Panama: Strike and march in Colón March 13

Event

A 24-hour strike is set to take place in Colón province on Tuesday, March 13, and is expected to result in school closures and a suspension of public transportation. In addition to the strike, a march into the city of Colón via the Transístmica highway (Route 3, one of two main routes connecting Colón with the capital Panama City) is planned for Tuesday morning. The march could lead to significant transportation disruptions as well as clashes with police.

Context

The strike and march have been called for to demand the government take action to address issues related to education, security, and safe drinking water. The committee behind the strike hopes to get President Juan Carlos Varela to visit Colón to discuss these issues.

Advice

Individuals in Colón are advised to avoid demonstrations as a precaution and allow for extra time to reach their destinations.