Chamber of commerce decries Venezuelan cutting of ties

PANAMA’S Chamber of Commerce has expressed its concern over the decision by Venezuela to break relations with Panama.

"We reject the Venezuelan government's intransigence, as well as the epithets used to refer to the ´president of a country which asks simply that it resolves the situation through legal channels and dialogue," said Chamber President José Luis Ford.

He said that despite the fact that the government of Venezuela was elected in a democratic manner, it should not be allowed to "repress its citizens who have expressed that they do not share its ideology."
The decision is expected to impact businesses in the Colón Free Zone which have ties to Venezuela and airline flights to that country.
Ford said that he hopes the decision "does not further affect our economy or restrict opportunities for Venzuelans