Protesting .teachers block principle thoroughfare in Santiago, Panama

Educators from Veragua closed Central Avenue in Santiago, Panama for an hour on Saturday afternoon, undeterred by new laws threatening long jail terms for street closings.

Teachers accuse the government of President Ricardo Martinelli of suppressing, persecuting and intimidating the population
Juan Ramón Herrara, general secretary of the Association of Educators Veragüenses, said the situation that prevails in the country led them to decide to join in the call that was made for the nationwide strike next Tuesday.

Herrera said that there is a situation of repression in the country and in the capital city 10 leaders were arrested without any valid reason.