Tension at Plaza 5 de Mayo: Protests and Clashes in the Capital
This Wednesday afternoon, Plaza 5 de Mayo in Panama City became the scene of intense protests. Groups of demonstrators and crowd control units clashed for several hours, creating a situation of great tension in the center of the capital.
During the clashes, police used tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowd. For their part, some protesters threw objects and fireworks known as "bombitas" at security agents. These actions caused confusion and forced many citizens to quickly leave the area to avoid the effects of the gas.
As a result of these incidents, authorities reported the detention of several people involved in the disturbances. Although the exact number of arrests has not yet been confirmed, police maintain a strong presence around the square to prevent further clashes. According to reports, social unrest has caused these demonstrations to increase in recent days.
At the end of the day, traffic on nearby streets was seriously affected and many local businesses decided to close their doors for safety. Authorities are expected to present an official report on the material damage and the legal status of those detained, while the city attempts to gradually regain calm.