Panama Christmas marred by multiple gang killings

The Spirit of Christmas,2011 in Panama, was reflected in violent gun battles and gang assassinations with at least nine people dead.

The killings took place in El Chorillo, Las Acacias, and San Miguelito, Rio Abajo and Chilibre, giving the tabloids a post Christmas field day of bloody images splashed across theri front pages.

In El Chorrillo  gang fights led  at one stage to the  December 25 suspension of garbage collection, from sites piled high with seasonal  overload.

Garbage trucks were able to to return  in the afternoon, after authorities controlled  the situation.

The garbage authority  said Rio Abajo was another area  where work was affected by gang fights leaving at least two dead.

A week ago the inhabitants of El Chorrillo, where according to official figures 14 gangs operate told La Prensa there had been no clashes between rival gangs for a month, and hoped to have a quiet Christmas.

Garbage  collection continued in other parts of the city on December 26, after garbage trucks were unable to reach some sectors on Christmas Day because of illegally parked vehicles.