Panama’s Indigenous And Civil Movements Under Siege
A wave of protests across Panama has led to the widespread use of chemical agents, and growing calls for international oversight.
The catalyst is Law 462, a recent reform to the country’s Social Security Fund. The government says the law is necessary to fix a system under financial strain. But many Panamanians see it as a threat to healthcare access and economic security—especially for workers, students, and Indigenous communities.
Protesters have been organizing for weeks with teachers, unions, students, and Indigenous peoples forming a broad coalition. They argue Law 462 reflects a deeper pattern of cuts to public services and the erosion of democratic rights.