The Crew of the Vessel N-35 Detained in Venezuela will be assisted by the Panama Government

Panama has initiated efforts to safeguard the labor rights of the nine crew members of the Panamanian-flagged vessel N35, which was detained by the Venezuelan Navy on June 13.  This was reported by the General Directorate of Seafarers (DGGM) of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) in a statement.  The agency stated that it has demanded that the ship’s owners fulfill their responsibilities to the crew, which includes a Panamanian citizen.  The DGGM’s Maritime Labor Affairs Department also arranged a courtesy meeting so the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could attend to the family of the detained Panamanian crew member, as well as to the national coordinator of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), Vladimir Small Ortiz. 

“The information obtained so far by the AMP comes from the vessel’s operators, who have confirmed that the arrested crew has received legal assistance. This has been possible following the reestablishment of consular relations between Venezuela and Panama, which was formalized on June 19 and will take effect this week, when the personnel return to their duties,” the agency stated.  The AMP added that, with the normalization of diplomatic ties, it hopes to obtain official information on the crew members’ legal status and the legal proceedings they face.  “As the vessel’s flag state, the Republic of Panama is committed to ensuring compliance with national and international regulations that protect the labor and social rights of all seafarers on board the N35,” the institution emphasized.