The Panama Prosecutor’s Office Has Issued Arrest Warrants for the SUNTRACS Board of Directors

The Second Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime issued an arrest warrant against the Suntracs board of directors and leaders of the Single Union of Construction and Related Workers (Suntracs).  Genaro López pictured on the left, was the former union secretary wanted for alleged aggravated fraud.   According to the Public Ministry, the investigation dates back to 2022, following a complaint filed by former workers on a construction project located on Bastimentos Island, in the province of Bocas del Toro.  Then there is Saúl Méndez on the right, a current union leader, who jumped the fence at the Bolivian embassy to request asylum.   Wanted are other members of the Suntracs board of directors and the Press has access to the complete list of Suntracs members who have warrants out for their arrest during this investigation. 

Saúl Méndez, general secretary of the Single Union of Construction and Related Workers (Suntracs), entered the Bolivian embassy in Panama in the early hours of Wednesday, May 21, after jumping over the perimeter fence of the diplomatic compound, with the intention of requesting political asylum.  Suárez Cornejo appeared at the Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday morning to officially submit his asylum request. While the Bolivian government evaluates the request, the embassy has granted Méndez temporary protection, as established by diplomatic protocol in such cases.

The IPACOOP deputy director defends the cancellation of Suntracs credit union or cooperative.  The cancellation of the legal status of the cooperative affiliated with the Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs) was carried out “in accordance with the law.” This was stated on Wednesday by Boris Allara, deputy director of the Panamanian Autonomous Cooperative Institute (IPACOOP). Allara asserted that the institution’s mission is to safeguard the “noble system” of cooperativism.  He noted that Suntracs can still file motions for reconsideration and appeal, and even go to the Supreme Court of Justice. However, once those avenues are exhausted, the cooperative or credit union—now devoid of legal status—will be transferred to a liquidation board.

Suntracs Assures that its Cooperative Continues to Operate despite IPACOOP ordering its closure and Confirms Saúl Méndez’s Asylum Request

The National Union of Construction and Related Workers (Suntracs) stated that the life of leader Saúl Méndez “was in danger,” which is why he requested asylum at the Bolivian Embassy in Panama on Wednesday, May 21.  Furthermore, it was indicated that the entity will continue to operate, despite the alleged financial irregularities reported by the Panamanian Autonomous Cooperative Institute (IPACOOP).

Eduardo Gil Pictured Below Warns of a ‘Civil Dictatorship’ and Supports Protests Following Saúl Méndez’s Asylum Request

Saúl Méndez’s recent asylum request at the Bolivian Embassy, ​​and the provisional detention of union leader Jaime Caballero in La Joya prison, are signs that the rule of law and democracy are at risk, according to Eduardo Gil, secretary general of the Trade Union Convergence Confederation, an organization active in the protests held by social groups across the country since last April.  “It’s not just Law 462, but the President’s attitude toward violating the separation of powers, including his interference in the legislature and his manipulation of the judiciary,” he noted.

The Foreign Ministry Issues a Statement on Saúl Méndez’s Asylum Request to the Bolivian Embassy

Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez Acha spoke out on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 21, regarding the asylum request made by Saúl Méndez, leader of the Single Union of Construction and Related Workers (Suntracs), to the Bolivian embassy in Panama.  “Mr. Saúl Méndez will enjoy the benefit of diplomatic asylum because we are a government that respects international law,” stated the Panamanian Foreign Minister. He added that Bolivia will make the final decision on whether or not to grant him asylum, and that in the meantime, Panama will respect that process.