The Major Events Of Tuesday
Noon: The National Police denied yesterday, both via their Twitter account and in the media, the use of standard issue regulation weapons by the riot control units who were fighting with the protesting Indians who had closed the Inter American highway in San Felix, Chiriqui. However, photographs published on Monday by the newspaper La Estrella reveal otherwise.
In these images, one police officer can be seen using his standard issue police weapon, what appears to be clear evidence of the allegations being made by many Indians and residents in the area, who denounced the use of weapons.
Don Winner (Panama Guide) adds: This cop has his semi auto weapon concealed in his belt in the lower part of his back, because he isn't supposed to have it. He's not wearing a standard leg holster, which sort of indicates to me he very well might have made the decision to bring this weapon on his own. (It is also important to note that) the protesters were using shotguns and hunting rifles in San Felix yesterday.
3:00pm Talks between the members of the Coordinating Committee for the Defense of Natural Resources Defense and the Rights of the Ngäbe-Bugle People and a delegation from the government resumed at 3:10 pm this afternoon. The two sides are meeting at the Instituto Profesional y Técnico Abel Tapiero Miranda in San Lorenzo, Chiriqui. The participants called for a recess at 1:40 pm for lunch, and they were requested not to give statements to the media about the talks that are taking place behind closed doors, with the mediation of the bishop of David, Jose Luis Lacunza. According to sources closes to the dialogue, there is a good atmosphere in the negotiations that began after the closure of the Inter-American Highway, which was blocked for six days, and the clearing the way by riot control officers of the National Police which resulted in one killed and 39 wounded. (Prensa)
4:00pm During the march of the Indians, police officers guarded the Super 99 supermarkets in Balboa, Rio Abajo, and there was a bus full of police officers stationed in front of the Super 99 store located on Via Fernández de Córdoba in Vista Hermosa. Similarly, the Super 99 in Plaza Carolina, Juan Diaz, was also guarded by Panamanian police.
At the Super 99 supermarket in Balboa there were 41 police officers present, who formed a human wall in front of the supermarket. Yesterday the door of the Super 99 supermarket in Calidonia was battered by the indigenous protesters from the May 5 Plaza, who are against mining. (Panama America)
Larry notes: What makes this story ‘news worthy’ is that President Martinelli is the CEO of the Super 99 supermarket chain.
6:00pm By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - The meetings between the government commission, comprised of Ministers and Deputies from the National Assembly, and the members of the Coordinating Committee for the Defense of Natural Resources Defense and the Rights of the Ngäbe-Bugle People, could possibly result in an agreement this afternoon. So far there have been three drafts of an agreement written. Earlier president Ricardo Martinelli said via his Twitter account "we totally support the executive commission that is in talks with the national coordinator, the church, and the assembly," as a way of signaling that he's willing to accept whatever they come up with in the meetings………….The most important element for the protesting Indians will be guarantees that there will be no mining in the comarca. I expect they will eventually drop the part about hydroelectric projects, or at least accept those concessions which have already been granted. And of course the government will keep the Inmet and Petaquilla mines off limits for these talks, because those projects represent billions of dollars of income for the state. The rest will be details, and then it will be over. Well, except for all of the non-stop baseless criticism that will be leveled at the government of Ricardo Martinelli by the opposition political operatives, because that's simply "what they do."
7:00pm Emergency Message from the U.S. Embassy: The State Department alerts U.S. citizens of the risks of travel along the Pan-American Highway in western Panama and other parts of the country at this time.
UPDATE: The two sides are in negotiations to end the protests and the Pan American Highway was open as of February 7. The overall situation has led to numerous protest marches and demonstrations in Panama City that have caused partial road closures and significant traffic disruption. Additionally, there are reports of a large concentration of protestors and a lack of police presence in the Volcan area. Current road closures in the Changuinola area are affecting the availability of food and fuel in the islands of Bocas del Toro. The U.S. Embassy urges American citizens to avoid traveling to the Volcan area at this time.
BACKGROUND: Violent confrontations between Panamanian security forces and indigenous groups have resulted in continued disruptions and demonstrations along the Pan-American Highway near the San Felix area in Chiriqui (Ngobe Bugle region) and elsewhere in Panama. There are reports of violent confrontations between the Panamanian police and protestors in the San Juan, San Felix, Horconcitos, and Vigui areas. There are further reports of demonstrations in the areas of David, Changuinola and Panama City.
The U.S. Embassy urges American citizens to proceed cautiously with travel along the Pan-American Highway in western Panama at this time. While the Pan-American Highway is reported to be open, protesters continue in their attempts to block it with rocks, trees, and burning tires at various points between Chiriqui and San Felix. Protesters have been reportedly throwing rocks at passing vehicles. Panamanian Security Services continue to use tear gas and other riot control measures. American citizens are urged to avoid areas of demonstrations, to defer traveling to and within areas known to have current protest activity, and to exercise caution in any area of confrontation between police and protestors. Other protests on this or other issues may occur with little or no warning. The Embassy continues to caution its employees and all U.S. citizens to exercise heightened security awareness and avoid crowds and any areas where there are demonstrations or where confrontations could occur.
7:30pm A reader submitted this report to Panama Guide: "It sure is funny that there has been almost no news about the province of Bocas del Toro. I am now on Isla Colon as of this afternoon, but live in Almirante. I have been in touch with friends in Changuinola and they have told me that there are numerous blockades all through the city, and all along the highway to Almirante. The back road from Changuinola to Almirante is blocked. The police have not intervened. They are holed up in the cuartel with the gates locked. Everyone is thankful that they haven t taken to smashing the local businesses like last time. Around a thousand demonstrators marched down the streets in Changuinola yesterday. In Almirante,the water lines have been sabotaged many times and we have been without water.I could hear chainsaws busy near Almirante last night and this morning. Over on the island, Isla Colon, other than the fact that there is no diesel ,cooking gas, vegetables, or incoming tourists, things seem relatively normal. The electric plant must be almost out of fuel and they have been threatening to cut power for 4 days now. We are all waiting wwith bated breath for the results of the negotiations that are happening at this moment in David."
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Noon Wednesday, Larry Adds: There are reports that the negotiators have reached agreement and are preparing a final document for approval. Hopefully these negotiations will result in a resolution today. If not it should be really interesting later today because a number of organizations are gearing up for marches and demonstrations ‘if required’ on Wednesday. I can assure you that, living right on the city’s ‘gathering place’ (the Parque), I have had about all the speeches delivered over bullhorns I can handle for a while.
Even more importantly, shortages of all types are starting to cause all sorts of problems throughout the country. The central point of my posting "Achilles Heel in Panama's Infrastructure?" on my travel blog a week ago is really being highlighted.
Till Next Time. Pura Vida!