Trade union leaders denounce simultaneous arrests and raids by the Panamanian Government

Published at: 29/10/2025 10:40 AM

Four members of the National Directorate of the Single Union of Civil and Allied Construction Industry Workers (SUNTRACS) in Panama were arrested during a police operation that involved 18 raids in different areas of the country.

The actions were directed against representatives of the union and their families. The operation was carried out by the National Police, in coordination with the Public Ministry.

The intervention coincides with the active participation of SUNTRACS and the National Front for the Defense of Economic and Social Rights (FRENADESO) in recent protests against modifications to the social security system and a security agreement signed with the United States.

The trade union groups claim that this is a strategy of the Panamanian Government aimed at weakening the union organization through judicial and communication mechanisms. In this context, SUNTRACS attributed responsibility to President José Raúl Mulino, Security Minister Frank Ábrego, prosecutor Javier Caraballo and the Public Prosecutor's Office.

The groups invited international human rights institutions to speak out on what they consider to be an escalation against the trade union movement.

Mazo News Team