Panama: National dialogue and transport paralyzed by protests
Panama is experiencing a day of high tension with protests that have paralyzed transportation to the interior and clashes in the capital. The National Government has called for a dialogue table to seek solutions, while registrations for fuel subsidies are being enabled and transparency is demanded in high-profile judicial processes.
The National Government called on organized groups for a dialogue this Thursday, July 14, at 3:00 p.m. at the City of Knowledge, a campus that houses international and academic organizations. The Catholic Church will act as a mediator to seek consensus following the intensification of demonstrations across the country. The United Nations (UN) in Panama also urged authorities to find effective solutions to restore calm.
The situation on the streets has become critical. In the capital's Plaza 5 de Mayo, clashes were recorded between protesters and anti-riot units, who used tear gas, resulting in several arrests. Additionally, the Albrook Transport Terminal reported that most routes to the interior, especially from Chame to Chiriquí, remain paralyzed due to road closures at various points across the national territory.
In the economic sphere, the administrator of the Government Innovation Authority (AIG), Luis Oliva, provided details regarding the registration for "Solidarity Fuel." This is a state subsidy program designed to alleviate the cost of gasoline; interested citizens must complete a form on the official platform to access the benefit.
On the other hand, various journalistic guilds, including the National Council of Journalism and the Journalists' Forum, requested that the Odebrecht case hearing be public. Odebrecht is a large-scale judicial process for corruption involving a Brazilian construction company. Media professionals argue that transparency and accountability are fundamental in the face of the public outcry for justice.
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