On February 12, hundreds of workers marched against Bill 163, which seeks to promote the privatization of Panamanian social security. They also demonstrated, they said, against the expansionist intentions of US President Trump and the national government of José Raúl Mulino. The Panamanian president, aside from a couple of statements, has accepted all the demands of the US government, even at the cost of lacerating the nation’s sovereignty.
The workers suffered extreme police repression. 480 were arrested.
Following the mass arrest, workers continued to protest, demanding the release of their political prisoners in addition to their original demands. Families and co-workers also camped outside of the jail all week, calling for “unity, firmness and discipline to confront the Mulino dictatorship.”
On February 19, the last 83 detained workers were released from jail and embraced by cheering crowds.
Amid celebrations, movement leaders have affirmed that the mobilization on Feb 20 will happen as planned, continuing the movement against:
- Social security reforms
- Donald Trump’s expansionist, anti-immigrant agenda in Panama
- President Mulino’s acquiescence to the US government
The march on Thursday is expected to be a major demonstration in response to the escalation of the police.
Law enforcement conducts mass arrests
After intense confrontations between workers organized in the National Union of Workers of Construction and Similar Industries (SUNTRACS) and law enforcement agents, almost 500 people were arrested. President Mulino publicly labeled them terrorists, while SUNTRACS defended their right to protest and declared their imprisoned comrades “political prisoners.” Some of the prisoners have reported being beaten and mistreated after being apprehended.
After several hours of uncertainty, the Panamanian State released most of the detainees. However, on February 16, the Public Prosecutor’s Office decided to request the provisional detention of 83 SUNTRACS workers based on the alleged crimes of attacking collective security, economic patrimony, individual freedom, and personal integrity.
For its part, the legal team of SUNTRACS said that “the legal defense [of the workers] has been destroying, one by one, the lies of the Public Ministry…. We hope that the court makes the correct decision according to the laws and that the 83 comrades who today are deprived of their freedom obtain their freedom as soon as possible…We continue with the fight.”
On X, SUNTRACS said, “A week has passed since the arrest of our comrades who were exercising their legitimate right to protest. They are not criminals; they are social fighters! We demand the release of political prisoners. Since day 1, we have camped in solidarity in front of the hearing, together with their families, resisting and demanding justice. The Panamanian people do not abandon those who fight for the common good. History teaches us that organization, dignity, and struggle are our greatest tools against injustice. Today more than ever, unity, firmness, and discipline to face Mulino’s dictatorship. -The political prisoners will be released. The working class is united in the defense of its interests. Social security is a human right and we will defend it until the end. Solidarity with SUNTRACS expands and multiplies nationally and internationally.”
For its part, the International Labor Organization, following a request from SUNTRACS, has asked the Mulino government to offer “its observations as soon as possible” on the organized workers’ denunciation of the facts described above.
National mobilization calls for justice, workers’ rights, and sovereignty
SUNTRACS is preparing for a mass mobilization on February 20 against Law 163, as well as, they say, against the pro-US government of Mulino which has agreed, among other things, to detain migrants in the Central American territory: “Panamanians, the struggle is coming. SUNTRACS in the streets nationwide Against the [Social Security] reforms. Against the sale of Homeland. Against the reactivation of mine. Against the violation of human rights of migrants and nationals. Freedom for political prisoners.”
