Seoul Gazette - Panama says has regained 'control' of restive province after months of protests

Anti-government protests began almost two months ago in the major banana-producing region of Bocas del Toro over pension reforms that critics say will force them to work longer.

The unrest has left one dead, more than 300 arrested, and dozens injured, including 14 police officers, according to authorities.

National Police Director General Jaime Fernandez told a press conference Monday that "there is already a consolidation of police and public forces in general in Bocas del Toro."

"We somehow managed to take control of the situation" and the protests and looting "have ceased," though "the threat remains," he added.

President Jose Raul Mulino last week declared a state of emergency for the province, suspending freedom of assembly and movement where protesters set up roadblocks and damaged the airport, businesses and offices.

Violence peaked in the city of Changuinola, where groups looted businesses and partially set fire to a baseball stadium with police officers inside, authorities said.

Local media reported clashes were winding down, and the Panamanian Security Ministry published photos and video Monday showing police clearing roads in Changuinola.

"There is still significant damage," Fernandez said.

Over 2,500 police officers were deployed to restore order to the province.

Workers with US banana giant Chiquita in Bocas del Toro went on strike in late April over pension reforms adopted by the Panamanian Congress.

Chiquita sacked thousands of workers over the strike.

The banana growers' unions called off their protest earlier this month in a bid to reverse the layoffs, but other groups have remained at the barricades.

"A major part of the arrests are due to vandalism and looting," Deputy Security Minister Luis Felipe Icaza said.

C.Nam--SG