Panamanian workers and social organizations intensify protests against President José Raúl Mulino’s neoliberal policies, including the controversial Law 462, U.S. military agreements, and environmental threats, demanding sovereignty and social justice.

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Panama is witnessing one of the most significant waves of social mobilization in recent decades as workers, Indigenous groups, students, and social organizations unite to oppose the government of José Raúl Mulino.

The protests, which have intensified over the past month, target the neoliberal Law 462 reforming the Social Security Fund, the expansion of U.S. military presence on Panamanian soil, and the reopening of the environmentally destructive Cobre Panamá mine. These movements represent a broad front defending democracy, sovereignty, and workers’ rights against a government increasingly aligned with imperialist interests.

The Fight Against Law 462 and Social Security Privatization

At the heart of the protests is the rejection of Law 462, a reform that workers argue threatens the social security system by increasing the retirement age, reducing pensions, and opening the door to privatization.

The law is seen as a direct attack on the working class, undermining hard-won social protections. The Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers of Panama (SUNTRACS), alongside teachers, healthcare workers, and other unions, leads the strike demanding the law’s repeal. Their message is clear: health and retirement are rights, not commodities for business profit.

Protesters also vehemently oppose the government’s secretive agreements with the United States that facilitate the establishment of U.S. military bases in Panama and grant free transit to U.S. warships through the Panama Canal.

These moves are widely condemned as a surrender of Panama’s sovereignty and a step toward turning the country into a U.S. protectorate. Social movements and union leaders warn that these agreements deepen imperialist control and threaten Panama’s autonomy, fueling widespread outrage and calls for the government to respect the nation’s independence.

#Panamá masiva marcha de trabajadores en rechazo a la reforma pensional del gobierno de José Raúl Mulino, además de rechazo a la minería, defensa de la soberanía y la democracia.@teleSURtv pic.twitter.com/cOClf7TNp6

— Rekha Chandiramani (@rekhapacitando) May 23, 2025

The text reads: #Panamá Massive march of workers in rejection of the pension reform of the government of José Raúl Mulino, in addition to rejection of mining, defense of sovereignty and democracy.

Environmental Justice: Opposition to the Reopening of Cobre Panamá Mine

The government’s plan to reopen the Cobre Panamá copper mine, the largest open-pit mine in Central America, has ignited fierce resistance from workers and environmental activists. The mine was suspended in 2023 following mass protests and judicial intervention due to irregularities and environmental concerns.

The reopening plan contradicts global climate commitments and threatens local ecosystems and communities, especially amid ongoing World Climate Week discussions. This environmental struggle is tightly linked to the broader fight against neoliberal exploitation and resource plundering.

Día 25 de la HUELGA

Inicia la marcha de la dignidad
Suntracs presente junto al pueblo organizado.

23 de Mayo pic.twitter.com/wy1maXgHnz

— Suntracs Panama ⚒ (@SuntracsPanama) May 23, 2025

The text reads: Day 25 of the STRIKE
The march of dignity begins
Suntracs present alongside the organized people.
May 23

Despite the government’s deployment of police repression, arrests, and attempts to criminalize protest leaders,including union figures like Saúl Méndez seeking refuge due to threats,the movement persists and grows stronger. Social organizations denounce the establishment of a “police state” under Mulino’s administration, which violates democratic guarantees and suppresses dissent.

Union leaders emphasize the importance of solidarity across social sectors to reject political persecution and defend constitutional rights. The dignity and resolve of Panama’s workers are embodied in SUNTRACS’ declaration: “Their dignity is maximized when the fight is one of life or death. They can’t stop us”.

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