The main entrance to the US Embassy in Panama was blocked this Tuesday (24), Christmas Eve, due to a protest by members of the Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs), and the Panama Teachers Association (Asoprof ), among others, against recent statements by President-elect Donald Trump.
This weekend, Trump complained about the price charged to American ships crossing the Panama Canal and insinuated the growing Chinese influence over the route. Furthermore, he threatened that if these situations were not corrected he could make the canal, which the US returned in 1999 to Panama, .
With signs and shouting slogans against the US government and Donald Trump, the protesters stood for three hours at the vehicle access to the diplomatic headquarters and in front of the gate and security guards.
The President of Panama, when stating that “every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent area belongs to Panama, and will continue to do so” and added that “the sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable”.
A CNN attempts to obtain comment from the US Embassy in Panama regarding the protest and the blockade at the entrance to its facilities, but so far there has been no response.
