that the contract for the mining project located in Donoso, Colón province, is leonine, through which national sovereignty is being ceded. "Territory is ceded, airspace and maritime territory is ceded," Méndez added. “Down with the law on the mining contract”, and “Down with the corrupt deputies”, the workers chanted at the different protest points. As reported by Suntracs on social networks, these are mobilizations at the national level to also demand a general increase in wages, against the high cost of living and in defense of the Social Security Fund. Inside the country, workers staged demonstrations in Azuero, Veraguas, and Chiriquí. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/workers-gather-to-protest-mining-contract Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted September 9, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted September 9, 2023 Quote Police use tear gas on students protesting mining talks Posted 08/09/2023 Agents of the Crowd Control Unit of the National Police and students clashed on Thursday, evening September 7, 2023. Panama University students went out again to express their rejection of the project of the mining contract that is being discussed in the National Assembly. They blocked the Transístmica highway and Manuel Espinosa Batista Avenue. "This fight is not one, this fight belongs to everyone," the protesters chanted. "Long live the martyrs of January 9, long "Unity" was also heard. The police responded with tear gas; the protesters, with their faces covered, threw stones. On Thursday the cycle of citizen consultations with the communities that could be most impacted by the proposed law contract between the State and the company Minera Panamá SA ended. The project is being debated in the Commission of Commerce and Economic Affairs of the National Assembly. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/police-use-tear-gas-on-students-protesting-mining-talks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted September 20, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted September 20, 2023 Quote Lawmakers visit mining site while opponents return to the streets Posted 19/09/2023 Unions protesting against the contract with Minera Panama were once again on the streets of the capital on Tuesday, September 19 while deputies of the Commerce and Economic Affairs Committee visited the mining exploitation sites in Donoso, as part of the consultations that are carried out within the framework of the first debate of the contract signed between the Government and Minera Panamá for the exploitation of copper. After having held several sessions, in the Assembly, where more than 200 people issued their judgments for or against, and in the communities impacted by the mining activity, the site visit was the next step in the approved agenda, and then listen to the defenses of the Minister of Commerce and Industries and Mi Ambiente. Deputy Juan Diego Vásquez spoke with TVN’s‘ Mesa de Periodistas, before leaving, pointing out that not all members of the commission would travel, but Minister Federico Alfaro and staff from the Ministry of the Environment would attend. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/lawmakers-visit-mining-site-while-opponents-return-to-the-streets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted September 30, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted September 30, 2023 Quote Workers continue anti-mining street closures Posted 29/09/2023 Construction workers returned to the streets again on Friday, September 29, in rejection of mining activity in the country and promised to continue their protests until mining development is suspended. The workers closed points such as the entrance to Panama Pacifico. There were also protests on Balboa Avenue, Arraiján-La Chorrera highway, Panama Viejo, South corridor (near Santa María), in Azuero and Santiago de Veraguas. “Panama is not and will not be a mining country” and “Without struggle, there is no victory” were some of the slogans displayed in the protests. On Thursday, with five votes in favor, the Commerce and Economic Affairs Commission of the National Assembly approved, , the suspension of the first debate of the bill on the mining contract and recommended that the Executive withdraw the document. Another four votes were against because they sought to reject the project in the first debate. The workers affiliated with Suntracs have said that the actions in the streets will continue until the development of mining in Panama is stopped. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/workers-continue-anti-mining-street-closures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted October 18, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted October 18, 2023 Quote Survivors of Panama mass poisoning that killed over 800 close roads Posted 17/10/2023 Survivors of mass poisoning by diethylene glycol closed the roads, in front of the Social Security Fund hospital complex on Transisthmian Highway on Tuesday, October 17. The protest is part of the activities of the surviving patients to remember the victims and those affected by the mass poisoning that occurred 17 years ago. Two new victims of massive poisoning with diethylene glycol have been recognized from a list of 322 files Gabriel Pascual, president of the Committee of Relatives for the Right to Health and Life, pointed out that with these protests they seek to honor the memory of those who died from the poisoning. Pascual indicated that currently there are 700 uncertified patients, 1,020 receiving pensions, more than 800 deaths, and a “countless number of people with sequelae.” The spokesperson for the surviving patients of massive diethylene glycol poisoning indicated that they will stay on track because it is an important day to remember the victims of a health system that they claim is still very deficient. “The health system is not improving.” The poisoning by diethylene glycol in Panama occurred in 2006, after the consumption of adulterated medicines through the pharmacies of the Social Security Fund. It was initially considered an atypical disease (called "kidney failure syndrome", ARDS) that was first observed in August 2006, but it was not until the end of September that medical authorities observed an unusual behavior of deaths caused by the sickness. The authorities of the Social Security Fund issued a memorandum on September 27 notifying doctors of any patient who had kidney syndrome with neurological manifestations. On October 2, medical authorities represented by the Minister of Health at the time, Camilo Alleyne, publicly announced the death of six people who were affected by the "syndrome." It was later discovered that the "syndrome" was a massive poisoning from altered medications that affected 1,300 people and killed over 800. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/survivors-of-panama-mass-poisoning-that-killed-over-800-close-roads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted October 19, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted October 19, 2023 Quote Countrywide protests against mining contract cause huge traffic jams Posted 18/10/2023 A new day of protests causing huge traffic jams in some locations took place on the morning of Wednesday, October 18, in rejection of the bill that contains the contract between the State and Minera Panamá. Workers affiliated with the Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs) closed the South corridor (Punta Pacifica and Costa del Este), via Ricardo J. Alfaro (at the entrance to the El Bosque residential complex), Capira (Panama West ), Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro, among other points in the country. There have also been protests along the Inter-American highway (Howard, Arraiján). The protesters demand a broad, televised debate on the mining issue, as well as a referendum. “Down with the mining contract,” “Down with the deputies selling the country,” and “Down with the government in power,” are some of the phrases chanted On Wednesday, at 11:00 a.m., the Commerce Commission of the National Assembly will resume the debate. Deputy Roberto Ábrego, president of the commission, explained that each deputy will give their opinion and go directly to the vote. “The consultation stage has passed, we exhausted all consultations, now comes the first debate. Here we are not doing anything secretly,” Ábrego said. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/countrywide-protests-against-mining-contract-cause-huge-traffic-jams-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted October 21, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted October 21, 2023 Quote Businessmen claim millions lost daily due to protests Posted 20/10/2023 It is estimated by business associations that millions of dollars are lost every day due to protests and closures on the Pan-American Highway. The National Council of Private Enterprise (Conep) issued a statement on Friday, October 20 to indicate its position due to the tense situation experienced at the national level due to the approval of the third debate of the mining contract. As the first point of the statement, it urged that there be a dialogue to address the crisis of the Disability, Old Age and Death (IVM) program of the Social Security Fund (CSS), and indicated that, from Conep, they are committed to participating in a purposeful way and approaches “based on data and not speculation.” https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/businessmen-claim-millions-lost-daily-due-to-protestsBusines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted October 22, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted October 22, 2023 Quote Police deny assault on photographer Aubrey Baxter - Photographer Posted 21/10/2023 During Friday’s demonstrations, in the vicinity of the National Assembly, against the approval of the mining contract, an incident occurred in which the photographer and activist of the "Ya es ya" (“Now is Now’) collective, Aubrey Baxter, was injured in one of his eyes. The video, which shows Baxter, with the cell phone in one hand and with the other, trying to remove from his head a sweater with which he covered part of his bloody face, spread across social networks. The witnesses and other communicators who were at the scene assured that it was a "pepper ball" thrown by a unit of the National Police that was at the scene. The photographer was taken by his colleagues to the Santo Tomás Hospital to receive urgent care. In this regard, the National Police sent a statement saying that they were the ones who suffered "attacks and physical assaults that ended in criminal acts by protesters who were in the vicinity of the National Assembly." And regarding the case of Baxter, they categorically denied that they were related to this fact: "On the contrary, the protesters used homemade weapons, blunt objects, and fireworks against the police units that remained in the place….” In the statement, the institution repudiated the violent events and urged the authorities to carry out the corresponding investigations in order to determine those responsible. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/police-deny-assault-on-photographer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted October 22, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted October 22, 2023 Quote Catholic environmentalists protest mining deal Posted 21/10/2023 Various groups have rejected the mining contract between the Panamanian State and Minera Panamá, which was approved by the National Assembly and sanctioned by President Cortizo on Friday, October 20. In a statement shared by the Archdiocese of Panama, the Mesoamerican Ecological Ecclesial Network rejected the way in which the government and the Assembly expeditiously handled the approval of the mining contract, for the extraction of copper in Donoso, province of Colón. “The different sectors of society have not been listened to as indicated by our regulations and international agreements such as the Escazú Agreement. The price that Panama is going to pay is too much, compared to the crumbs that we are going to receive,” the statement states. The Catholic environmental network warns that this way of acting can generate unpredictable effects for the country's institutions and its direct impact on the communities. Likewise, they express their rejection of the violence with which the Police intervened in the middle of the protest last Thursday on the premises of the Assembly, in which bishops participated. Teachers announce closures On the other hand, on Saturday the Chiriquí Educators Association announced that starting Monday they will protest in the streets against the mining contract and announced that they do not teach classes that day. The union spokesmen reported that on Monday, starting at 8:00 am, they will gather in the city of David and then march to the Risacua sector where they will proceed to close the four lanes of the Inter-American highway. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/catholic-environmentalists-protest-mining-deal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted October 23, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted October 23, 2023 Quote Unions ready to take the fight against mining contract to the streets Posted 22/10/2023 The National Council of the Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs) met Sunday to agree on the actions to follow the endorsement by the Assembly and the Cortizo sanctioning by Cortizo and the contract law between the State and Minera Panamá. “We want to tell the country that we are ready for the fight in the street. We are calling on the Panamanian people in each of the provinces of this country, in each of the regions, to take to the streets tomorrow [Monday],” said Saúl Méndez, leader of Suntracs. “We do not accept the sale of the homeland, we do not accept the contract to sell the mining homeland,” Méndez added. “In the street, we are going to defeat the contract,” he stressed. On Friday, with 47 votes in favor, 6 against, and 2 abstentions, the plenary session of the National Assembly approved - in the third and final debate - the mining contract between the Panamanian State and Minera Panamá. Soon after, President Cortizo sanctioned Law No. 406 which endorses the law contract which was published in the Official Gazette. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/unions-ready-to-take-the-fight-against-mining-contract-to-the-streetsUnions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted October 23, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted October 23, 2023 Quote University classes suspended for days of protest Posted 22/10/2023 The Academic Council of the University of Panama has suspended in-person classes on October 23 and 24 on the central campus, the Harmodio Arias Madrid campus, and in the faculties of Education, Public Administration and Business Administration announced the rector, Eduardo Flores Castro on Sunday. The measure is announced in response to the calls for mobilizations that various groups in society have made to show their opposition to the contract between the State and Minera Panamá (now converted into Law 406 of 2023 ). Rector Flores recommended the implementation of virtual classes on the days when the in-person classes are suspended. Regional centers and university extensions may take similar measures he noted. Meanwhile, administrative tasks will be carried out during these two days, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. On Friday, despite countless citizen protests throughout the country, President Laurentino Cortizo sanctioned Law No. 406 which approves the mining concession contract between the State and Minera Panamá. Teachers and construction workers are among groups that have announced marches and road closures. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/university-classes-suspended-for-days-of-protest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted October 25, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted October 25, 2023 Quote Protestors and anti-riot police clash Protestors in Pacora ( Panama East) Posted 23/10/2023 Protestors and anti-riot police clashed on Monday, October 23, on the main road of Pacora (Panama East) , in the midst of a call for days of protests against the contract between the State and Minera Panamá for 40 more years. The protests began in the early morning and became more acute as the hours went by reports La Prensa. Hundreds of people had to walk to reach their destinations and get away from the confrontation area, where the police fired tear gas and the protesters responded with stones. The road in front of the Chepo Regional University(Panama East)was been completely blocked by members of the Panama Teachers Association. “There are more of us and we are not afraid”, “Without fighting there is no victory” and “Fighting is fighting” are some of the choruses of the protesters, who reiterated their rejection of Law 406 of October 20, 2023. Information in development. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/protestors-and-anti-riot-police-clash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted October 25, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted October 25, 2023 Quote Teachers join protest against mining contract Posted 24/10/2023 Tuesday, March 24 heralded a continuation of protests against the precipitous endorsement by President Cortizo of the Minera Mining contract by the National Assembly after 40 minutes debate on Friday. The signing sparked a march on the president’s residence on Sunday and nationwide protests: Corredor Sur, the Domingo Díaz roads (Brisas del Golf), and the Ricardo J. Alfaro, in the capital, were some of the points that were closed, on this Tuesday, October 24, by workers affiliated with the Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs). The Centenario road, near Merca Panama, and the Bridge of the Americas, were also blocked this Tuesday morning, as part of the day of protests A group of teachers gathered in Vía España, in the Iglesia del Carmen, in rejection of the new law, and students from the School of Biology of the University of Panama joined. After 9:00 a.m., members of the Suntracs resumed forced actions in the streets. There are also closures on the Inter-American highway, in Arraiján, on the Mariano Rivera highway in La Chorrera, in front of the Nicolás Solano hospital, as well as in the province of Colón. “Selling the country is not an option,” said the general secretary of Suntracs, Saúl Méndez, who added that the actions in the streets will continue; Méndez reiterated that Law 406 of October 20, 2023, sanctioned last Friday by the President of, Laurentino Cortizo, is a “contract that sells the country and damages national sovereignty.” Information in development.. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/teachers-join-protest-against-mining-contract Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted October 26, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted October 26, 2023 Quote Street protests spread – march on presidency planned Thursday Protesters & Police confrontation in Punta Pacifica Posted 25/10/2023 Thousands of people took over the Cinta Costera, Calle 50 and Avenida Balboa on Wednesday, October 25 chanting slogans against mining activity. They defended the legitimacy of the protests , ensuring that those participating in the peaceful march were not those who carried out the vandalism, but were infiltrators seeking to destabilize the protest. Marcos Santiago , a participant in the demonstrations, said that those participating in this peaceful march do not use balaclavas or masks, they are teachers, doctors students and professionals . However, there are infiltrated people doing vandalism that has nothing to do with the protests. Teachers, workers and other organizations will march to the Presidency on Thursday They call for a national march to the Presidency in rejection of the mining contract. Meanwhile, Marlen Sánchez called on the population to join this fight, not necessarily in the Cinta Costera, but in their own communities. "We are normal people who work every day, we cannot come to all the demonstrations because we have responsibilities, but today we are here and we will continue to be, and they are not going to say that we are criminals because it is not true," he stressed . People will gather at the same point where these two nights they have demonstrated against Law 406 that upholds the mining contract. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/street-protests-spread-march-on-presidency-planned-thursday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted October 26, 2023 Author Moderators Share Posted October 26, 2023 Quote Four-year convictions for protest vandalism Posted 25/10/2023 After the robberies at commercial premises on October 23 and 24 on Central Avenue, where criminals took advantage of the protests rejecting the mining contract, the National Police (PN) recommended merchants close their stores early as a security measure. Given the tense situation in Plaza Cinco de Mayo, the point of arrival of the protestors throughout the week, and after the vandalism, some merchants took the initiative of not opening their doors, while others opened taking precautionary measures. The measure was also taken in La Gran Estación, in San Miguelito, where several stores remain closed due to the disturbances recorded on the morning of Tuesday, October 25. On Wednesday afternoon, the First Section of Crimes against Economic Assets of the Metropolitan Prosecutor's Office obtained four-year convictions for four people, for aggravated theft, on October 23 and 24, in a commercial premises located in Plaza 5 de Mayo in Santa Ana. Several investigations are underway into vandalism that occurred in other parts of the country. The Episcopal Conference made a 'call for peace and to listen to the cry of the people' https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/four-year-convictions-for-protest-vandalism Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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