Protests

Last week, Banana workers in Bocas del Toro (my province) went on strike because of their low and unpaid wages. Days before, the national government passed legislation that made public demonstrations in the streets and paying union dues illegal. This effectively prohibits union operation and protests.

The protests escalated and turned violent, throwing bricks, burning down buildings and blocking the roads. Many protesters have been injured during clashes with the police and two have died.

All Peace Corps volunteers are safe and thankfully this issue has nothing to do with “gringos”. Volunteers are on STANDFAST and have been in contact with the office and regional coordinators. However, due to these unpredictable and occasionally violent protests, we are advised not to travel. Transportation has been disrupted especially those going to Bocas.

We were in the middle of a Business Plan Seminar while these events were developing. The seminar ended early so that volunteers and their counterparts could return to their sites. However, for obvious reasons volunteers in my province could not return. So, we have been keeping a low profile in a hotel in David and waiting for things to calm down and return to work.