Hungry protestors take to streets, block highways

There have been over  25 road closures  across the country in recent days over  lack of money to buy food and the non-arrival  of promised food bags and spending vouchers

On, Wednesday, April 29  the Inter-American highway at Loma Cová, Arraiján, became a focal point as residents of Valle del Sol, La Cascada, La Paz, and La Nubes, closed the four lanes for several hours. They demanded the delivery of vouchers and food bags of the Panama Solidarity plan.

They said that on  Tuesday they brought them 500 bags of food, but that more than 5,000 people live in the area.

They banged pots and screamed that they needed to be taken care of.

The same scene was repeated, in San Miguelito, where residents closed the access roads to the area. They demanded the delivery of the food bags and Roads were  closed in December 24, the  Transítmica highway in  Pedregal – Gonzalillo r known as the “corridor for the poor.”  Where they complained that they had “two weeks” with not to eat.

There were also complaints in Torrijos Carter,. In Rana De Oro, and Montería, sectors La Valdesa in La Chorrera, and  Panamá Oeste.

In  Colón protesters blocked the Panama-Colón highway near Puerto Escondido.

The scene of all the protests was similar: burning of tires, posters with anti-government slogans, and screaming. Some wore balaclavas in red or black. National Police tried  to try to restore calm but were largely reopen the tracks.

On  Tuesday, Panama Solidario was debated in Panama’s  Municipal Council. Bella Vista, rep.,  Ricardo Domínguez, said  that the system of delivery of vouchers and bags of food coordinated by the Ministry of Social Development, has not been “the most effective”.

Yoira Perea, the representative of Chilibre, alleged that due to the size of some townships where up to 28,000 people live, the community boards do not have the physical capacity to make deliveries at the speed required.

However, reports La Prensa, there are voices that argue that although there are legitimate demonstrations that are born from the need of the people for food and work in the midst of the health crisis, it is not ruled out that some protests are motivated by political interests.

Some deputies) have appeared in the company of the protesters. “They do not want to pay attention and my people can no longer take it anymore,” wrote controversial, pugilistic Colón deputy Jairo Bolota Salazar on his Instagram account.