The government of Panama has announced a state of emergency in its main banana-producing area, after shops were looted and buildings were vandalized during ongoing protests over a pension reform.
For the next five days, constitutional rights will be suspended in the northwest province of Bocas del Toro. The measure prohibits freedom of movement and allows the police to make arrests without a warrant.
Troubles in the region initiated a month ago, when the local banana workers’ union participated in a nationwide protest against proposed pension cuts and initiated a strike.
“In the face of the disruption of order and acts of systematic violence, the state will enforce its constitutional mandate to guarantee peace,” stated Juan Carlos Orillac, the minister of the presidency. He added that the measure will “rescue the province” from radicals.
Protests against the pension reform began across the Latin American nation in March. In Bocas del Toro, the unrest has primarily been led by workers at a Chiquita Brands banana plantation. The situation escalated last month when the company fired thousands of striking employees.
Protesters have been setting up roadblocks in the province, frequently clashing with the police. Earlier this week, crowds damaged a Chiquita Brands facility and a local airport.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cql0r430qglo
