Bocas del Toro in Panama Reported More Than 300 Arrests in Violent Protests

More than 300 people were arrested and 14 Panamanian Public Force (FP) agents were injured, numerous damages to state facilities, vandalism and looting of businesses are the result of the violent protests in the province of Bocas del Toro, the main banana-growing region of the country, against a reform to the current social security system, the Government reported this Monday (06/23/2025).  Most of these people were arrested for their involvement in the looting that took place in Changuinola, Bocas del Toro, during these demonstrations. According to authorities, about 90 of them were gang members. 

Changuinola was the area where the “escalation of violence” that led to the protests escalated the most, and it has now somewhat subsided, according to the report released today by authorities on the results of the ninth day of the police operation “Omega.”  A total of 2,500 FP officers have been deployed so far in this operation to restore order in Bocas del Toro, where a “state of emergency” was declared by President José Raúl Mulino to stem the escalating violence.  The report provided by the director of the National Police, Jaime Fernández, highlights that to date, “a total of 304 people have been arrested since June 14: 286 adults and 18 minors.” 

In these “conflicts,” 14 police officers have been injured, and many injuries among the participants in the demonstrations and acts of violence in Bocas del Toro along with one death. Fernández explained that more than 13 state structures and 20 businesses were significantly damaged, in addition to nearly 50 vehicles being “vandalized or burned.”  Bocas del Toro is the most critical expression of the union conflict over social security reform, which involves a public sector teachers’ strike that began on April 23 and has continued throughout.

Protests in Panama: What’s Happening in Bocas del Toro and Why?

In recent weeks, the Panamanian province of Bocas del Toro has become the epicenter of one of the deepest social crises the country has faced in recent years. What began as a protest against a pension reform, turned into massive strikes, roadblocks, looting, police repression, and the suspension of constitutional guarantees.

The Spark: Pension Reform

It all began with the approval of Law 462 in March 2025. The government of José Raúl Mulino presented it as an urgent measure to address the growing deficit of the Disability, Old Age, and Death (IVM) program, one of the pillars of the Panamanian pension system. According to the executive branch, the fund is facing a financial deficit of more than $650 million and requires structural reforms to prevent its collapse.  The new regulations establish a system of individual accounts , in which each worker will have an account managed by financial institutions. For unions, this represents a covert privatization of social security, eliminates solidarity between generations, and leaves workers’ savings exposed to financial market volatility.  The law was also criticized for being passed without an independent actuarial study or a broad consultation process with social sectors. Legal and social security experts have warned that it could violate constitutional principles by weakening vested rights.

The Other Front: The Strike at Chiquita

As the controversy surrounding the reform grew nationwide, banana workers in Bocas del Toro began an indefinite strike. On April 28, hundreds of Chiquita Brands employees in Changuinola suspended work in protest of Law 462 and to demand better wages, more dignified working conditions, and social security guarantees.  The company deemed the strike illegal and proceeded to lay off workers en masse for “abandonment of work.” According to the unions, more than 5,000 people were laid off. Chiquita reported losses exceeding $75 million. 

The conflict escalated with blockades on the main access roads to the province. The roads to Almirante, Changuinola, and Guabito were completely paralyzed. The transportation of food, fuel, and medicine was reduced by 90%, leading to shortages, rising prices, and significant losses for producers and merchants. Chiquita’s facilities were looted. Additionally, according to official sources, protesters partially set fire to a soccer stadium and entered the local airport, where they smashed windows, damaged vehicles, and attempted to steal equipment from the administrative offices.

The Government’s Reaction

Given the seriousness of the situation, the government formed a High-Level Commission, launched an airlift to send supplies to the most affected areas, and, on June 20, decreed the suspension of constitutional guarantees in Bocas del Toro . The measure restricted fundamental rights such as the right to assembly, freedom of movement, and demonstration.  Security Minister Frank Abrego announced the deployment of more than 2,500 police officers to restore order.  President Mulino suspended an official trip to Europe, convened a roundtable discussion with religious mediators, and expressed his willingness to discuss specific legislation for the banana sector. However, he reiterated that the pension reform will not be withdrawn.  The protests have left at least one dead, more than 300 people arrested, and dozens injured, including 14 police officers. Authorities blame “criminal gangs” and “gang members” for the violence.  On June 21, as part of the state of emergency, internet and mobile phone access were temporarily suspended throughout the province.

An Uncertain Exit

Although some blockades have been lifted, tensions persist. Schools remain closed, and Changuinola Airport remains closed.  For now, dialogue between the government and the unions is progressing slowly and without concrete results. “We managed to somehow take control of the situation,” and the damage from the protests and looting “has ceased,” although “a threat remains,” said police director Jaime Fernández.

Protests are Devastating Tourism on Isla Colón with Hotels and Businesses Struggling to Survive

Business Owners and Workers Share their Views on the Crisis Caused by Law 462 and the Closures

An American tourist arrives at a Creole restaurant, looks at the menu, and asks Mrs. Roselis, the restaurant manager, for some pancakes for lunch. That might sound like an odd request for a restaurant, but not on Isla Colón, whose main economic and social dynamic revolves around tourism.  Located in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, the paradise island is a famous party and beach destination, which is now suffering the consequences of the crisis unleashed after the approval of Law 462, which reforms the Social Security Fund (CSS).  Roselis explains to reporters that, from the ten employees they had at the restaurant—owned by another American who does not live in Panama—they now have four.

The pandemic was the first wound from which the island has not recovered; then came the long-standing problems of drinking water, sewage, and other lethargies that, contradictorily, have yet to be resolved, despite the tourism boom that is forcing improvements to the service infrastructure.  As it turned out, Roselis says with a sigh, the strike over Law 462 complicated everything. Getting vegetables, meat, or cooking oil has become an ordeal that costs twice as much due to speculation stemming from the shortage, which worsened with the authorities’ suspension of traffic through the ports of Almirante and Chiriquí Grande due to the closures. 

“The strike and closures hit us hard, now these police measures. I understand, we need to restore order, but why not use another way to solve this?” demands the 69-year-old woman, who has been the restaurant’s manager for 21 of her years.  For businessman and president of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago Chamber of Commerce, Manuel Sanjur, the goal is to resolve the issue quickly and without ruling out the possibility of force. “There’s a lot of misinformation out there; these are people trapped in the TikTok culture, believing the first thing they see on social media. Furthermore, whoever shuts down should be subject to the full force of the law,” he said.

Affectation

Amid the impact of the protests, Juan Pablo Caro, president of the Bocas del Toro Chamber of Tourism (Camturbo), told this outlet that “most hotels and lodging areas are between 10% and 20% occupancy, and the declaration of a state of emergency in the area has led to the cancellation of many reservations, which represents a major problem for us.”  Caro commented that the more than 115 lodging establishments in the area are concerned about the future of the industry in Bocas del Toro, which has a long history of tourism.  He emphasized that restaurants and other sectors are down 80%, and that’s not sustainable because the numbers are in the red. “People talk about the jobs being lost at Chiquita Panama, but if something isn’t done about this, many more jobs will be lost,” he added. 

Gloria De León, director of the Panama Tourism Authority, commented in a video that they are working together with various institutions to help Bocas del Toro, especially Isla Colón.  To this end, she said, they are analyzing the creation of a maritime corridor connecting Colón and Isla Colón, in collaboration with the National Border Service and the Ministry of Security, to supply the island’s businesses.  “We are analyzing the possibility of creating an air bridge between Puerto Limón and Isla Colón, although it is still in the coordination process,” added the head of the ATP.  The official emphasized that most tourists arriving on the island do so by land, so alternative transportation routes are being analyzed.

“We are studying the possibility of connecting Puerto Viejo and Isla Colón by water,” she revealed.  “We’re trying to sort everything out in the coming days. We hope to finalize this, by this week,” she said.  Regarding the tourist packages, the ATP chief said they are part of the “Try your own” campaign to stimulate domestic tourism. “These packages will combine Panamanian airlines and hotels with activities on Isla Colón,” she indicated.  “We are in direct coordination with Bocas del Toro business owners and businesses to seek immediate, short, medium, and long-term solutions for that region. We are listening to them and are willing to take the necessary measures to keep Bocas del Toro on the menu of source markets, because it is a very important destination,” she concluded.

Midpoint

On June 14, the government authorized Operation Omega, a massive police deployment by land, air, and sea to forcefully break the roadblocks across the province. Despite this offensive on land, the roadblocks persist. Teachers and Indigenous people are the main figures in these protests, calling for the law’s repeal. But President José Raúl Mulino has been adamant: Law 462 will not be revised or repealed, leaving little room for reconciliation.  Meanwhile, on the island, Ernesto, 28, thinks there needs to be a middle ground in all this. “The ferry with food isn’t arriving, and two of the three companies building on the island have already left their workers at home. 

“This can’t be resisted. If this doesn’t end with force, we should open a debate on Thursday when the president speaks and explain the law to correct what we don’t like,” emphasizes the worker born in Isla Colón, who didn’t finish primary school after becoming a father at 16.  Ernesto recalls that simple tasks such as withdrawing money from an ATM when cash is scarce or getting fuel have become an increasingly pressing problem.  Meanwhile, large hotels in the area have been forced to reduce their staff due to a drop in demand. Some hotels with 70 rooms, at this time of year (low season) should have at least 40 reservations, but now, have only five.  Lorenzo is the manager of one of the larger hotels, meaning he has enough capital to weather the crisis for a short time, but he’s taking measures nonetheless.

“We’ve decided to ration the gas, and I have a chef who took four hours to get to his post, even though it’s a 30-minute commute,” he said.  He believes that the protesters are unaware of the law, although he does not rule out seeking a negotiated solution.  Ángel, a micro-entrepreneur with a Creole food business, sees the problem as a matter of willpower, which seems unconscionable. “I have to pay bills and resolve issues. I don’t agree with Law 462, but the closures are affecting my business. If we have to talk, I don’t know what we’re waiting for.”  The government has insisted that Law 462 will not be repealed, while protest groups are calling for a forum to review the law with the mediation of the Catholic Church. For now, in Bocas del Toro, a region marked by deep inequalities, dialogue still seems a long way off.

Mrs. Roselis, the restaurant manager said: The strike and lockdowns hit us hard, now these police measures. I understand, we need to restore order, but why not use another avenue to resolve this?

Manuel Sanjur President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago says” There’s a lot of misinformation out there; these are people trapped in TikTok culture, believing the first thing they see on social media. Furthermore, anyone who shuts it down should be prosecuted.