Panama City - Some 478 workers and students were arrested in connection with violent protests in Panama, police said Thursday. Genaro Lopez, secretary of the construction trade union Suntracs, complained that those arrested Wednesday were being kept in isolation. He said authorities had denied lawyers access to their clients, in a "violation" of the country's constitution.
Relatives of the workers and students arrested in Wednesday's protests demanded information on the legal status and physical condition of their loved ones.
The Suntracs leadership alleged that many arrested workers had not taken part in the protests but were taken into custody when police stormed construction sites in Panama City.
Some 25 people - demonstrators and police - were injured in the clashes, in the capital and the provinces of Bocas del Toro, Colon, Cocle and Chiriqui.
Lopez said Suntracs union members were indignant following the death of worker Iromi Smith, who was shot in the back Tuesday when he took part in a protest in the Caribbean city of Colon to demand rules on health, hygiene and safety in the industry.
The clashes wreaked havoc in urban areas and caused the destruction of bridges, bus-stops, advertising billboards, shop windows and cars.
The authorities confirmed that unknown attackers raided a police station in Colon late Wednesday. Four police officers suffered bullet wounds.
Domingo Latorraca, president of the Panamanian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, estimated that the clashes have caused more than 12 million dollars in damage.
On Thursday, Suntracs planned to march to the seat of the Panamanian Presidency to denounce the repression and demand the sacking of National Police Chief Rolando Mirones and Interior and Justice Minister Daniel Delgado Diamante, whom they blame for the crisis.
Delgado Diamante stressed that the authorities are obligated to guarantee public safety and free transit.
