Anti government protests close streets

 Panama’s largest construction workers union (SUNTRACS) brought  parts of the city to a halt on Thursday, as they demonstrated against the policies of the Martinelli administration.

They caused traffic jams in the ares of 12 Octobre, but the biggest disruption was on Avenida Balboa and the Cinta Costera where for a period between 12 noon and one p.m. no traffic moved.

A few dozen workers waving flags and chanting anti government slogans, blocked both lanes of Avenida Balboa near the unfinished Yacht Club tower and opposite a National Police office on the Cinta Costera.

Snarled traffic was backed up past Parque Urraca to Paitilla and beyond.

Some drivers, led by a diablo rojo driver, took the law into their own hands and drove along an exit ramp to travel along Cinta Costera opposite the normal traffic flow towards, the fish market. Their move coincided with the restarting of traffic heading towards Paitilla.

Two SUV’s took off across the grass and along the side walks to try to bypass the blockage, and were greeted with angy shouts by the demonstrators. A senior police officer arrived a few minutes later

The demonstration ended soon after 1 p.m.

The photo Album "Balboa Shutdown" tells  the story (click here to view it).