Escalating Unrest in Panama’s Bocas del Toro: Government Struggles to Restore Order Amid Social Security Reform Protests

Panama is witnessing a troubling escalation of unrest in its Caribbean banana-producing province, Bocas del Toro, as protests against recent social security reforms grow more intense. Authorities report multiple road blockades and fierce clashes between demonstrators and police forces, resulting in dozens of arrests and injuries on both sides. The Panamanian government has deployed what it calls 'Operation Omega'—a large-scale police intervention aimed at reopening critical transportation routes and restoring law and order. Despite these efforts, resistance remains strong, especially in Changuinola, the epicenter of the conflict where nearly two-thirds of blockade points remain active. Government Response Under Pressure Viceminister...