Protests and violent clashes at Panama's Plaza 5 de Mayo
On Wednesday afternoon, Plaza 5 de Mayo in Panama City was the scene of intense protests. Various groups of demonstrators gathered at this central point in the capital to express their discontent, but the situation turned violent when clashes with security forces began.
During the day, crowd control units, known as riot police, intervened to try to disperse the crowd. Officers used tear gas, while some protesters responded by throwing objects and fireworks, known locally as "bombitas." The use of these items created moments of great tension and confusion in the area.
As a result of the riots, authorities reported the arrest of several people involved in the altercations. The smoke from the gas and the noise of the explosions affected not only the participants but also pedestrians and merchants who were near the plaza at the time.
Traffic on the main avenues connecting to Plaza 5 de Mayo was seriously disrupted for several hours. Many citizens had to find alternative routes to return home, while police maintained a strong presence in the area to prevent further incidents.
Finally, the atmosphere in the capital remains under surveillance after an afternoon of chaos. Although the situation calmed down by nightfall, these demonstrations reflect a climate of social tension that remains present in the country. Authorities are expected to provide an official report on the total number of detainees and material damage in the coming hours.