*Document signed by the Panamanian executive constitute an act against the homeland
*The working class is determined to fight against the imposition of a U.S.-aligned govt.
*The working class is determined to fight against the imposition of a U.S.-aligned govt.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00The Panamanian people is ready to take to the streets in defense of their sovereignty in the face of the imperialist attempts by the U.S. President Donald Trump.
00:08Let's see more in the following report by our correspondent Belén de los Santos.
00:16Panamanians are once again ready to take to the streets in defense of their sovereignty.
00:21After a week in which the government received U.S. officials and once again yielded to the will of the Trump administration,
00:27allowing increased presence of U.S. military in Panamanian territory,
00:32the major working sectors are coming together to defend the people's resources,
00:37which they understand are being handed over to foreign powers.
00:42Because Panama has a serious problem, and it is that the mafiocracy that we define as the corrupt oligarchy
00:48that thinks it owns the country, together with its servant politicians,
00:52the traditional politicians and a new generation of politicians,
00:57are dedicated to the plundering and looting of the people's resources,
01:01so there is widespread dissatisfaction in that sense,
01:04and we are facing a problem in which these traitors are finally receiving Rubio.
01:09They are receiving the heads of the Southern Command,
01:11they are receiving CIA agents,
01:13and now the Hegseth, Secretary of War or Defense of the United States,
01:18has arrived.
01:19They have practically signed memorandums that violate the political constitution in its article 91 and 325.
01:27According to one of the country's main union leaders, Saul Mendes,
01:31documents signed by the Panamanian executive constitute an act against the homeland,
01:36as the constitution states that the president cannot concede national territory in any way to foreign powers,
01:43and that any change regarding the canal's defense should be approved by the Assembly and through a popular consultation.
01:50This context adds to the social discontent regarding the mismanagement of sovereign resources
01:56and the recently approved social security reform that directly affects the working class.
02:01The Panamanian people have always been a peaceful people,
02:10but the people of struggle who demand respect,
02:13who demand that their fundamental social claims be fulfilled.
02:16In recent periods, we have seen a country where the economy is growing,
02:20but living conditions are very precarious.
02:23The fourth place with the worst distribution of wealth in the world.
02:27This has generated national discontent,
02:30and Panamanians have asked for a canal in favor of the interest of Panamanians,
02:36a canal for the country and not a country for the canal.
02:39And on top of that comes the government of José Raúl Molino,
02:43a reactionary government that calls itself a business government,
02:48but is, above all, in the face of the aggression after Donald Trump became president of the United States,
02:53a submissive government dragged a loan that has allowed a series of situations
02:59that we Panamanians thought had been overcome,
03:02for example, the military presence of the United States in our country.
03:13As in 2023, when Panama saw massive protests against the expansion of foreign mining in the country,
03:20the political climate in the nation anticipates a new cycle of demonstrations
03:24as the working class is determined to fight against the impositions
03:28of a U.S.-aligned government that prioritizes foreign mandates over its own people.
03:34Unions from different economic sectors are organizing a joint action plan
03:38with a great demonstration set for April 24th,
03:42when a general strike is likely to be announced.
03:45The rejection of U.S. military bases in the country,
03:47as well as the construction of a new dam in Rio Indio
03:51and the need to repeal the social security law
03:53are the main causes fueling the struggle.
04:00Panama's sovereignty is cared for by Panamanians.
04:03The people have risen up as of Wednesday, April 23rd.
04:07The teachers of this country have announced
04:10that we are going to go on a general strike
04:12and as of April to 4th each.
04:15After the great national march that we are going to have that day,
04:18it is most probable that a national strike of all other sectors will be announced.
04:27And hence the slogan,
04:29this country is not for sale.
04:30This country has been defended,
04:32and this is a fact that we have demonstrated
04:34with the blood of Panamanian men and women.
04:36Belen de los Santos from Panama City for Telesur English.