Economic Damages Of Road Closures in San Felix (Mining Protest)
The economic losses stemming from the 21 consecutive hours that the Inter American Highway has been closed due to protests has been quantified at more than $1.5 million dollars. Hundreds of protesting Indians have closed the road at the San Felix intersection. This was announced by Manuel Mora, the President of the National Chamber of Cargo Transportation (Canatraca), who said the greatest losses have been recorded in both domestic and international loads, primarily those which are transported from the province of Chiriqui to the regions of Panama City and Colon. "The deterioration of vegetables, milk and a variety of poultry products has reflected substantial losses," said Mora. As for the loads of cargo that come from Central America to Panama, the President of the Canatraca said these transactions have also been greatly affected, because such goods are moved only on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
MEASURES - So far the carriers have decided to approach the Land Transit and Transportation Authority (ATTT), to ask them to monitor everything that is happening on the Inter American Highway. "We call attention to the authorities so they can see the seriousness of the problem, for them to report on the situation," he added. The Indigenous people are calling a for a dialogue with the Government on the mining bill that is being discussed in the National Assembly. (Prensa)
Editor's Comment: The actual economic damages are way, way more than $1.5 million dollars. That's just what the transportation sector can put their finger on. It's much higher when you consider that this protest has basically cut the country in half, and no one can get from there to here and back again. Lost time, fuel, etc.
