State of emergency: What's behind the pension protests in Panama's northwestern province? | DW News

Panama has declared a state of emergency in a poor, western province, after weeks of protests over pension reforms which would require workers to pay higher contributions for fewer benefits. In response to the pension strikes, Panama’s Congress enacted a new law in the banana sector last week designed to protect worker’s benefits such as medical assistance. On Thursday and Friday, rioters and masked individuals - presumably not related to the pension reform movement - forced their way into Changuinola airport, set fire to a local baseball stadium, and damaged the closed Chiquita factory, leading to the government’s decision to temporarily suspend constitutional protections in the province. The recently declared state of emergency allows police to make arrests without a warrant and greatly restricts freedom of movement.

Chapter Breakdown:
0:00 Protesters impose roadblocks in month-long protests against protest reforms in Panama's banana sector
1:37 Nivia Castrellon, Former Deputy Foreign Minister of Panama, on whether the government's response to protests has been proportionate

#chiquita #banana #panama

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Post from DW News on June 21, 2025

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