Clashes and arrests at Plaza 5 de Mayo protests
This Wednesday afternoon, Plaza 5 de Mayo in Panama City was the scene of heavy clashes between protesters and the police. The protests, which have grown in recent days, generated moments of great tension in the center of the capital.
During the day, groups of protesters faced off against crowd control units, known as riot police. Officers used tear gas to disperse the crowd, while some protesters threw objects and pyrotechnic devices locally known as "bombitas."
As a result of these incidents, authorities reported several people detained. The situation in the plaza became chaotic due to the gas smoke and the noise of explosions, forcing many nearby citizens and merchants to leave the area for safety.
These demonstrations are part of a series of protests that continue to increase in the country. Citizens are expressing their discontent over various social and economic issues, which has led to an increase in police presence at strategic points in the city.
At the end of the day, traffic in the areas near Plaza 5 de Mayo was seriously affected. Although the situation calmed down by nightfall, organizing groups have indicated that the mobilizations could continue in the coming days if solutions to their demands are not found.