Panama:Strikes and protests continue in Colon, spread to Panama City

PANAMA – October 26th, 2012 – (InsideCostaRica.com)

– Factions against the sale of lands in the Colon Free Zone did not accept the Government’s offer to revoke a section of the law that allows the territory to be sold. They announced that the protests would stop only if the entire law is abolished.

The city of Colon, which holds the largest Free Zone in the continent, has seen all commercial, transportation and education activity completely shutdown for the past three days, due to the strikes that were declared in opposition to the Panamanian government’s plans to sell lands in the Free Zone to private companies.

Various transit routes were also blocked in Panama City by members of the “Suntracs” construction union, who are also opposed to the sale of lands in the Colon Free Zone, resulting in many delays in traffic.