CIVICUS discusses recent protests in Panama with Lina Vega Abad, president of the board of directors of the Foundation for the Development of Citizen Freedom, a civil society organisation that defends fundamental freedoms and strengthens democracy through citizen training and accountability and transparency advocacy.
A year into President José Raúl Mulino’s administration, Panama is facing a growing social crisis. Protests began when two issues converged: changes to the pension system and the agreement of a military memorandum of understanding with the USA. Unrest has been exacerbated by long-standing dissatisfaction with the quality of public services and the lack of progress in fighting corruption.
