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.

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SUNTRACS Undersecretary Yamir Cordoba denounced what he described as “lawfare” and hate-driven actions against union secretary Saul Mendez, who has requested asylum at the Bolivian Embassy. Mendez is receiving temporary protection there while Bolivia’s National Refugee Council reviews his request.

“The Mulino administration intends to destroy SUNTRACS,” Cordoba said, calling for worker unity and urged the Panamanian people to show solidarity in defending SUNTRACS, which he described as a union that has always led the fight for public welfare.

In the early hours of Wednesday, union secretary Mendez sought refuge in the Bolivian Embassy amid an indefinite strike led by the union and ongoing investigations into alleged money laundering involving at least one of its leaders.

Earlier, the Second Prosecutor’s Office Against Organized Crime had ordered the arrest of 11 SUNTRACS leaders in connection with a case of fraud. This occurred without any prior official announcement from the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Later, the Attorney General’s Office confirmed that arrest warrants had been issued for unnamed citizens as part of a criminal investigation that dates back to 2022.

“The criminal case stems from a complaint filed by former workers from a construction project who were affiliated with SUNTRACS. The complaint, submitted by ex-workers, cites alleged crimes including aggravated fraud, money laundering, illicit association, document forgery, and misconduct in public office,” the Attorney General’s Office said.

On Tuesday, the Panamanian Autonomous Cooperative Institute (IPACOOP) had already ordered the cancellation of the legal status of the SUNTRACS Multiple Services Cooperative, citing at least “14 findings” that indicate alleged failures in money laundering prevention controls. On May 16, a judge ordered the pretrial detention of SUNTRACS leader Jaime Caballero for alleged money laundering.

Mendez, a leftist union leader who has accused President Mulino of being a “petty dictator,” ran for president in 2019 as the candidate of the now-defunct Broad Front for Democracy (FAD).

For the past month, SUNTRACS and public school teachers’ unions have been leading an indefinite strike and street protests against a proposed reform of the social security system. They have accused the Mulino administration of being part of a “mafia.” The strikes by teachers and workers have been met with violent police repression, leaving several people injured and others detained.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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