SUNTRACS and the Red Frog Farms in Litigation in Panama – Union Leader Claims to be a Political Refugee
The 14 properties located in the Red Frog residential and tourist complex on Bastimentos Island, which were under the control of the Single Union of Construction Workers (Suntracs) and its cooperative, will be handed over to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).
The legal proceedings that have the main leaders of the Single Union of Construction and Related Workers (Suntracs) facing prosecution or in open flight bear no relation to the street protests of the last month, which are the hallmark of this group. Paradoxically, its origin lies in a lawsuit initiated by its own ranks. These workers, now plaintiffs, were compensated by Pillar Construction, SA and Ocean Group International Inc. (which until August 2009 was called Pillar Panama, SA), developers of the failed tourism and residential project in Bastimentos. Instead of cash, the companies provided a villa at the PH Red Frog Beach Club and 13 plots of land.
Suntracs Loses Custody of Red Frog Farms Worth Nearly 10 times the “Loan” According to Prosecutors.
The Red Frog residential and tourist project is located on Bastimentos Island, Bocas del Toro. The 14 properties located in the Red Frog residential and tourist complex on Bastimentos Island, which were under the control of the Single Union of Construction Workers (Suntracs) and its cooperative, will be handed over to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). The 14 properties total 33,712 square meters and were donated by Pillar Construction, SA (which changed its name to Bastimentos Holding) to compensate 412 workers who participated in a strike—declared legal by the Ministry of Labor—that took place from February 5, 2007, to October 14, 2008.
SUNTRACS Union Leader Saúl Méndez Claims to be a “Political Refugee”
Although union leader Saúl Méndez claims to be a “political refugee,” Panamanian authorities clarified that his asylum request is based on humanitarian, not political, reasons. According to Vice Foreign Minister Carlos Hoyos, the National Refugee Council (Conare) has not yet issued a statement on the matter, but it is still within the timeframe established to announce its decision. The agency has 90 days, or three months, to review the request from the secretary of the National Union of Construction and Related Workers (Suntracs). Hoyos stated that the only update they have received from Bolivian authorities is that Méndez’s case is being investigated; however, he made it clear that this is a humanitarian issue, not a political one.
The vice chancellor clarified that the investigations allegedly involving the union leader, date back to 2022 and were not initiated by government authorities, either during the current or previous administrations. “This is something that began as an internal initiative of Suntracs workers who believe they were affected by the actions of their union leaders, and in that sense, it is an action that, in accordance with our constitutional system, has been carried out by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which is the responsible authority,” he said. The Foreign Ministry reiterated that it will await CONARE’s response to determine future action if Méndez is not granted this protection. The Suntracs leader jumped over the fence of the Bolivian embassy last Wednesday, May 21, requesting protection because he was supposedly in danger.
“We understand that Mr. Méndez approached the Bolivian embassy in Panama at around 2:30 a.m., climbed over the fence, knocked on the door, and requested asylum with a letter in hand,” the Foreign Ministry said, based on information provided by Bolivian authorities. While Saúl remains a refugee in the Bolivian embassy, Genaro López, another of the alleged suspects in the investigation, was transferred to the Nueva Joya Penitentiary Center for alleged involvement in aggravated fraud and money laundering. According to Panamanian authorities, it is unknown whether any other union members have requested asylum for political or humanitarian reasons due to the investigation being conducted by the Public Ministry.
Police Surround Bolivian Embassy: Saúl Méndez Remains Holed up Inside the Diplomatic Headquarters
A group of police officers arrived at noon on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the Bolivian embassy in Panama, where Saúl Méndez, general secretary of the Single Union of Construction Workers (Suntracs), is currently seeking refuge. Saúl Méndez remains sheltered at the diplomatic headquarters.
