Church tries to act as protests mediator after road battles

The determination of Panama’s indigenous population, government and protestor intransigence, broken promises and violence arising out of attempts by riot police to break road blocks are causing havoc on Panama’s major arterial roadway.

Church authorities are attempting to create a dialog between indigenous groups who are demanding the repeal of a law,  changing  the country’s mining code.
Meanwhile transport drivers and motorists have been stuck for as long as 36 hours on the Pan American Highway between Chiriqui and Veraguas, with some setting up makeshift barbecues by the roadside, and others trying to walk to nearby towns to purchase vanishing food supplies.
The appearance of riot police using tear gas and buckshot turned what witnesses had described as a peaceful if messy protest into a confrontation with Indians hurling rocks and stones at the riot police.
At one stage the Ngäbe Bugle announced a one hour lifting of the blockade to allow vehicles to pass, but they re-imposed it when a government 4 x 4 attempted to take advantage.
The vehicle with three people inside was detained.
Alberto Montezuma, one of the leaders described the attempt of an official vehicle to pass through as “disrespect” after the police crackdown on protestors injuring many and arresting others. He said the area would remain closed until authorities agreed to talk.
Meanwhile The bishop of the diocese of David and the Panamanian Episcopal Conference, José Luis Lacunza, called for an easing of the blockade, not for the government but for drivers stranded on the highway, and because children were affected.
Lacunza said the church wanted to act as a mediator in the conflict and asked the Indians to do their part in order to achieve a rapprochement.
He said he was in direct contact with two priests who were with the indigenous leaders so they can convince them to go to talk, but the Government refuses to talk to the Indian Coordinator and President, Ricardo Martinelli, repeated that politicians and environmentalists are behind the protests.
La Prensa said that thousands of people, adults, children and the elderly, both domestic and foreign, are affected by the conflict and the log jams stretch for many kilometers on both sides of the blocks.
The Ngäbe Bugle Comarca, says they will , not reopen the road until, Ricardo Martinelli, or a "high authority" of his government take care of them.
Closing of the American way, driven by Indians who reject amendments to the Code of
On Sunday evening indigenous leaders awaited the arrival of Vice President and Foreign Minister, Juan Carlos Varela, and Minister of the Presidency, Demetrio Papadimitriu to try to find a solution..
Despite the promise made by Papadimitriu, about repression of protests, hundreds of riot police broke the blockades on the Highway in Veraguas and Chiriqui, with at least 12 indigenous persons wounded by shot, 14 arrested, and several people affected by tear gas. The indigenous groups including many women, regained control.