The general secretary of the Single Union of Workers in the Construction and Related Industries, Saul Mendez, denounced the arrest of union leaders intended to intimidate the struggle against the agreement signed by the government and the United States that promotes the establishment of military bases.

The struggle is also against the government’s intention to reopen a copper mine in Donoso (Colon province), despite a Supreme Court ruling ordering the closure of its operations, and in opposition to the construction of a reservoir on the Indio River for the Canal against the will of the region’s residents, he added.

The Panamanian Ministry of Education had announced that the pay of teachers protesting against Law 462 will be withhold, a measure that they claim is arbitrary.

Since April 23, public sector teachers have begun an indefinite strike, demanding the repeal of the law, which they believe affects workers and their families, privatizes Social Security Fund services, and hands over its funds to banks, while predicting miserable pensions, something unacceptable.

According to Fernando Abrego, the secretary general of the Panamanian Teachers Association, the strike will continue despite the intimidation and retaliation by the government of Jose Raul Mulino.

He announced that they will also demand the resignation of Lucy Molinar, the head of the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEDUCA).

The protesters have been carrying out actions for more than three weeks, including road closures like those in the town of Changuinola and a work stoppage in the banana sector, which have seriously impacted the economy.

This first attempt to initiate talks with the protesters and ease the tense climate of confrontation comes despite the fact that Jose Raul Mulino, the head of state, indicated in his weekly press conference last Thursday that he would refuse to discuss the insurance policy and the agreement with Washington.

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