Government in Panama announces "emergency state" due to demonstrations in Bocas del Toro region.
Unrest in Bocas del Toro: A Tumultuous Saga Over Bananas and Pensions
Recently, Panama's Bocas del Toro province, renowned as the nation's prime banana-producing area, has become a hotbed of tension due to the government's decision to suspend assembly and movement freedoms. This move was triggered by a series of disturbances, lootings, destruction of airport facilities, and roadblocks initiated by protesters over the past few weeks.
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The authorities have declared this measure under a "state of emergency," temporarily suspending several constitutional guarantees, including those pertaining to privacy in private homes and personal communications. Juan Carlos Orillac, the Minister of the Presidency, made the announcement during a press conference attended by all members of José Raúl Mulino's cabinet.
Orillac stated that the government decided to establish an emergency and suspend certain constitutional guarantees across Bocas del Toro for a period of five days. The purpose of this measure is, in his words, "to restore peace and order." He added further that this action seeks to prevent "radical and criminal groups from gathering to organize acts of violence and vandalism that put both property and people at risk."
Meanwhile, the Minister of Security, Frank Ábrego, emphasized that though gatherings and activities causing public disorder are now prohibited, people are free to travel to and from work or home without any impediments.
Historically, the Government imposed a state of emergency in the same province on May 27, but at that time, constitutional rights were not limited. Their initial action was a response to a banana workers' strike and roadblocks, which were part of the protests against a law that reformed the Social Security system.
These protests, lasting nearly two months, intensified on the eve of the announcement, with clashes and acts of vandalism occurring. Consequently, the security forces have deployed more than 1,500 agents in the province.
During the press conference, Orillac accused "violent groups of people wearing hoods" of committing acts of criminality and urban terrorism, which included lootings, partial destruction of a baseball stadium, attacks on businesses, and severe damage to the Changuinola airport. These incidents resulted in one death, over 50 people being detained, and dozens injured, including several officers.
Political scientist Sabrina Bacal opined that these actions should be classified as "criminal acts, not a protest." She noted that this response can be traced to ideological origins, with the government maintaining a "very aggressive and sectarian discourse," refusing to listen to other groups' perspectives.
The original protests emerged in April, following the approval of a pension reform law, and quickly gained traction among construction unions, teachers, and Indigenous groups. Later, banana workers in Bocas del Toro joined in, arguing that the new norm undermined labor benefits obtained under the 2017 law that regulated their sector.
The magnitude of the blockades transformed the province into the national epicenter of protests, leading to shortages of basic supplies, causing millions of dollars in losses. A new special law came into effect this week to increase labor benefits for workers in the sector following an agreement between deputies and union leaders. However, many social actors and groups of teachers rejected this pact, which sparked a new wave of protests, clashes, and renewed backlash.
(With information from AFP, AP, and EFE)
Related Topics:
- Panama
- Bocas del Toro
- Protests in Panama
- Banana sector
- José Raúl Mulino
- State of Emergency
- Latest News Panama
- Panama Banana Industry
In light of the recent events, protests over the pension reform and labor benefits in the banana sector have intensified, sparking unrest and violence in Bocas del Toro, the heart of Panama's banana production. The government, citing public safety concerns, has declared a state of emergency, suspending constitutional guarantees and imposing restrictions on gatherings and activities. This decision has sparked debates among political analysts, with some classifying these actions as criminal acts rather than peaceful protests.
