Re: South America
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2022 4:07 pm
PANAMA, ON THE VERGE OF A SOCIAL EXPLOSION?
Jul 16, 2022 , 11:46 am .
Weariness over rising fuel prices and cases of institutional corruption threaten to destroy Panama's stability (Photo: Rogelio Figueroa / AFP)
The protests in Panama have reached levels never before seen in recent decades, which could be close to a social explosion. Thousands of Panamanians have been protesting in the streets for two weeks against rising prices for food, medicine and fuel. What began as a protest by the educational union has been spreading to other sectors, giving rise to practically unprecedented demonstrations in recent Panamanian history.
The demands of the protesters are broad, in fact, they exceed thirty, but they mainly focus on the high cost of living. In the streets, a brake on the rise in fuel is demanded , putting a cap on it so that it does not exceed 3 dollars per gallon. Likewise, they demand a similar measure for several medicines and more than 50 foods of the basic basket, within the framework of a continued increase in the cost of several goods of common use.
There are also sectors that ask for a wage increase, the creation of unemployment insurance and even a tax reform. The list of demands is long.
Health workers, indigenous people, transporters, agricultural producers, fishermen and construction workers have been joining the teachers who started the marches claiming for salary debts from the State.
Although the government of President Laurentino Cortizo has taken measures , at the time it saw the protests grow and threaten to overflow, they do not seem to satisfy the demands of the protesters at the moment. For example, Cortizo announced the freezing of gasoline at 3.95 dollars per gallon, almost a dollar more than what was demanded by the protesting population. He also said that 10 products of the basic basket would not exceed a price cap, far from the number of items that they ask for in the streets.
On the other hand, there have been contradictions between the measures taken by the government and the legislature, increasing general discontent. While the National Assembly of Panama announced a cut in expenses and a cessation of wage increases for deputies and their advisers, Cortizo ordered the cut of 10% of public administration jobs to reduce state spending.
The Panamanian president tries to promote a great national dialogue with the mediation of the church, however, he blames the situation for the effects of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Although these two factors have wreaked havoc on the economies both nationally in different latitudes and worldwide, what happened in Panama seems to be more structural than anything else, due to the dollarized economy of that country.
In Panama, during the pandemic there was an economic contraction of practically 18%, according to Cosefin data ;
*An increase of almost three points in poverty;
*The public debt increased around 45% of GDP, almost 65% in two years;
*Panama is the country with the greatest inequality in Central America, with a worse Gini index (49.8) than Honduras and Guatemala and the second in all of Latin America, only behind Colombia;
*6 out of 10 Panamanians affirm that their income is not enough to make ends meet;
*Inflation is at 4% measured in May this year.
Discontent with the political class in general, the product of rampant corruption, is an extra incentive for thousands of Panamanians to join the social protests that are not only concentrated in the capital.
All these edges show that the situation in Panama is complex and therefore will not have a simple solution. It would take much more than a few measures to satisfy the demands of the population and, likewise, a turn of the screw not only politically but also economically, since the dollarization of the Central American country is an important factor when reading the scenarios of way out of the crisis, taking into account that the US currency has been losing strength in recent years, with an economic, financial and commercial crisis on a global scale that lays bare the daily reality of Panamanians.
In Latin America and the Caribbean there have been several examples of a social explosion in the last decade as a result of accumulated discontent due to neoliberal causes and political weariness of the situation. The cases of Chile and Colombia are the most paradigmatic and therefore it would not be strange if something different from those scenarios occurred in Panama. Although it seems that, in the case of this country, the game is blocked by the economic and financial structure adjusted to US interests.
As we well know, the United States finances its own dollar-centric hegemony by indebting third countries and transferring the wealth to its center. In this case, Panama counts as a major geopolitical and commercial asset for Washington and New York. The edge of the sword of Damocles feels ever closer to the neck of the Panamanian population, exhausted by the social situation resulting from the economic debacle and, therefore, is on the verge of an explosion with unprecedented consequences for that country.
https://misionverdad.com/globalistan/pa ... ido-social
Google Translator
****************
Panamanian government and union agree to lower fuel prices
This Sunday the mobilizations continued, which will last until Monday in demand of response to the demands of the people. | Photo: The Press
Published 18 July 2022
The agreements on fuel prices in some Panamanian provinces do not satisfy the real demands of the people, nor do they clarify the issue of managing the state budget.
The National Alliance for the Rights of the Peoples (Anadepo) and the Government of Panama signed an agreement in Santiago de Veraguas this Sunday in which they set the price of fuel at $3.25 per gallon, as well as lifting all closures on highways. country communication.
The price will apply to both gasoline and diesel and will be subject to the variation in the price of the international oil market or international cost situations, the document states; while from Anadepo they avoided that only they are committed to lifting the closures of communication routes.
To which they added the establishment of a High Cost of Medications technical table, to review the list of critical shortage medications, ensure the quality of the medicines that are purchased through this process, establish a new mechanism for the purchase and distribution of drugs, and eliminate oligopolies.
Regarding this, the Executive will instruct the Ministries of Education, Health and Government to undertake actions and reach agreements with the aim that these lead to the end of the strike.
The agreement was signed by Luis Sánchez and Alexis Cazorla, representatives of Anadepo; the Vice President and Minister of the Presidency, José Gabriel Carrizo; Manuel Castillo Melamed, Governor of Veraguas, and the Ombudsman, Eduardo Leblanc, who acted as mediator in the negotiations.
Meanwhile, in the village of San Felix, province of Chiriquí, government representatives and social leaders of the province set a freeze on fuel costs at 3.30 dollars per gallon, which will lift the closures that were maintained in San Juan, San Félix, Remedios, El Salado and Horconcitos.
Alliance people united for life continues to fight
For its part, the Alianza Pueblo Unidos por la Vida, which brings together several unions and unions of workers in the Central American country, stressed that there should be a single dialogue table, and urged to intensify the protest actions in the streets for this Monday.
The general secretary of the Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs), Saúl Méndez, stated that "in the face of the irresponsibility of the Government in trying to maneuver, to sit down and not sit down in front of all the actors that are in struggle, it is necessary to intensify the actions"; while he requested a single table with the presence of all the social actors of the country.
This Sunday the mobilizations continued in Panamanian territory, as the demonstration developed in the coastal strip against the high cost of the basic basket of food, fuel and medicine attests; as well as in opposition to the management given to State resources.
"I love my country, but the government makes me ashamed"; “if they stop stealing, the money is enough for everyone”; "With corruption there is no social peace." "Neither roses nor bamboo, we want health, medicine, education, transparency, security and justice," said some of the banners raised during the demonstration, which has now lasted more than two weeks.
https://www.telesurtv.net/news/gobierno ... -0001.html
Confrontation in Ecuadorian prison leaves at least 13 dead
The confrontation in the Santo Domingo prison is the second recorded in that center since last May, when 44 deaths were reported. | Photo: @Cromaclitv1
Published July 19, 2022 (6 hours 23 minutes ago)
The Ecuadorian authorities described the new confrontation in the Santo Domingo prison as a massacre.
A new confrontation recorded this Monday in the prison of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, province of Sierra de Ecuador, left at least 13 inmates dead and two injured.
The death toll was confirmed by the National Comprehensive Care Service (SNAI) for Persons Deprived of Liberty, the country's prison unit.
The SNAI also reported that with the help of personnel from the Police and the Armed Forces it managed to retake control of the prison, while the Prosecutor's Office has initiated investigations into the fatalities.
#ATTENTION | The #SNAI reports: In the #CPLSantoDomingo No. 1 a fight is recorded inside the center.
Upon learning of this fact, the support of the National Police, Armed Forces, Ministry of Public Health has been immediately requested.
News in development… pic.twitter.com/GYsJwVbaHq
— SNAI Ecuador (@SNAI_Ec) July 18, 2022
The Ecuadorian authorities described the unfortunate act of massacre and barbarism.
The institutions in charge of internal and external security continue to guard the Center. Meanwhile, the verification of the deceased will be carried out by the @FiscaliaEcuador , as the competent body for the verification of victims.
— SNAI Ecuador (@SNAI_Ec) July 18, 2022
From the Human Rights Secretariat they reported that they activated a care protocol for the relatives of the inmates and that they have coordinated other actions with the SNAI and other entities of the Technical Organization of the National Social Rehabilitation System.
OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION | Given the events that occurred today, July 18, 2022 at the CPL of #SantoDomingo , the Ecuadorian Human Rights Secretariat reports that it has activated its care protocol �� https://t.co/8wMSOPFXSm pic.twitter.com/MkW1HhyYdK
– Secretariat of Human Rights of Ecuador (@DDHH_Ec) July 18, 2022
The confrontation in the Santo Domingo prison is the second recorded in that center since last May, when 44 deaths and 10 injuries were reported.
Ecuador has registered since February 2021 at least seven prison massacres with some 400 dead inmates.
https://www.telesurtv.net/news/ecuador- ... -0002.html
Heavy transport sector in Peru announces national strike
In Lambayeque, taxi drivers, buses and vans announced that they will join the protest, as a result of the rise in fuel prices, the restructuring of the Superintendence of Land Transportation of People, Cargo and Goods (Sutran), among others. | Photo: PL
Published 17 July 2022
During the week, the regions of Arequipa, Cusco and Lambayeque confirmed their presence for the national strike.
The Association of Transporters of Peru (Asotrape) announced this Sunday the realization of an indefinite strike from next July 18 in protest at the crisis that the heavy load guild is going through in different regions of the country.
In this sense, the union representative, Javier Corrales, said that the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) modified the supreme decree that exempted fuel from the Selective Consumption Tax (ISC) until June, with an extension until December.
Corrales added that compliance with the strike is guaranteed by 80 percent of carriers in 24 of the 25 regions of the Andean nation, noting that truckers will block the highways with their vehicles.
According to the union leader, it is recommended that the population provide itself with food in the event of a possible shortage of agricultural products in the cities.
“We will be located on the side of the tracks. What will probably happen is food shortages because we will stop transporting the products to the markets,” said the leader of the National Guild of Carriers and Drivers (GNTC), Hugo Meléndez.
It is worth specifying that some transport unions indicated that they will only stop their work, but will not move to the tracks.
https://www.telesurtv.net/news/peru-sec ... -0018.html
Google Translator
Jul 16, 2022 , 11:46 am .
Weariness over rising fuel prices and cases of institutional corruption threaten to destroy Panama's stability (Photo: Rogelio Figueroa / AFP)
The protests in Panama have reached levels never before seen in recent decades, which could be close to a social explosion. Thousands of Panamanians have been protesting in the streets for two weeks against rising prices for food, medicine and fuel. What began as a protest by the educational union has been spreading to other sectors, giving rise to practically unprecedented demonstrations in recent Panamanian history.
The demands of the protesters are broad, in fact, they exceed thirty, but they mainly focus on the high cost of living. In the streets, a brake on the rise in fuel is demanded , putting a cap on it so that it does not exceed 3 dollars per gallon. Likewise, they demand a similar measure for several medicines and more than 50 foods of the basic basket, within the framework of a continued increase in the cost of several goods of common use.
There are also sectors that ask for a wage increase, the creation of unemployment insurance and even a tax reform. The list of demands is long.
Health workers, indigenous people, transporters, agricultural producers, fishermen and construction workers have been joining the teachers who started the marches claiming for salary debts from the State.
Although the government of President Laurentino Cortizo has taken measures , at the time it saw the protests grow and threaten to overflow, they do not seem to satisfy the demands of the protesters at the moment. For example, Cortizo announced the freezing of gasoline at 3.95 dollars per gallon, almost a dollar more than what was demanded by the protesting population. He also said that 10 products of the basic basket would not exceed a price cap, far from the number of items that they ask for in the streets.
On the other hand, there have been contradictions between the measures taken by the government and the legislature, increasing general discontent. While the National Assembly of Panama announced a cut in expenses and a cessation of wage increases for deputies and their advisers, Cortizo ordered the cut of 10% of public administration jobs to reduce state spending.
The Panamanian president tries to promote a great national dialogue with the mediation of the church, however, he blames the situation for the effects of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Although these two factors have wreaked havoc on the economies both nationally in different latitudes and worldwide, what happened in Panama seems to be more structural than anything else, due to the dollarized economy of that country.
In Panama, during the pandemic there was an economic contraction of practically 18%, according to Cosefin data ;
*An increase of almost three points in poverty;
*The public debt increased around 45% of GDP, almost 65% in two years;
*Panama is the country with the greatest inequality in Central America, with a worse Gini index (49.8) than Honduras and Guatemala and the second in all of Latin America, only behind Colombia;
*6 out of 10 Panamanians affirm that their income is not enough to make ends meet;
*Inflation is at 4% measured in May this year.
Discontent with the political class in general, the product of rampant corruption, is an extra incentive for thousands of Panamanians to join the social protests that are not only concentrated in the capital.
All these edges show that the situation in Panama is complex and therefore will not have a simple solution. It would take much more than a few measures to satisfy the demands of the population and, likewise, a turn of the screw not only politically but also economically, since the dollarization of the Central American country is an important factor when reading the scenarios of way out of the crisis, taking into account that the US currency has been losing strength in recent years, with an economic, financial and commercial crisis on a global scale that lays bare the daily reality of Panamanians.
In Latin America and the Caribbean there have been several examples of a social explosion in the last decade as a result of accumulated discontent due to neoliberal causes and political weariness of the situation. The cases of Chile and Colombia are the most paradigmatic and therefore it would not be strange if something different from those scenarios occurred in Panama. Although it seems that, in the case of this country, the game is blocked by the economic and financial structure adjusted to US interests.
As we well know, the United States finances its own dollar-centric hegemony by indebting third countries and transferring the wealth to its center. In this case, Panama counts as a major geopolitical and commercial asset for Washington and New York. The edge of the sword of Damocles feels ever closer to the neck of the Panamanian population, exhausted by the social situation resulting from the economic debacle and, therefore, is on the verge of an explosion with unprecedented consequences for that country.
https://misionverdad.com/globalistan/pa ... ido-social
Google Translator
****************
Panamanian government and union agree to lower fuel prices
This Sunday the mobilizations continued, which will last until Monday in demand of response to the demands of the people. | Photo: The Press
Published 18 July 2022
The agreements on fuel prices in some Panamanian provinces do not satisfy the real demands of the people, nor do they clarify the issue of managing the state budget.
The National Alliance for the Rights of the Peoples (Anadepo) and the Government of Panama signed an agreement in Santiago de Veraguas this Sunday in which they set the price of fuel at $3.25 per gallon, as well as lifting all closures on highways. country communication.
The price will apply to both gasoline and diesel and will be subject to the variation in the price of the international oil market or international cost situations, the document states; while from Anadepo they avoided that only they are committed to lifting the closures of communication routes.
To which they added the establishment of a High Cost of Medications technical table, to review the list of critical shortage medications, ensure the quality of the medicines that are purchased through this process, establish a new mechanism for the purchase and distribution of drugs, and eliminate oligopolies.
Regarding this, the Executive will instruct the Ministries of Education, Health and Government to undertake actions and reach agreements with the aim that these lead to the end of the strike.
The agreement was signed by Luis Sánchez and Alexis Cazorla, representatives of Anadepo; the Vice President and Minister of the Presidency, José Gabriel Carrizo; Manuel Castillo Melamed, Governor of Veraguas, and the Ombudsman, Eduardo Leblanc, who acted as mediator in the negotiations.
Meanwhile, in the village of San Felix, province of Chiriquí, government representatives and social leaders of the province set a freeze on fuel costs at 3.30 dollars per gallon, which will lift the closures that were maintained in San Juan, San Félix, Remedios, El Salado and Horconcitos.
Alliance people united for life continues to fight
For its part, the Alianza Pueblo Unidos por la Vida, which brings together several unions and unions of workers in the Central American country, stressed that there should be a single dialogue table, and urged to intensify the protest actions in the streets for this Monday.
The general secretary of the Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs), Saúl Méndez, stated that "in the face of the irresponsibility of the Government in trying to maneuver, to sit down and not sit down in front of all the actors that are in struggle, it is necessary to intensify the actions"; while he requested a single table with the presence of all the social actors of the country.
This Sunday the mobilizations continued in Panamanian territory, as the demonstration developed in the coastal strip against the high cost of the basic basket of food, fuel and medicine attests; as well as in opposition to the management given to State resources.
"I love my country, but the government makes me ashamed"; “if they stop stealing, the money is enough for everyone”; "With corruption there is no social peace." "Neither roses nor bamboo, we want health, medicine, education, transparency, security and justice," said some of the banners raised during the demonstration, which has now lasted more than two weeks.
https://www.telesurtv.net/news/gobierno ... -0001.html
Confrontation in Ecuadorian prison leaves at least 13 dead
The confrontation in the Santo Domingo prison is the second recorded in that center since last May, when 44 deaths were reported. | Photo: @Cromaclitv1
Published July 19, 2022 (6 hours 23 minutes ago)
The Ecuadorian authorities described the new confrontation in the Santo Domingo prison as a massacre.
A new confrontation recorded this Monday in the prison of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, province of Sierra de Ecuador, left at least 13 inmates dead and two injured.
The death toll was confirmed by the National Comprehensive Care Service (SNAI) for Persons Deprived of Liberty, the country's prison unit.
The SNAI also reported that with the help of personnel from the Police and the Armed Forces it managed to retake control of the prison, while the Prosecutor's Office has initiated investigations into the fatalities.
#ATTENTION | The #SNAI reports: In the #CPLSantoDomingo No. 1 a fight is recorded inside the center.
Upon learning of this fact, the support of the National Police, Armed Forces, Ministry of Public Health has been immediately requested.
News in development… pic.twitter.com/GYsJwVbaHq
— SNAI Ecuador (@SNAI_Ec) July 18, 2022
The Ecuadorian authorities described the unfortunate act of massacre and barbarism.
The institutions in charge of internal and external security continue to guard the Center. Meanwhile, the verification of the deceased will be carried out by the @FiscaliaEcuador , as the competent body for the verification of victims.
— SNAI Ecuador (@SNAI_Ec) July 18, 2022
From the Human Rights Secretariat they reported that they activated a care protocol for the relatives of the inmates and that they have coordinated other actions with the SNAI and other entities of the Technical Organization of the National Social Rehabilitation System.
OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION | Given the events that occurred today, July 18, 2022 at the CPL of #SantoDomingo , the Ecuadorian Human Rights Secretariat reports that it has activated its care protocol �� https://t.co/8wMSOPFXSm pic.twitter.com/MkW1HhyYdK
– Secretariat of Human Rights of Ecuador (@DDHH_Ec) July 18, 2022
The confrontation in the Santo Domingo prison is the second recorded in that center since last May, when 44 deaths and 10 injuries were reported.
Ecuador has registered since February 2021 at least seven prison massacres with some 400 dead inmates.
https://www.telesurtv.net/news/ecuador- ... -0002.html
Heavy transport sector in Peru announces national strike
In Lambayeque, taxi drivers, buses and vans announced that they will join the protest, as a result of the rise in fuel prices, the restructuring of the Superintendence of Land Transportation of People, Cargo and Goods (Sutran), among others. | Photo: PL
Published 17 July 2022
During the week, the regions of Arequipa, Cusco and Lambayeque confirmed their presence for the national strike.
The Association of Transporters of Peru (Asotrape) announced this Sunday the realization of an indefinite strike from next July 18 in protest at the crisis that the heavy load guild is going through in different regions of the country.
In this sense, the union representative, Javier Corrales, said that the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) modified the supreme decree that exempted fuel from the Selective Consumption Tax (ISC) until June, with an extension until December.
Corrales added that compliance with the strike is guaranteed by 80 percent of carriers in 24 of the 25 regions of the Andean nation, noting that truckers will block the highways with their vehicles.
According to the union leader, it is recommended that the population provide itself with food in the event of a possible shortage of agricultural products in the cities.
“We will be located on the side of the tracks. What will probably happen is food shortages because we will stop transporting the products to the markets,” said the leader of the National Guild of Carriers and Drivers (GNTC), Hugo Meléndez.
It is worth specifying that some transport unions indicated that they will only stop their work, but will not move to the tracks.
https://www.telesurtv.net/news/peru-sec ... -0018.html
Google Translator