Hello fellow PanamaForum members!

This week, the murder of a union leader led to violent protests and riots throughout Panama that left at least 14 police officers injured and more than 300 construction workers arrested:

“The demonstrations were part of a week-long, nationwide protest by the National Union of Construction Workers (SUNTRACS) that on Tuesday resulted in the death by gunfire of union leader Airomi Smith.

President Martin Torrijos on Friday called for ‘dialogue and tolerance,’ and said authorities were investigating Smith’s death, who was shot in the back by a police officer during a demonstration in Colon.

The workers are demanding higher wages, better safety regulations — they allege 25 workers fell to their death last year — and investigations into the death of another two SUNTRACS leaders killed last year.

A union leader […] hinted at a possible general strike by 80,000 workers that would affect 1,000 construction sites around the country.”

Fortunately, things have calmed down and at the time of writing (Saturday evening) the streets here in Panama City are calm and safe. However, there is still a general feeling of uneasiness luring about in the streets, and I hope that all parties involved come to a satisfactory solution quickly.

Be safe, take care, and enjoy Panama!

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    Nearly 300 protesters were arrested in Panama as construction workers clashed with police for the third day running over the shooting death of a fellow worker earlier this week. It was the latest in a series of clashes since the fatal shooting of a construction worker from the SUNTRACS union during a demonstration on Tuesday over safety conditions.