Panama Highway Reopens After Protests

The Interamerican Highway in Chiriquí, Panama, Reopens After Police Intervention Early Tuesday morning, the Interamerican Highway in the eastern region of Chiriquí, Panama, reopened to traffic. This follows a period of closure due to protests by indigenous and peasant groups. National Police crowd control units forcefully cleared the highway on Monday, restoring traffic flow for public transport, freight carriers, and private vehicles by Monday evening. Authorities reported that traffic continued to flow normally throughout Tuesday. "The highway has remained open since last night," stated a spokesperson for the National Police, "thanks to the presence of our crowd control units." The protests, however, continue in various locations along the highway, including Horconcito, San Félix, and Tolé. These demonstrations have caused significant economic disruption for local businesses and residents. Transporters have expressed their opposition to the road closures due to the financial losses they have incurred. Despite ongoing protests, the successful reopening of the highway marks a positive step towards restoring normalcy in the region. The National Police remain vigilant in maintaining the flow of traffic and ensuring public safety.