With huge trucks or barricades where neighbors sleep and even dance, highways Panamerican in Panama remained locked down this Friday while the government and unions negotiate despite citizens’ demands that the authorities lower the prices of fuel, food and medicine.
FROM Panama City to the west, along the highway connecting the country with Central Americathere are at least a dozen roadblocks that prevent the flow of supplies not only to the capital, but also to the provinces.
AT Santiago de Veraguas, about 250 kilometers from the capital, the road is blocked by rows of trucks. Night falls, and the drivers gather in a common pot, which is prepared by the neighbors.
“This fight belongs to all Panamanians on foot for fuel, the main basket, medicines,” he explained. Edward Arroyodeputy head of the district Watch towerin Veraguas.
“We have shown that we, the poor, are bigger. We have already been beaten too much, the change of power, the change of power, but the poor, as always, have been forgotten,” he added.
Protests in Panama continue amid uncertainty due to economic crisis | Font: Ivan PISARENKO / AFPTV / AFP | Photographer: ROGELIO FIGUEROA
Entry into Santiagonew barricade, this time root Ngabe Bugle, block movement. They dance to lessen the wait.
“Here, in the city of Santiago, for the first time you see how people Ngabe Bugle settles [en las protestas] and accompanied by residents of neighboring settlements”, Professor Yadira Pine.
Panorama in Panama
Panama, with a population of 4.2 million, is facing one of its worst social crises since the fall of the General’s military dictatorship. Manuel Antonio Noriega after the US invasion.
Dissatisfaction arises with a 4.2% y/y inflation scenario recorded in May, an unemployment rate of around 10% and a 47% year-to-date increase in fuel prices.
Despite a dollarized economy, strong economic growth and more than $2 billion a year from Panama Canalthe country has one of the highest levels of inequality in the world.
“AT Panama, With a channel that generates billions every year, it is impossible to understand or accept that the poverty rate is still 20% of the population,” Pino commented.
– A lack of –
Chiriqui province bordering Costa Rica, it is the orchard of the country. The vast majority of legumes, vegetables, potatoes and vegetables that are common in Panama.
But because of the protests, the products “have not been able to get to where they need to go to supply all national markets,” the city’s mayor warned AFP. Javier Pitti.
He also noted that there is a shortage of fuel. “The country is completely short of supplies,” and daily casualties are “in the millions,” Pitty added.
In an attempt to calm the situation, the President of Panama Laurentino Cortisoannounced this week a cut and freeze in fuel prices, which went from $5.17 a gallon of gasoline (3.78 liters) to $3.95 as of this Friday, and a dozen more products.
However, unions reject these measures as insufficient.
On Friday, the government and groups promoting the protests resumed dialogue in Santiagoaccording to Ombudsman for the People of Panamawho acts as an intermediary.
The day before, the leader of the Social Democrats laid another negotiating table in Panama Citythrough the mediation of the Catholic Church, but did not participate in the unions.
“I have no doubt that with sincere dialogue, without a dual agenda, we can keep moving forward,” Cortiso said on Thursday, calling the roadblocks “illogical.”
“Even the rain can’t stop us”
Marches are also against corruption and the waste of power in the midst of a crisis.
Mitzila Hanis41-year-old housewife, yells about the laziness of her authorities: “Politicians are the biggest thieves there can be.”
AT sweet waterprovince of Cocle, locals maintain another barricade, enduring the downpour under umbrellas.
“Even the rain doesn’t stop us (…) We are desperate, Panama can’t take it anymore,” said Nelly Haen, a 63-year-old housewife.
Panama: concentration
AT Panama City the main streets were also cut. However, the inter-oceanic channel is fully operational.
“People need and ask to be heard because the traditional institutions of representation don’t work,” he told AFP. harrybrown, Director of the International Center Political and social studies.
“This generation has not experienced a crisis of the magnitude that is engulfing our country today” because there is an accumulation of “unmet needs” and a “clear deterioration” in living conditions, former Panamanian President Martin warned this Friday. 2004-2009).
(According to AFP)
Source: RPP
I’m Liza Grey, an experienced news writer and author at the Buna Times. I specialize in writing about economic issues, with a focus on uncovering stories that have a positive impact on society. With over seven years of experience in the news industry, I am highly knowledgeable about current events and the ways in which they affect our daily lives.