TOday the crowds torched all the cars in the local airport parking lot. Yesterday they broke in the Chiquita Banana offices, which recently was closed as the company ceased to operate in the area and laid off thousands of workers.
Now comes the dust after the fire as BOCAS violence is investigated.
- By : James Bryson
- Category : Bocas del Toro, Crime, Human Interest, Labor, Riots, Violence
Bocas del Toro
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Officials emphasize that riot control units do not use lethal weapons and that the Public Ministry has already collected evidence at the scene.
This Wednesday, June 18, marks the fifth day of Operation Omega, deployed by the National Government to ensure public order during the protests taking place across the country. One of the most sensitive incidents occurred in Bocas del Toro, where one person died amid the demonstrations, sparking public concern and a statement from security authorities.
In a press conference, Deputy Minister of Public Security Luis Felipe Icaza stated that the death is under investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. “That body will determine the true circumstances of what happened,” he stated.
For his part, the deputy director of the National Police, Jorge Domínguez, explained that the death occurred in the Rambala area toward Almirante, specifically at a checkpoint where crowd control units were located. “That’s where the protesters arrive. It should be noted that our units do not use firearms. According to Title Five of Law 18, they only use non-lethal weapons, such as tear gas,” he stated.
Domínguez reported that after the intervention, as security forces moved to clear the road, a person was found lying in the area, approximately 250 to 300 meters from the original point of intervention. “First aid was given and he was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead,” he said.
He also stated that, following instructions from the Minister of Security, immediate contact was made with the prosecutor’s office to initiate the investigation. “Today, survey work was carried out on the site. The Public Prosecutor’s Office collected the evidence that will allow it to determine what really happened,” he added.
Finally, Domínguez lamented that “none of those present at the demonstration, if the deceased was participating, provided any assistance,” in contrast to other cases in which “the protesters themselves rescue their companions.”
The commissioner of the National Aeronaval Service (Senan), Roberto Armijo, also participated in the press conference, although he did not comment specifically on the incident. Authorities reiterated their commitment to respecting human rights and assured them they will continue to collaborate with the investigation.
