Rejecting The Presence Of The US Military, Panamanian Workers Union Strikes National Starting April 29

JAKARTA - A national strike starting April 29 will be carried out by trade unions in Panama to protest the government-approved social security reform and the deployment of US troops in the country.

Panamanian union leader, secretary general of the Construction and Similar Workers Union (SUNTRACS) Saul Mendez Rodriguez said on Friday (25/4) that the planned protest was part of a broader initiative to maintain the social security system and national sovereignty.

After a union meeting, reported by ANTARA, Saturday, April 26, Rodriguez said that workers, students, indigenous peoples, and other community sectors in Panama plan to protest the presence of American troops at three former US bases in Panama.

On Friday, Panamanian teachers also ended their third day of protest.

Earlier this month, during US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth's visit to Panama, the two countries had signed a framework agreement on priority and a free path for American warships through the Panama Canal.

NBC News reported in March that the White House had directed the Pentagon to develop plans for a possible increase in US military presence in Panama.

The plan to increase the military presence of Uncle Sam's country is part of US President Donald Trump's strategy to reclaim the Panama Canal.

Trump said in a speech at a joint session of Congress on March 5 that his government had begun efforts to regain US control of the Panama Canal.

In an interview with Time magazine, Trump stated that he was not joking about the claim of sovereignty over Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal.