Colon protests expand with conflicting government messages

Demonstration in Colon and across the country continued throughout Wednesday October 24 as conflicting messages from the government created renewed  anger among protesters.

The Government says it continue to seek a rapprochement with the groups that have been calling for the repeal of Law 72, which allows the sale of land in the Colon Free Zone (CFZ ).
But to date. Says La Prensa, it has not been clearly defined which of the two options presented, Tuesday, will eventually be implemented
The first was announced at a press conference by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Frank De Lima, noting modifications be made to the Act to give 72 to 100% of the sale of land of the CFZ to Colon province.
The second proposal sent by President of the Republic, Ricardo Martinelli, through his Twitter account and later confirmed by the Ministry of Communications, is to repeal sections that deal with the sale of the land and grant Colon 100% of rent proceeds.
None of the government's proposals include full repeal of the law demanded by the various businness associations, guilds and unionsat a national level.
Luis Eduardo Camacho, government communications secretary told La Prensa that the government is making consistent efforts and progress has been made in the dialogue, and the bishop of the province of Colon and Kuna Yala, Audilio Aguilar, is the mediator.
Meanwhile, Edgardo Voitier, a member of the Colon Broad Front by Columbus, said the groups will continue their struggle and announced the 48 hour strike which took effect from Monday will be extended by 24 hours.
He announced part of the planned actions that will be be a 7 am march on Thursday to churches especially pastors of evangelical churches and he invited everyone to attend dressed in white "as a peace sign”
After the march there will be a rally at San Jose Paulino church .
CHILD'S FUNERAL
At 2:00 pm. Protestors will attend the funeral of the nine year old killed by a bullet on Friday, October 19, during the unrest in the province.
Voitier told TVN News , "we want to repeal the law 72 and after that sit down to negotiate important aspects for the province."
As TV imags of the protests continue to appear around the world Carmen Rosa Villa Quintana, Regional Office of the High Commissioner of the United Nations for Human Rights urged dialogue between the social sectors and the Government.
Juan Carlos Varela, Vice President, said the President Martinelli has acted "irresponsibly " and has left the country “drifting aimlessly."
Martinelli should return "immediately" and engage in a dialogue regarding the modernization of the FTZ.
Varela criticized the actions of the members of the Cabinet, the communications secretary of state, Luis Eduardo Camacho and Assembly Speaker Sergio Gálvez.
According to their statements on RPC Radio , Camacho has a role "very sad" every time he goes in the media, while the ministers who have charge of the situation, "have shown a lack of leadership" in the absence of President Martinelli.
Throughout Wednesday Groups across the country demonstrated in support of the Colon protestors. In Panama the already painful traffic chaos was exacerbated with road blockages in the early morning and late afternoon Unions, students of the National Institute and the University of Panama and the members of the Front for the Defense of Democracy, an umbrella organization of opposition political groups, environmental associations, women's group and others were among those who picketed and marched..
Ngäbe Buglé indigenous bases announced that from Thursday they will begin days of protests across the country.
In Bocas del Toro Banana workers set a 72 hours deadline for president, Ricardo Martinelli, and the National Assembly to repeal the Law 72.
The National Negotiating Medical Commission told La Prensa that it is evaluating joining other sector in the protests.