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Panama has declared an emergency in its main banana-producing region, after shops were looted and buildings vandalised in ongoing protests over a pension reform. <\/p>\n
The government says constitutional rights will be suspended for the next five days in the north-western Bocas del Toro province. <\/p>\n
The measure restricts freedom of movement and allows the police to make arrests without a warrant. <\/p>\n
Troubles in the region began a month ago, when the local banana workers union joined a nationwide protest against proposed pension cuts and declared a strike.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
“In the face of the disruption of order and acts of systematic violence, the state will enforce its constitutional mandate to guarantee peace,” said Juan Carlos Orillac, minister of the presidency.<\/p>\n
The measure, he added, would allow to “rescue the province” from radicals.<\/p>\n
Protests across the Latin American nation erupted back in March over the pension reform. <\/p>\n
In Bocas del Toro, the unrest has been largely led by workers at a Chiquita Brands banana plantation. <\/p>\n
The confrontation escalated last month after the company sacked thousands of striking employees.<\/p>\n
Protesters have been setting up roadblocks in the province, often clashing with police.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, crowds damaged one of Chiquita Brands’ facilities as well as a local airport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n