Panama Government Deploys Operation Omega Saturday June 14 in Bocas del Toro
This Saturday, June 14, the National Government activated “Operation Omega”, a strategic deployment to restore free traffic in the province, after more than 40 days of closures that have severely affected producers, entrepreneurs, transporters and the tourism sector.
The measure was ordered by President José Raúl Mulino and responds to the constitutional mandate to guarantee the free and safe movement of all citizens.
Strong police contingent headed to Bocas del Toro. With respect to the law and a commitment to social peace, the recovery of blocked roads is progressing, protecting the rights of citizens and tranquility in this important region of the country.
Members of the National Police are Clearing the Roadblock in Bocas del Toro.
The Ministry of Security began operations to reopen roads in Bocas del Toro; clashes erupted in several areas. National Police and National Border Service units successfully opened at least three roadblocks in the Chiriquí Grande area of Bocas del Toro province along with several locations in Bocas del Toro, and seize Molotov cocktails amid clashes.
Strike in Bocas del Toro: Government Begins Operation to Restore Free Movement
To carry out this operation, a contingent of public forces is advancing along the road, escorting a truck carrying heavy machinery to carry out road clearing work.
Bocas del Toro: Bill 290, which establishes a special regime for banana company workers and independent banana producers, was approved in its third debate. Operation Omega began this Saturday, June 14, at 6:00 a.m. in the province of Bocas del Toro. The objective? According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Security, this is a strategic action aimed at restoring free movement in the province. The operation was ordered by the President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, and ” responds to the constitutional mandate that guarantees all citizens the right to free movement and arises as a direct response to the repeated complaints from producers, business owners, members of civil society, and the tourism sector, who have been seriously affected by more than 40 days of closures at key mobility points in the province,” the letter states. Various Facebook videos are available below:
https://www.facebook.com/100064900005347/videos/pcb.1122841909889132/679930154865926
Senafront Marching to Chiriqui Grande, Bocas
https://www.facebook.com/reel/578071178355939
Humanitarian Airlift for Bocas del Toro
Starting this Saturday June 14, a humanitarian airlift was activated for the free transportation of people and goods by the National Aeronaval Service (Senan) to the province of Bocas del Toro. They detailed that these flights will depart from the Teniente Octavio Rodríguez Garrido Air Base in Panama Pacific, the Rubén Cantú Airport in Veraguas, and the Enrique Malek International Airport in Chiriquí. They will begin transporting people and goods free of charge to Isla Colón, Changuinola, and the Almirante sector.
Blockades Persist in Bocas del Toro Despite the Deployment of Operation Omega
Despite the efforts of security forces through Operation Omega, ground communications have not yet been restored at the 18 points that remain closed on the Chiriquí Grande and Almirante highways in the Bocas del Toro province. Police officers managed to open several points that were blocked by protesters who were throwing stones, fireworks, Molotov cocktails, and other blunt objects at them. Police were using heavy equipment to remove the large amount of trees and debris thrown by protesters.
Various Police Videos Below for Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/100064900005347/videos/pcb.1123396009833722/3713603085599008
https://www.facebook.com/100064900005347/videos/pcb.1123396009833722/1823130914931379
https://www.facebook.com/100064900005347/videos/pcb.1123396009833722/705152715602487
https://www.facebook.com/100064900005347/videos/pcb.1123396009833722/2087073301777619
https://www.facebook.com/100064900005347/videos/pcb.1123396009833722/739113205296495
https://www.facebook.com/100064900005347/videos/pcb.1123396009833722/709222358421726
For those with Facebook, you may be able to view these videos below by copying it and pasting them into your browser.
https://www.facebook.com/100064900005347/videos/pcb.1122841909889132/4069968936604656
https://www.facebook.com/100064900005347/videos/pcb.1122841909889132/1906636670138366
