Award-winning Panama star backs protests against impunity, corruption

Award winning Panamanian singer-songwriter actor  and former cabinet member Rubén Blades has thrown his support behind youth protesting  against “the attitude and actions of deputies” of the National Assembly

Discussing constitutional reforms promoted by the Executive that, said the artist, never reached the necessary to bring down corruption in the country.

“The recent demonstrations in Panama, protesting the attitude and actions of deputies of our National Assembly, offer hope for those who await the national civic renaissance,” said the former Minister of Tourism.

In a message published on his social networks, creator author and interpreter of salsa classics such as “Pedro Navaja”, said that the recent demonstrations seem to indicate that “finally The patience of Panamanian civil society has run out”.

Since last week there have been street protests in Panama City against constitutional reforms discussed in the National Assembly, with over a hundred detainees on Wednesday and Thursday.

The protests were unleashed after the Assembly, by a  large official majority, added to the reform package presented by the Government of Laurentino Cortizo initiatives that affected public universities, the contents of traditional media and social networks, marriage, and they even extend the powers of the legislature

Blades said that impunity and corruption are “encouraged by the prevailing legal system” with the “assistance and tolerance of all traditional political parties.”