Closure of highways enters fourth day as talks begin
Demonstrations, which began on Friday on the Inter-American highway continued on Monday at San Lorenzo, San Félix, Remedios, and Tolé to demand responses to the constant rise in fuel prices and the high cost of living.
On Sunday, the passage through the highway was reopened, but only for two hours (from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm). “The time has come, Panamanian brothers, to go out and defend your rights,” is part of the call made by the indigenous leader, Toribio García.
A closure supported by truck drivers, fishermen, and taxi drivers, among others was reported near the bridge over the La Villa river.
In a statement issued by the Tranceibosa transport company, the line that owns the Bocas del Toro-Panama collective transport service, the suspension of services was announced indefinitely until the current situation is resolved. The transport company Terminales Panamá-David reported a similar action last Saturday.
Another group of indigenous people from the Ngäbe Buglé region has closed on the Inter-American highway, at Santiago de Veraguas. They said that they will continue with these demonstrations until there are concrete answers at the dialogue table with the government of Laurentino Cortizo.
The Government has reported that starting at 10:00 am work table will be installed in the Coopeve convention center, in Santiago de Veraguas, to deal with the situation.
