US Edition
Leader of powerful Panamanian union scales embassy wall, requests asylum from Bolivia
- Saúl Méndez, secretary general of Panama's national construction workers union, climbed the Bolivian embassy wall on May 21, 2025, in Panama City to request political asylum.
- This action followed a three-year government investigation into the union's alleged financial mismanagement and the cancellation of its legal status for lacking internal controls to prevent money laundering.
- Méndez had led weeks of protests against Panama's social security reforms and a U.S. Security agreement, while union leader Jaime Caballero was arrested earlier on money laundering charges.
- Bolivia’s representative to Panama, Carlos Javier Suárez Cornejo, reported that Méndez was granted temporary protection while his case was under review, as Panama’s government maintains that the reforms are essential to preserve social security funding and do not compromise the country’s sovereignty.
- After the asylum request, protests continued with reduced roadblocks, indicating ongoing tensions around the social security overhaul and union leadership legal issues.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Panamanian Union Leader Saul Mendez Requests Asylum in Bolivian Embassy - teleSUR English
The National Union of Construction Workers faces government crackdown. On Wednesday, the National Union of Workers of Construction and Similar Industries (SUNTRACS) said it is the target of a government crackdown under President Jose Mulino. RELATED: Panama Protests: University Students Mobilize for National Autonomy and Sovereignty SUNTRACS Undersecretary Yamir Cordoba denounced what he described as “lawfare” and hate-driven actions against uni…
Associated Press News
Leader of powerful Panamanian union scales embassy wall, requests asylum from Bolivia
A leader of Panama’s most powerful union, a driving force for weeks of street protests against social security reforms, has climbed an embassy wall and requested political asylum from Bolivia.
The Washington Hispanic
El UniversoPanama’s Leading Trade Union Leader Seeks Asylum at Bolivian Embassy · Global Voices
Panama’s leading trade union leader asked for asylum at the Bolivian embassy on Wednesday following the arrest of another union leader in a context of protests against President José Raúl Mulino. The powerful Suntrac construction union maintains a strong press with the Panamanian government for a pension reform, among other issues. Saul Méndez made the decision to asylum after the government closed a Suntracs cooperative and arrested Jaime Cabal…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources lean Left
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
