Brundageba Posted July 23, 2022 Share Posted July 23, 2022 47 minutes ago, Moderator_03 said: https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/government-expands-price-controls-ngabe-bugle-offer-goodwill-lunch The meal that was given to each of the officials : As the Ngobe delivered each meal of rice and canned tuna they explained "This is what we had to eat during COVID. This is our "SOLIDARITY GIFT " from the govt. They passed out each lunch and most officials left, AND left that lunch on the table. The Ngobe then took a photo of each lunch and named the dignitary who could not choke it down. All the dignitaries left.........and did not return for 3 hours !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The message was clear. This only fueled the conflict between the "haves and the haves-nots" . Each picky dignitary that left the food then LEFT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>played right into their hand. (mind you the priest stood up and told them all to be considerate and eat the lunch that was given ......that apparently did not fly ) The priest ate it.... At this rate we most likely won't be seeing resolution very fast. Daily it gets worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brundageba Posted July 23, 2022 Share Posted July 23, 2022 I just heard the some Ngobe are charge $10 to get through the blockade. Others have huge caldrons of food that they are selling to those stuck...profit ! The Ngobe seem to have their feet on the necks of the govt. officials. United Nations asks the govt to treat the protestors kindly and with respect. (?? hold off) So gasoline price lowered. Some 30 or so products listed for price control ( which never works) and the conflict sees so sign of slowing down. Eye opener fer sure !!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted July 24, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted July 24, 2022 Quote "Grand Alliance" wants seats at dialogue table Posted 23/07/2022 Multiple organizations that feel they have been frozen out of the ongoing talks in Coclé have formed the Great National Alliance for Panama and on Saturday expressed their "deep concern" in the sense that the single dialogue table that takes place in Coclé is taking place "between organizations that do not represent all of society." For the Alliance for the existing table the impression that "it is a monologue with ideological agendas that do not seek the solution of the real problems of the population" and rather "impose their ideas on all of us, without taking us into account." For this reason, the different organizations proposed expanding participation at the table "so that there is a true national dialogue." "The country's problems cannot be solved by two or three groups, without considering the contribution of all sectors with the right to contribute," they stated in a statement. Currently, representatives of the United People for Life Alliance, the National Alliance for the Rights of the Organized People, as well as leaders of the Ngäbe Buglé region and peasant communities, with members of the Executive, participate in the single dialogue table in the Cristo Sembrador Center of the Diocese of Penonomé. The facilitator is the Archbishop of Panama, José Domingo Ulloa. In total, there are eight central issues that are expected to be addressed at the talks table. The new Alliance includes multiple chambers of commerce and business organizations. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/grand-alliance-wants-seats-at-dialogue-table Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted July 25, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted July 25, 2022 Quote Once-a week reporting for driver facing attempted murder charge Posted 24/07/2022 The Judge of Guarantees of Chiriquí decreed the precautionary measure of periodic report once a week and prohibition of exit from Bocas del Toro to a 32-year-old charged with attempted murder, after a group of drivers ran over three protesters blocking the passage of vehicles during the road closure in Horconcitos, Chiriquí on Saturday. The Public Ministry and the defense announced an appeal. On Saturday the National Police retained five cargo vehicles allegedly involved in the incident. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/once-a-week-reporting-for-driver-facing-attempted-murder-charge-2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted July 25, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted July 25, 2022 Quote CRISIS: Call for cabinet renewal and comptroller exit Posted 24/07/2022 The crisis facing Panama is not a temporary problem, but a social explosion resulting from institutionalized abuses, with historical arrogance, and the usual injustices said Ricardo Lombama, president of the Movimiento Otro Camino (Another Path) collective on Sunday, July 24. “Panama needs a president who stops the looting that Panama and Panamanians have been suffering for decades,” Lombana said. He reiterated the call to the president to commit himself before the citizens to execute cuts and concrete measures to contain public spending that will generate some credibility and restore calm throughout the national territory. The movement also proposes the renewal of the cabinet, the resignation of the Comptroller General putting an end to the state of emergency decreed in March 2020 due to the covid-19 health crisis, and, auditing all the expenses incurred. In the same way, carry out a human resources audit of forms 080 and 172 of the National Assembly and reduce the cost of government operations by at least 15%. "We understand that not all problems can be solved immediately, but the gravity of the moment demands and imposes that immediate decisions be made that move us in the right direction." https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/crisis-call-for-cabinet-renewal-and-comptroller-exit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted July 25, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted July 25, 2022 Quote Second suspect in humanitarian convoy hold-up gets detention Alexis Jiminez Posted 24/07/2022 A guarantee judge in Chiriquí on Saturday, July 24, ordered six months of preventive detention for Alexis Jiménez, for the alleged commission of the crimes of extortion, and loss of freedom in the forcible retention of a caravan of trucks transporting food to Panama City in Viguí, district of Tolé, Chiriqui. Jiménez, who turned himself in at the headquarters of the Attorney General's Office last Thursday, is the second person to be detained while investigations are underway. Earlier a guarantee judge ordered the detention of Manuel Murillo, who also surrendered to the Attorney General’s 0ffice in Panama City and whom some truckers point to as the person who, along with Jiménez, stopped the caravan and threatened to set fire to some of the food trucks. The David Primary Care Prosecutor's Office took statements from several of the truck drivers, who alleged that the attackers were armed and that they threatened their physical integrity. The authorities are also investigating other people who allegedly participated in the paralysis of the caravan and threatened the drivers. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/second-suspect-in-humanitarian-convoy-hold-up-gets-detention Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted July 25, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted July 25, 2022 Quote Riot police called to Pacora bridge confrontation Posted 25/07/2022 Riot Police were called to the bridge over the Pacora River in Panama East at 11 am on Monday, to separate protestors and local residents protesting against the closures in a confrontation that injured at least three people. Eduardo Leblanc, the Ombudsman, said that these situations should be avoided. “We call for peace. We also ask the Executive to take action to avoid people-to-people confrontations.” The National Police reported that they had to intervene “to guarantee security.” https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/riot-police-called-to-pacora-bridge-confrontation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted July 25, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted July 25, 2022 Quote Closures continue despite progress in dialogue Posted 25/07/2022 The Inter-American highway was closed again on Monday at several points in the provinces of Chiriquí and Veraguas, putting the region's producers on alert due to the economic effects. It was reported that the sectors of Horconcitos San Félix, San Juan, El Salao, Escodú, Cerro Iglesia, and Tolé have been closed since last night and several trucks with merchandise were trapped. Closures are also reported in the sectors of Ojo de Agua and Santiago, in the province of Veraguas. In recent days, the flow of vehicles on the international highway has been intermittent after protesting groups allowed the passage of food, fuel, and medical supplies. The "humanitarian caravan" will once again have problems following the routes to supply the different markets. Javier Pitti, mayor of the district of Tierras y Altas said on TVN: "We proposed that they keep a free route to Guabalá, that from there to Soná [Veraguas] there is an expedited passage, even if we have to go through problems in Santiago, we can get through." Meanwhile, members of the Construction and Similar Workers Union (Suntracs) returned to protest in the streets on Monday, affecting vehicular traffic in several points of the capital city and in West Panama. From 7:30 am closures were reported in s such as via Israel, northern Panama, via Espana, and Punta Pacifica. Corridor closed The National Highway Company reported the closure of the South Corridor as a security and prevention measure in the event of any situation of possible vandalism. A Suntracs protest was reported in the Llano Bonito sector (Juan Díaz) near the access to the corridor. Similarly, protests are reported on the Inter-American highway in the Loma Cová sector, district of Arraiján in West Panama. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/closures-continue-despite-progress-in-dialogue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted July 27, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted July 27, 2022 Quote Call for $3 a gallon gasoline Posted 26/07/2022 Social groups t the “Panama Underway” dialogue table in Penonomé, presented at noon on Tuesday, July 26, a proposal for gasoline to be sold for $3.00 a gallon throughout the country. The proposal came at the restart of the dialogue and after the Alianza Pueblo Unido, Anadepo, and indigenous groups signed an act with the government on the consensus on the issue of the expanded basic food basket. Currently, the Government has frozen the price of a gallon of fuel at $3.25 since July 18, after the first talks with Anadepo representatives. Fernando Ábrego, from Alianza Pueblo Unido, was in charge of making the proposal this Tuesday. He said that they also demand that the fuel reduction be applied without requirements, that its application be supervised, and that a commission be established in charge of analyzing fuel prices. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/call-for-3-a-gallon-gasoline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted July 27, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted July 27, 2022 Quote David marchers demand reopening of Inter-American highway Posted 26/07/2022 A group of protestors including businessmen, poultry farmers, and agricultural producers paraded through the streets of David, Chiriqui on Tuesday, chanting “Freedom, freedom” to demand the total and immediate reopening of the Inter-American highway. Several points of the highway, in Chiriquí, have been blocked in recent weeks by indigenous people from the Ngäbe Buglé region who demand answers to the high cost of living, and medicines, among other requests. On the morning of Tuesday, the indigenous people reopened several points of the Inter-American Highway, at Horconcitos, San Juan, San Félix, and El Salado but closures continued elsewhere. Felipe Rodríguez, president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Agriculture and Tourism of Chiriquí, said that the reopening of the Inter-American "should have been the first condition to start a dialogue" in Coclé. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/david-marchers-demand-reopening-of-inter-american-highway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted July 28, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted July 28, 2022 Quote Dialogue table agrees on 7 points but not on fuel price Posted 27/07/2022 Government and the social unions at the single dialogue table for Panama reached a consensus on seven points on Tuesday night and there were dissents on four. One sticking point in which an agreement has not yet been reached is related to the price per gallon of fuel. The social groups presented a proposal of $3.00 per gallon, while the Government remains at $3.25, which is the price currently frozen for sale. The State subsidizes the difference. Fernando Ábrego, from the Alianza Unidos por la Vida, highlighted that among the consensuses, the subsidized price was applied at the national level since in some insular areas fuels are not being sold at $3.25. Likewise, it is applicable to all motor vehicles. Everything includes agricultural machinery and equipment to cut grass. The administrator of the Authority for Government Innovation, Luis Oliva, reported that another committee was formed to follow up on any anomaly presented by the platform that records transactions when buying fuel. The organizations at the table proposed that the subsidy measure is for six months, extendable, while the Executive proposed that it be for three. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/dialogue-table-agrees-on-7-points-but-not-on-fuel-price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted July 28, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted July 28, 2022 Quote Anti-corruption groups want seat at the table Posted 27/07/2022 Nine civil society organizations and movements focused on the fight against corruption have proposed a series of actions and asked to be included at the Penanome dialogue table. Olga de Obaldía, executive director of the Foundation for the Development of Citizen Freedom, the Panamanian chapter of Transparency International, explained that her statement is due to the fact that in the first days of discussions in Penonomé "the issues are not being treated transversally." Giulia de Sanctis, from the Center for Democratic Advocacy, noted that "for there to be governability, there must be legitimacy [...] the only way to recover it is through these specific measures." For the containment of spending and mitigation of public debt, they proposed: an audit of human resources to reduce the state payroll; eliminate all consultancies that are not aligned with development projects; eliminate the discretionary use of public funds; restructure the subsidy programs under strategic criteria and accountability processes and that the final beneficiaries of subsidies to companies are made transparent; and make transparent and restrict the allocation of funds for advertising, "which today are designated discretionally to media related to the government." They urged to recover the supervisory role of the Comptroller of the Republic or that he resign; and that the autonomy and budget of the National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information and the Ombudsman's Office be strengthened. Among the short-term actions, they proposed is the approval of six anti-corruption bills in the National Assembly, including the conflict of interest law and reforms to the entity's internal regulations. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/anti-corruption-groups-want-seat-at-the-table-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted July 29, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted July 29, 2022 Quote Protestors march 10 hours from Pacora to the presidency Posted 28/07/2022 A march of indigenous people, land workers, teachers, students, and residents of Panama that started at 6.30 am on Thursday, July 28 at the bridge over the Pacora River –which in recent weeks has been the scene of citizen protests ended 10 hours later at the premises of the Presidency, in San Felipe, to demand compliance with the agreements reached in the single dialogue table that takes place in Penonomé. There they delivered a letter to the Vice Minister of the Presidency, Carlos García, informing him that they support Alianza Pueblo Unidos por la Vida and Anadepo. In addition, they ask that the processes within the dialogue table be streamlined, reported the leader Kevin Sánchez. They also requested the installation of sectoral and territorial tables “with the aim of facilitating the presence and monitoring by the various political sectors throughout the country, as is the case of our organizations in Panama East. "They are taking a long time, the table is dilated, the people are waiting for results," Sánchez said earlier, asking that everything agreed to be published promptly in the Official Gazette. “If this is not the town, where is the town, the town is in the streets, forging unity”, chanted the participants in the march. The single dialogue table, which was born as a government response to the wave of social protests that occurred in the country during the month of July, celebrates a week in a session with representatives from social organizations the Executive. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/protestors-march-10-hours-from-pacora-to-the-presidency Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted July 29, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted July 29, 2022 Quote Roads around Assembly remain closed Posted 28/07/2022 While roads around the country are opening up those around the National Assembly remain closed after four weeks of protests. The National Police have installed various perimeter fences with the aim of redoubling the security of the Assembly. People must take alternate routes to reach their destinations. people must take alternate routes such as Avenida de los Mártires or Av. November 3 to avoid the closure. Residents must present some type of identification that validates their residence. The closures will continue until order is restored. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/roads-around-assembly-remain-closed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted July 30, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted July 30, 2022 Quote Producers will not recognize dialogue agreements Cattle ranchers claim $150 million losses through price controls Posted 29/07/2022 The Grand National Alliance for Panama, which brings together 120 unions of agricultural producers, and related organizations has warned that it will not recognize the agreements reached in the dialogue in Penonomé, in which popular groups and trade unions meet with government representatives. Archbishop, José Domingo Ulloa, facilitator, declared that the sectors that are not currently represented in the negotiation will be included in the "second phase". The first three issues included at the negotiating table were the reduction and freezing of the basic basket; reduction and freezing of the price of fuel, and reduction and supply of medicines, without privatizing. A fourth point proposed that 6% of the gross domestic product (GDP) be allocated to education. At the dialogue table, a 30% reduction in the basic basket was agreed upon, for which the Government promised to take a series of complementary measures, such as the establishment of price caps José Concepción Sánchez, president of the National Association of Cattlemen (Anagan), said that the price control of five cuts of meat from 2014 has caused an estimated loss of $150 million to ranchers. Production costs have skyrocketed forcing small ranchers to leave. The president of the National Council of Private Enterprise (Conep), Rubén Castillo Gill, classified the dialogue as "illegitimate", given the non-participation of the private sector. In an open letter, they see, with acute perplexity, that the dialogue advances at the speed of a single thought. "One sector turned it into a theater of political proposals, which insults and outrages those who create jobs and promote development." Panama needs real solutions and an authentic act of contrition from all; mainly, from the authorities that must make profound rectifications with regard to the fight against corruption and the effective promotion of the austere State”, said the letter. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/producers-will-not-recognize-dialogue-agreements Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted July 31, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted July 31, 2022 Quote Parents travel to Coclé denounce teacher strike Posted 30/07/2022 Members of parents' associations traveled to Coclé on Saturday to denounce at the "single dialogue table” the national teacher strike that began almost a month ago in Panama which they said denied the rights of children Banners carried messages such as "Enough is enough" or "Getting paid without working is also corruption." "Constitutionally they have rights, but the human rights of our children are being violated," one of the protesters told local television. A delegation was received by the Archbishop of Panama, José Domingo Ulloa, facilitator of the dialogue; the Minister of Education, Maruja Gorday, and educational leaders. The nationwide teachers' strike began on July 6, although some schools have remained open and are giving classes to the few children who attend mostly elementary school The educational leaders have said that they will maintain the educational strike until they obtain "a satisfactory answer" from the Government to the demand that they comply with the 6% of the gross domestic product for education, as established by law but not honored. They argue that quality education cannot be provided if the high school laboratories are empty, or the infrastructure and services of the schools are deficient. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/parents-travel-to-cocle-denounce-teacher-strike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted August 1, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted August 1, 2022 Quote Teachers will meet Monday to endorse dialogue agreement Posted 31/07/2022 Leaders of the different teachers' unions who have been on strike for almost a month called their bases to meet on Monday, August 1 order to explain the agreements reached in Penonomé, Coclé. At the table for the first block of the agenda of eight topics were members of the Executive, unions, teachers, and indigenous groups. Compliance with the law of 6% of the gross domestic product for education was agreed and the talks concluded with 21 consensuses, and there were no disagreements. On Monday it is expected then to present these agreements to the teachers and for the bases to decide if they support what has been achieved said Luis Sánchez, general secretary of the Veragüenses Association of Educators (Aeve). Sánchez commented that the bases are “flexible” and that, in his opinion, they are not going to oppose what has been established at the dialogue table. Once this endorsement is obtained from the bases the unions will be able to meet with the authorities of the Ministry of Education (Meduca) to see the strike settlement document. The document must establish that no measures will be taken against educators, directors, supervisors, and other educational personnel who participated in the work stoppage. It must also include the methodology for the recovery of academic content. Meduca has not ruled out an extension of the school year. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/teachers-will-meet-monday-to-endorse-dialogue-agreement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted August 1, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted August 1, 2022 Quote Business leaders attack “delirious monologue” without an austerity roadmap Posted 31/07/2022 Adopting economic and commercial policies without the active participation of the private sector reveals a deep ignorance of how the economy works and its effects could be diametrically opposed to those desired said Panama’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (Cciap) on Sunday referring to the measures that the Government is adopting as a result of the agreements reached at the single dialogue table, in Penonomé. The comments followed those of The National Council of Private Enterprise (Conep) which labeled the talks “a delirious monologue” As part of what was agreed at the table, the Government expanded the basic family basket to 72 products, with measures that extend the price regulation scheme and that have already been approved by executive decrees. The dialogue closed, on Saturday with, the chapter on medicines, after a day that ended with 17 consensuses and 13 dissents. "As has been repeatedly demonstrated, imposing figures such as price controls, profit margin controls, and trade barriers ultimately end up affecting not only the private sector and the country's producers, but also the consumers themselves," the Chamber said. The Cciap predicted that in a short time the country's economy will begin to see the consequences of making critical decisions without any technical support "beyond the ideological whim." Shortage of products, decrease in supply, disincentives to production; deterioration in the value for money, are some of the immediate effects that all Panamanians will suffer.” “Immediately added to this, the investment and growth prospects of the economy will be directly impacted, which in turn will increase the already worrying unemployment nationwide. Not to mention the possibility of economic reactivation, to which with the agreements presented so far at the dialogue table will suffer a significant setback, "said the organization. The Cciap said that the bill for the general budget of the State for $27,162.9 million lacks containment and control of public spending and "much less austerity." "We reiterate the need for the roadmap to be presented as soon as possible that reflects a true implementation of the necessary actions with respect to substantial savings by the National Government, since, with the recent measures taken, the future is even more uncertain.” https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/business-leaders-attack-delirious-monologue-without-an-austerity-roadmap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted August 4, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted August 4, 2022 Quote Transparency coalition presents road map to fight corruption No seat at the table for transparency coalition. Posted 03/08/2022 The pro-transparency Coalition, made up of nine movements and NGOs, asked the Dialogue for Panama table which restarted on Wednesday afternoon in Penonomé, to give priority to transparency and anti-corruption issue In a statement, the coalition highlights that while the daily protests that took place across the country several weeks ago, as well as the widespread street closures, evidenced deep social unrest and a serious governance crisis, corruption, and embezzlement of public resources must also be addressed promptly. “The systemic problem of corruption, lack of transparency in public management, the irresponsible use of public resources and with institutions completely at the mercy of patronage structures, in the face of a judicial system where acts of corruption go unpunished and that have shown the profound inequality structural that Panama has been dragging for decades, are much deeper and structural causes that have resulted in the deterioration of an institutional framework that is no longer capable of solving the great problems of injustice, inequality, and exclusion”, it points out. The organizations proposed immediate and short-term actions that should be discussed at the table. They propose, for example, the containment of spending and public debt, ending the state of emergency, and strengthening control institutions. Among the short-term measures to combat corruption, they propose the sanctioning of a conflict of interest law, the protection of whistleblowers, review of penalties for crimes of corruption, reform of Internal Regulations of the National Assembly, regulating lobbying, and approving the forfeiture of illicit assets. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/transparency-coalition-presents-road-map-to-fight-corruption Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted August 4, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted August 4, 2022 Quote Business and anti-corruption groups frozen out of national dialogue Room at the table only for groups that paralyzed Panama for four weeks Posted 03/08/2022 The national dialogue between representatives of Panama social groups and the Government resumed on, Wednesday, August 3, without the participation of business associations and civil society organizations that promote , anti-corruption efforts have requested that they be included in the worktable. The meetings will continue as they have been until now, with only with representatives of the gups that led the street demonstrations that paralyzed the country for four weeks. The Archdiocese of Panama, the institution facilitating the dialogue, said that the challenge is to end the discussion of the topics on Friday, August 5. In the second phase of the process, when the tables are set up to follow up on the agreed issues, space will be given to the other sectors. But there is still no fixed date. "The first four points were the most difficult, and those that had to remove the pressure that kept people on the street," a spokesperson for the Catholic Church told La Prensa. The actors have reached a consensus on four issues: fuel prices, basic basket, medicines, and education. The Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture (Cciap) said they have not been given a date for the second phase. “Believing that it is possible to adopt economic and commercial policies without the participation of the private sector not only reveals a profound ignorance of how the economy works but also that its effects could be diametrically opposed to those desired,” said a Cciap spokesperson. Unfeasible agreements Different business associations have stated that the discussions at the table have "resulted in agreements without technical support, unfeasible and unsustainable." President Cortizo, after holding a meeting with representatives of the business sector in the presidency traveled to Penonomé and communicated to Archbishop Ulloa, the importance of including the sector in the discussion. But leaders of the participating groups, including Saúl Méndez, general secretary of the Construction and Allied Workers Union (Suntracs), have opposed it. Anti-corruption organizations have criticized the table's methodology for not addressing the issue of corruption and transparency in a "transversal" way. A coalition of nine civil society organizations argues that the fight against corruption should be a priority and permeate all the issues addressed at the table. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/business-and-anti-corruption-groups-frozen-out-of-national-dialogue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted August 6, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted August 6, 2022 Quote The ombudsman monitored 368 social unrest cases May-August Posted 05/08/2022 The use of tear gas in 12 demonstrations, rubber bullets in 6 protests, the use of firearms in 3, and threats by a police unit in a protest, are listed in a preliminary report by the ombudsman on social unrest in Panama in the months of May to August. Through its Citizen Support Plan (PAC), the ombudsman’s office maintained a presence in 368 situations of social unrest, making a total of 1,483 PAC hours. The five provinces that registered the most accompaniments by Human Rights officers were: Herrera, Los Santos, Chiriquí - San Félix, Coclé, and Veraguas; where most of the actions were organized by teachers, carriers, communities, members of SUNTRACS, and students. According to statistical data compiled by the 14 regional offices, in 55% of the cases, it was a total closure of roads, 18% partial closure of streets, 2% closure of institutions and in the remaining 25%, there was no affectation. In addition, the report shows that in 92% there were no confrontations, while in 8% of the accompaniments there were altercations and the types of violence that arose were: the destruction of private property, damage to state property, stone-throwing, and others. projectiles, burning tires, barricades, jostling between demonstrators and riot police; as well as aggressiveness towards human rights officials and the press that covering the events. The report revealed the presence of children and adolescents in 57% of the demonstrations. Complaints were filed in the Regional Offices of San Félix, Chiriquí, Veraguas, and Los Santos; while at the headquarters, complaints were filed for events recorded at the University of Panama, Cinta Costera, and Puente de Pacora. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/the-ombudsman-monitored-368-social-unrest-cases-may-august-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted August 8, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted August 8, 2022 Quote Protestors return to the streets Wednesday Stalled talks Posted 07/08/2022 The dialogue table in Cocle adjourned on Saturday until Thursday, August 11 after two days of talks about the future of Panama’s social security system (CSS) without apparent progress. At the end of this Saturday's meeting, Luis Sánchez, from the Alliance for the Rights of Organized People (Anadepo), said that the Government is not complying with the agreements on freezing the prices of the basic basket and fuel and called on the Consumer Protection and Defense Authority of the Competition (Acodeco) so that it enforces what was agreed upon in the dialogue. In addition, spokesmen for the Bastión del Oriente Chiricano and Anadepo announced that as of Wednesday, August 10, they will resume protest actions in different provinces of the country to ask that the consensus be reached at the single table be respected. This topic is especially sensitive for alliance leaders. Fernando Castañeda, general secretary of the Association of Physicians and Dentists of the CSS, said that if the government wants to take them to a “lockdown” in the Parlatino, they could resume the forceful actions in the streets that forced the Government to sit down with them. Returning to the streets, in the words of Fernando Ábrego, secretary of the Association of Teachers of Panama, is not a threat, but rather a "constitutional right" that they could exercise at any time. The general secretary of the Association of Veragüense Educators, Luis Sánchez, for example, said that "it is not negotiable" the claim that 49,000 teachers return to have this type of retirement, eliminated in 1998, and that implied that a teacher retired before the rest of those listed in the CSS. The legal adviser of the CSS, Juan Ospino, said that there is no agreement on the proposal to return to the solidarity system and on the application of special pensions for certain sectors. Ospino proposed that the members of the Penonomé dialogue join those of the Parlatino dialogue table. In addition, he specified that the default of the private sector in terms of CSS fees is $300 million and not “$10 billion”, as was said at the table. At 6:30 p.m. a recess was decreed until next Thursday with a new facilitator and new methodology. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/protestors-return-to-the-streets-wednesday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricco Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 How about forming a group that protest Protesters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted August 9, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted August 9, 2022 Quote Nationwide street protests urged for Wednesday Posted 08/08/2022 Social groups, the construction workers union (Suntracs) and the Association of Veragüenses Educators (AEVE), are calling for renewed protests on Wednesday because they believe the government has breached agreements reached at the single dialogue table in Penonomé. Saúl Méndez, secretary of Suntracs, announced a protest action for this Wednesday, August 10, in the face of disagreement over non-compliance with the agreements at the single dialogue table and delay in the discussion of the issues on the table. Méndez explained that the Alianza Pueblo Unido and other organizations will join this protest action that consists of the closure of streets nationwide starting at 7:00 am. “An action that seeks to send a strong message to the government, that we are not playing games, that we are demanding that what was to be fulfilled be complied with and additionally provide answers on the points that are not there, such as medicines, in terms of energy. , the issue of corruption and the theme of the thematic tables is still missing,” said the union leader. Méndez denounced that in terms of food, they have observed the blackmail of businessmen who have begun to increase prices "but also the 72 items agreed with the government do not appear in supermarkets, stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, it is a complaint of the population and obviously, we have to tell the people that the result of executing these policies is the government of Nito Cortizo.” he stated. And with the beginning of the discussion at the dialogue table on the subject of the Social Security Fund, Méndez requests that a real dialogue be held, since he considers that there has been opposition from the representatives of the Government and the CSS in responding so that there is a democratic, real dialogue, in which all the actors that have to do with the issue of Social Security participate, the Association of Veraguenses Educators (AEVE), also called for nationwide picketing, on Wednesday to demand compliance with the agreements of the Single Table of Dialogue for Panama. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/nationwide-street-protests-urged-for-wednesday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted August 10, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted August 10, 2022 Quote Wednesday street closure threats “irresponsible” - Minister Posted 09/08/2022 Panama’s Minister of Commerce and Industry (Mici) Federico Alfaro Boyd, described as “irresponsible” the threats of street closures announced for Wednesday by some union groups that participate in the Single Dialogue Table, in Coclé. Alfaro highlighted that the National Government took actions such as including more than 70 products in the basic basket, eliminating tariffs on more than 17 products, and using the fairs of the Agricultural Marketing Institute (IMA) and the Ministry of Agricultural Development (Mida) to sell to a price of 25% discount, 35 products and freezing 18 products of the basic basket". "That is to say, we use three mechanisms to ensure that we can meet the needs of the people in terms of the basic basket, even though some sectors of that dialogue table still threaten to close streets, that seems irresponsible to me," Alfaro said. HAlfaro pointed out that it has been shown that "street closures produce absolutely nothing, they affect all Panamanians, they prevent children and young people from going to school, and what they want is to continue reactivating the economy. "We suffered one of the worst crises as a result of the pandemic (and in 2021, despite this, Panama was able to position itself in the region as the country with the highest economic growth of almost 14% and in the first six months By 2022 we were growing at almost 13%," said the Mici minister. A provocation The president of the Panama Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIAP), Marcela Galindo, asked the Government to guarantee free transit before the announcement of closures, as she considers "they are a provocation" when there is still a process of dialogue."We are completely opposed to this position and we call on the government to guarantee the free movement of Panamanians during this period," Galindo said. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/wednesday-street-closure-threats-irresponsible-minister Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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