Council Session in Colón, Panama, Disrupted by Power Struggle

Power Struggle Erupts in Colón Municipal Council A heated session of the Colón Municipal Council in Panama took an unexpected turn on Tuesday when President Hugo Castro, a member of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), proposed a list of potential future council presidents. This move was swiftly met with opposition from representatives of Realizando Metas (RM), Cambio Democrático (CD), and independent council members. They voiced concerns that the list was imposed without consensus, describing it as "antidemocratic." In a dramatic display of protest, these dissenting members chose to walk out of the session. "This is not democracy!" exclaimed one council member, visibly upset by the president's actions. The walkout significantly escalated tensions within the council, which has experienced ongoing friction between different political factions in recent months. The situation remains unresolved, with uncertainty surrounding whether the proposal will be put to a vote or withdrawn. While the immediate impact of the walkout is a stalled session, the underlying issue highlights the deep divisions within the Colón Municipal Council. The incident underscores the need for more collaborative and transparent decision-making processes within local government.