Panama has declared an emergency in its main banana-producing region, after shops were looted and buildings vandalised in ongoing protests over a pension reform. The government says constitutional rights will be suspended for the next five days in the north-western Bocas del Toro province. The measure restricts freedom of movement and allows the police to make arrests without a warrant. Troubles in the region began a month ago, when the local banana workers union joined a nationwide protest against proposed pension cuts and declared a strike. "In the face of the disruption of order and acts of systematic violence, the state will enforce its constitutional mandate to guarantee peace," said Juan Carlos Orillac, minister of the presidency. The measure, he added, would allow to "rescue the province" from radicals. Protests across the Latin American nation erupted back in March over the pension reform. In Bocas del Toro, the unrest has been largely led by workers at a Chiquita Brands banana plantation. The confrontation escalated last month after the company sacked thousands of striking employees. Protesters have been setting up roadblocks in the province, often clashing with police. Earlier this week, crowds damaged one of Chiquita Brands' facilities as well as a local airport.
Panama declares emergency over banana region unrest
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"Panama Declares State of Emergency Amid Protests Over Pension Reforms"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Panama has declared a state of emergency in the Bocas del Toro province, which is the country's primary banana-producing area, due to escalating unrest linked to protests over proposed pension reforms. The government announced that constitutional rights would be suspended for five days in the region, limiting freedom of movement and granting police the authority to make arrests without warrants. This decision was prompted by significant public disorder, including looting of shops and vandalism of buildings, as protesters expressed their dissatisfaction with the government's pension reform plans. Juan Carlos Orillac, the minister of the presidency, emphasized that the state would take necessary measures to restore peace and order, characterizing the actions of those involved in the protests as radical. The situation has been tense since the banana workers union joined a nationwide movement opposing pension cuts, leading to a strike that has intensified over the past month.
The unrest in Bocas del Toro has been particularly pronounced, with workers from a Chiquita Brands banana plantation playing a leading role in the demonstrations. Tensions escalated when the company dismissed thousands of striking employees, further inflaming the protests. In response to the unrest, protesters have set up roadblocks throughout the province and have engaged in violent confrontations with police forces. The protests are part of a broader wave of discontent in Panama that began in March, with citizens expressing their anger over the government's pension reform proposals. Recently, protesters have targeted Chiquita Brands' facilities, causing damage, and have also disrupted operations at a local airport. The government's emergency measures aim to quell the violence and restore order in a region that is vital to Panama's economy, particularly regarding its banana exports.
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