Agreement between indigenous people and government releases a section of blocked roads in Panama

First modification: 07/17/2022 – 17:48Last modification: 07/17/2022 – 17:47

“The National Government together with representatives of the Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca and peasants, agreed on the price of 3.30 dollars per gallon [3,78 litros] of fuel” for the entire country, said the presidency, which released images of the signing of the agreement in a local Catholic Church in the district of San Félix, province of Chiriquí, in the far west of the country.

Most of Panama’s fresh food is produced in Chiriquí, and the closure of the province complicated supply in the country. The agreement is for three renewable months and also contemplates continuing to negotiate reductions in the basic food basket and medicines.

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The Ministry of Public Security released images of the release of roads in that part of the territory. However, most of the protests on the Pan-American highway, which connects Panama with the mainland, continue.

A government delegation and representatives of citizen groups and trade unions restarted the negotiations in a school in Santiago de Veraguas, 250 km southwest of Panama City and where there is a major road blockade with trailer trucks.

“We ask all the parties that today we can reach agreements and, above all, clear the roads,” the Panamanian Ombudsman, Eduardo Leblanc, who was present at the negotiations, told reporters this Sunday.

The day before, both parties agreed to lower the initial price offered by the government from $3.95 per gallon (which had already been lowered from $5.20) to $3.32. But the representatives of the protesters refused to reopen the routes until the prices of some forty products and medicines are also cut.

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In Santiago de Veraguas, a protester confirmed that everything remains closed “peacefully”, pending news of agreements.

Meanwhile, in Capira, closer to Panama City, the cut was also maintained. “We continue in the fight. This Sunday talks are being held at the negotiating table on medicines and food,” agricultural producer Juan Morales said by telephone.

The discontent occurs in a scenario of 4.2% year-on-year inflation registered in May, an unemployment rate of around 10% and an increase in fuel prices of 47% since the beginning of the year.

The protests have generated fuel and food shortages in several areas of the country, in addition to millionaire losses.