Moderators Moderator_02 Posted January 7, 2020 Moderators Share Posted January 7, 2020 Security Alert - U. S. Embassy Panama City, Panama (January 7, 2020) Location: Colon, Panama Event: Civil unrest is occurring in the northern city of Colon following protests related to high unemployment rates, affordable housing, community revitalization, and insecurity. Protesters blocked city streets in approximately six locations throughout the city of Colon, preventing vehicular traffic from entering the city from the highway and halting traffic within the city completely. Protesters lit tires on fire and began to clash with police. Unaffiliated criminal elements in the city began to loot stores, target drivers in traffic for armed robberies, and Panamanian police report two incidents in which police exchanged gunfire with criminals on city streets. As of 1300 hours local time, the protests continued. Multiple streets in Colon remain blocked as a result of the ongoing civil unrest, and protesters are calling for more demonstrations in the next 24 hours, which may lead to increased security issues as the evening falls on the city. U.S. Embassy Panama has prohibited the travel of all Embassy personnel to Colon until further notice. Actions to Take: Avoid the area of Colon until further notice. Assistance: U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama +507 317-5000 Panama-ACS@state.gov https://pa.usembassy.gov/ State Department - Consular Affairs +1 (888)407-4747 or +1 (202)501-4444 Panama Country Information Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted January 8, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted January 8, 2020 Quote Job and water protests bring chaos to Colon streets Posted 07/01/2020 Chaos reigned for nearly six hours in Colón on Tuesday, January 7 as protestors simultaneously closed key thoroughfares to demand drinking water, property titles and jobs The roads from early morning to noon, preventing departure and entry to the city With the burning of tires, banners, and slogans, the city’s Just Cause movement forced banks and businesses to close and delayed the departure of a German cruise ship. And ground trade to a halt in the Free Zone. The Association of Users of the Colon Free Zone, recalled that the Colon Free Zone is the main distribution center of the hemisphere providing income of more than $20 billion for the national economy. Shops of the town and the Colon Free Zone were affected because most of them have not been able to open their doors because their owners and employees were unable to reach their destinations. The National Police reinforced surveillance on the highway, where an assault was recorded. Two suspects were captured. Services at medical centers were affected because the staff were unable to arrive and the Judicial branch closed courts. The governor of Colon Iracema de Dale, regretted the closures when the extension of three more months of the emergency plan with 2,000 jobs was already announced. https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/job-and-water-protests-bring-chaos-to-colon-streets-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted January 31, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted January 31, 2020 Quote Security Alert - U. S. Embassy Panama City, Panama (January 31, 2020) Location: Colon, Panama Event: La Alianza Causa Justa Colon is advertising two days of protests in the Colon area, February 3-4. There is a likelihood of civil unrest and an increase in violent criminal activity typically associated with these types of protests. These protests will include the closure of major roads in/around the city. U.S. Embassy Panama has prohibited the travel of all Embassy personnel to Colon during the aforementioned dates. Actions to Take: Avoid the area of Colon February 3-4. Assistance: U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama +507 317-5000 Panama-ACS@state.gov https://pa.usembassy.gov/ State Department - Consular Affairs +1 (888)407-4747 or +1 (202)501-4444 Panama Country Information Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted February 5, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted February 5, 2020 Quote Subject: Message for U.S. Citizens: Colon Security Update (February 5, 2020) Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2020 16:47:14 -0500 From: Panama-ACS@state.gov Reply-To: Panama-ACS@state.gov Security Update - U. S. Embassy Panama City, Panama (February 5, 2020) Location: Colon, Panama Update: The prohibition on travel of U.S. Embassy personnel to Colon has been lifted. Please continue exercising normal precautions in Panama. Remember some areas have increased risks. Do NOT travel to parts of the Mosquito Gulf and Darien. To read the complete Panama travel advisory on Travel.State.Gov, please select the following link - Panama Country Information. Actions to Take: Keep a low profile. Be aware of your surroundings. Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists Review your personal security plans. Have travel documents up to date and easily accessible. Assistance: U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama +507 317-5000 Panama-ACS@state.gov https://pa.usembassy.gov/ State Department - Consular Affairs +1 (888)407-4747 or +1 (202)501-4444 Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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