Closures Persist in Bocas del Toro Despite Agreement; Mulino Announces Intervention
The president affirmed that there will be no contact with Chiquita. The president of the Assembly, Dana Castañeda, pledged to meet with the transnational corporation in agreement with Sitraibana.
Despite the agreement signed this week between Francisco Smith, general secretary of the Union of Banana, Agricultural, and Related Business Workers (Sitraibana), and the leadership of the National Assembly, road closures in the province of Bocas del Toro remain at least 20 points. The protests, now led by teachers, parents, and members of civil society, continue in opposition to Law 462, which reforms the Social Security Fund (CSS), as well as other decisions promoted by the current government. During his weekly press conference, President José Raúl Mulino acknowledged that these blockades are not the responsibility of the banana sector, but rather groups that “ignore the agreement and will continue these closures.”
Faced with this situation, the president announced actions to open the roads: “The chaos is over. Bocas del Toro will no longer be held hostage by Smith or the educators; I have given instructions for that,” he said, adding that the Minister of Security, along with the National Border Service (Senafront) and the National Police, already have precise instructions to intervene. Last night, the National Police announced in a statement that they will close access to the province to private vehicles starting tonight at midnight, allowing access only to humanitarian aid. Mulino also reported that Chiquita Panama facilities have been ordered protected from threats of possible occupation. “We will not allow their occupation or destruction,” he warned. “The damage caused in the province this month has been enough. Enough is enough,” the Chief Executive stated.
He also said at his press conference that he will not engage in any communication with Chiquita Panama to restore the banana workers’ jobs. However, within the agreement reached Wednesday in the Assembly between Sitraibana and the Legislative Body’s board of directors, one of the points establishes that Representative Dana Castañeda, as president of the entity, will meet with the company. In the agreement, Castañeda pledged to communicate with Chiquita to learn about its current status, that of its workers, and the company’s future prospects, with the goal of preserving jobs in this industry. Meanwhile, in the province of Chiriquí, there were clashes between riot police and a group of teachers who were blocking provincial roads. The confrontation erupted when authorities attempted to clear the road, but the protesters refused to leave the area. During the operation, at least two teachers were arrested in front of the Regional Education Directorate, where protesters were also gathered. Late in the afternoon, the National Assembly advanced its second reading of the bill agreed upon with the Assembly and presented by the Executive Branch on Wednesday.
The National Police Temporarily Restricts Vehicular Traffic to Bocas del Toro
Only emergency vehicles and humanitarian aid vehicles are allowed. Dialogue, peace, and citizen security are being promoted.
The National Police reported that, due to the current situation caused by groups taking advantage of social protests to commit criminal acts, the decision has been made to temporarily restrict the passage of private cars, buses, and cargo vehicles on the highway leading to the province of Bocas del Toro. According to the statement, emergency vehicles and those transporting humanitarian aid will be allowed expedited access.
In other protest and road blockade news, Toribio García pictured above, the self-proclaimed indigenous leader, was arrested by the National Police in an operation in the Viguí area, according to official sources. In a video posted by Toribio on his Instagram account, he called on communities to protest against Law 462 of the Social Security Fund and called on the government not to attack Indigenous people.
