Former President of Bolivia asks the Bolivian Government to Grant Political Asylum to Saúl Méndez – Other SUNTRACS News Below

Former Bolivian President Evo Morales is requesting that President Luis Arce’s government grant political asylum to Suntracs leader Saúl Méndez, who entered the Bolivian diplomatic mission in Panama yesterday, Wednesday.  We strongly demand that the Bolivian government grant diplomatic asylum to our colleague Saúl Méndez of @suntracspanama, who, along with his colleagues, is a victim of persecution in Panama.  Panama’s President Mulino would consider a safe-conduct permit for Saúl Méndez if Bolivia grants him asylum.  Méndez, secretary general of Suntracs, entered the diplomatic embassy in the early hours of Wednesday, May 21, after jumping over the perimeter fence, seeking political asylum. The decision on whether or not to grant political asylum to Suntracs leader Saúl Méndez will be a new round in the ongoing feud between President Luis Arce and former President Evo Morales in Bolivia.  Arce came to power in 2020, when he was elected president of Bolivia by the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), and since Morales returned to the country in 2019, the differences have intensified.

At dawn, Calle G in the El Cangrejo neighborhood is usually quiet, with little traffic and only a smattering of light from streetlights and residential windows. It was in this peaceful setting that Saúl Méndez, protected by the darkness and the stealth of the night, climbed over the fence of the Bolivian embassy to request political asylum.  Carlos Javier Suárez Cornejo, the embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires, communicated this to the Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For now, the Bolivian government, headed by President Luis Arce Catacora, has granted him temporary protection. The National Refugee Council of that country will evaluate and decide on the request.

In other SUNTRACS news, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, in conjunction with the National Police, conducted a series of judicial proceedings regarding the case against Jaime Caballero, leader of the Single Union of Construction and Related Workers (Suntracs). A search was also carried out at a home in Alto Boquete, where Caballero’s daughter lives. The union leader is facing charges of money laundering and financial crimes and is under provisional detention.

Genaro López, leader of the Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs), appeared Thursday before the Second Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime, which issued an arrest warrant for the alleged commission of the crimes of aggravated fraud, money laundering and violation of public trust.  The investigation is in response to a complaint filed by former workers on a construction project in Bocas del Toro, who were affiliated with Suntracs.  Prosecutor Gilberto Arona Cárdenas, who is handling the case, requested a hearing to file charges, which should be scheduled within the next 24 hours.

Police are Searching for Erasmo Cerrud Pictured Above, Another Suntracs Leader Accused of Money Laundering

Erasmo Cerrud Pinzón is wanted by the National Police.  Authorities are on the trail of union leader Erasmo Cerrud, a member of the leadership of the Single Union of Construction and Related Workers (Suntracs). He is being charged by the Second Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime with the alleged crimes of fraud, money laundering, and criminal association.