Panama temporarily suspends some constitutional guarantees in protest-rocked province

Panama's government temporarily suspended certain constitutional rights in the western province of Bocas del Toro after a wave of unrest led to the ransacking of businesses and government offices.

The decision, announced by Minister of the Presidency Juan Carlos Orillac, will remain in effect for five days and is aimed at restoring peace amid what officials described as a dangerously escalating situation.

The unrest stems from widespread opposition to a pension reform law passed in March, with protests and roadblocks ongoing nationwide. In Bocas del Toro, tensions have been especially high, driven in part by striking workers from a Chiquita banana plantation. Chiquita labelled the strike as “unjustified” and dismissed thousands of employees. Some of those workers later returned to work after securing a partial restoration of lost benefits.

Despite their withdrawal, roadblocks in the region remain in place. The government has not confirmed who is currently responsible for maintaining them, though labour unions and Indigenous groups continue to lead demonstrations across the country.

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