Deepening crisis as protests continue for eleventh day

Protests and road closures continued across Panama on Thursday marking the 11th consecutive day as more and more citizen groups express their discontent with the little action of the government in the face of the increase in the cost of fuel prices, food of the basic basket, waste of State resources, the increase in the state payroll and corruption.

The Pan-American highway was closed at the Capira and Punta Chame, at various points in the province of Veraguas, in the province of Colón in El Giral and in Alto de Los Lagos-Calle 13.

In the capital the  Ricardo J. Alfaro road, on the Pan-American highway in Pacora, was closed while in the province of Chiriquí the protesters allowed the movement of vehicles on the Inter-American road, in the East of the province, after fulfilling 24 hours since the last opening, but they announced that they will close it again indefinitely.

In Plaza 5 de Mayo, which has been the epicenter of demonstrations, the entire perimeter of the National Assembly was cordoned off and guarded by units of the National Police.

Carriers in the province of Chiriquí remain on indefinite strike, which began at dawn.