Government  bends to nationwide unrest and calls worktable

The National Government has bowed to nationwide protests and convened a worktable to address the high cost of fuel, which impacts the cost of the basic food basket. The first meeting will take place on Monday, July 11 in Santiago, Veraguas province.

The weekend closures on the Inter-American highway caused losses estimated at approximately $45 million.

Felipe Rodríguez, president of the Chiriquí Chamber of Commerce, said that between 5,000 and 6,000 trucks with perishable food, dairy, fuel, and other products were trapped on the highway and called on the government to negotiate as soon as possible.

On  Saturday, the Association of Doctors, Dentists of the Social Security Fund, together with other health professionals, announced a work stoppage if in 48 hours the Government does not take action.

The epicenter of citizen outcry and protests this weekend was the Inter-American highway, in the section in the province of Chiriquí, where points such as Ojo de Agua, Viguí, Tolé, Salado, San Félix, San Juan, and Horconcito remained closed. by protesters on Friday and Saturday.

On one side were the teachers, indigenous groups, and parents’ associations, who demanded the presence of the Government and a response to their clamor. On the other, hundreds of drivers trapped in the roadblock some trapped for two days ready  to clash with the demonstrators

Meanwhile, doctors warned: “if negotiation of the demands of the sectors are not fulfilled, we call on all doctors, dentists, interns and residents, as well as all health sector workers, to join a great national stoppage of 48 hours that can be extended,”

In addition, they specified that on Monday, July 11, demonstrations will be held at noon and that they will participate in a march on July 12, with Porras Park as its starting point and the route will be to the Presidency.

Educator, Amarilis Pérez, who was in the Tolé area told La Prensa they have no other alternative to be heard by the authorities than to close the roads.

He stressed that the fight is not only for the benefit of the indigenous sector but also for the rest of the country that has been harmed by the rise in fuel and the high price of food.

He demanded that the Government install a high-level table in which concrete proposals are presented to solve these problems. “We don’t want any more promises,” he said.

 Ricardo Miranda, president of the Ngäbe Buglé Youth Council, stressed that there were not only educators; young people, and parents also closed some seven points of the highway.