Protests Against Electoral Reforms in Panama, 47 Arrested

October 31, 2019

Students in froint of the National Assembly of Panama. Photo: AP

HAVANA TIMES – At least 47 persons were arrested on Wednesday night during protests in Panama against electoral reforms, informed Europa Press, citing a police report.

Among those arrested is Richard Morales, a presidential candidate in May of this year for the Broad Front for Democracy (FAD), according to the local newspaper ‘La Prensa’.

Likewise, numerous students of the Santa María la Antigua University (USMA) are in police custody.

The rector of the University of Panama, Eduardo Flores, and that of the USMA, Juan Planells Fernandez, have gone to the Peace Court of the Calidonia Correctional Center on Thursday to supervise the situation of the detainees.

Lawyer and human rights activist Ivan Chanis noted that there are also minors in detention. After the incidents, the unions have called for new protests for Thursday starting at 4:00 p.m. (local time) in the immediate vicinity of Plaza 5 de Mayo.