Panama declares emergency over banana region unrest
Panama declared an emergency in the main banana -producing region after the shops were looted and the buildings were destroyed in the ongoing protests on retirement reform.
The government said that constitutional rights would be suspended in the northwest Bocas Del Toro province for the next five days.
The measure restricts the freedom of movement and allows the police to arrest without orders.
The problems in the region began a month ago when the local Banana Workers Association participated in a country -wide protest against the proposed pension deductions and declared strikes.
“In the face of the deterioration of order and systematic violence actions, the state will implement its constitutional duty to guarantee peace,” Presidential Minister Juan Carlos Orillac said. He said.
The measure added that the radicals would allow “to save the province”.
Protests in Latin American country exploded in March on pension reform.
In Bocas del Toro, unrest was largely ruled by workers under a banana plantation of a Chiquita brand.
The conflict increased last month after the company dismissed thousands of striking employees.
Protesters establish barricades in the state and often clash with the police.
At the beginning of this week, the crowds damaged one of the facilities of Chiquita Brands and a local airport.
