Panama Update

Panama begins the process of recovery

After a week of riots, fires, road blockages, shortage of food and fuel, looting local businesses and much tension throughout the country, Panama woke up this morning in a state of hopeful expectation. Pending the signature of the President on the agreement between government and the indigenous, things are cautiously getting back to order throughout the country.

The protests of the indigenous tribe Gnöbe Buglé in the western part of Panamá caused great problems to the OM team in the Province of Chiriquí. Last week, a group of protesters blocked the only highway between Chiriquí and the country’s capital, Panamá City. The Gnöbe Buglé are upset with the government for approving hydropower and mining developments in the region. They want President Martinelli to exclude the indigenous area from the industry to protect the natural environment.

It now has been reported that the first 9 trucks of fresh produce from the province of Chiriquí have made their way to Panama City in the early hours of the morning, after a week of no commercial trading throughout the country.

All of this is good news for the team of OM Panama. This means that they should be able to resume normal activity in their daily operations. It also means that the OMers from around the world who have been in Volcán this week for the OM Latin America Finance Forum will be able to travel freely to catch their busses and flights back home.