Panama and San Miguelito municipalities evict food kiosks from public areas. The municipalities of Panama and San Miguelito carried out eviction operations against food kiosks located in areas considered for public use in actions that first impacted traders installed in front of the National Oncology Institute and later, vendors occupying the Brisas del Golf park. Both procedures were carried out with police support, municipal trucks, and technical personnel, generating complaints from merchants who claim to have been operating in the locations for decades. Eviction in front of the Oncology Institute (Municipality of Panama) Merchants with 20 to 30 years of permanence around the National Oncology Institute were notified of eviction by the Municipality of Panama, the Ministry of Public Works (MOP), and the Peace Court, considering that the kiosks are within a public easement. Those affected explained that they provide food to both patients and residents of the sector and that the measure took them by surprise. "It's as if a stranger came to your house and told you that you have to leave without any order," said one of the merchants, who also assured that they pay municipal taxes and have their documentation up to date. MOP officials indicated that the action responds to a request from the Metropolitan Health Region, after warnings about possible insanitary and pollution problems associated with the location of the stalls. "The recommendation was to safeguard the easement." Eviction in the Brisas del Golf Park (Municipality of San Miguelito) In parallel, the Municipality of San Miguelito carried out an operation in the Brisas del Golf park, in the Rufina Alfaro district, where several food kiosks occupied areas intended for community use without permits or formal concessions. According to the municipal report, the merchants did not have a permit for the use of the park, licensed easement, or administrative authorization, even though some had been installed for years with tolerance from previous administrations. Under police surveillance, municipal personnel removed zinc sheets, shelves, and makeshift structures, while the vendors watched the dismantling. One of those affected complained about lack of notification. "I have been here for 18 years and I find out about a demolition action without having been notified," he stated. The Municipality announced that after the eviction, the area will be recovered to become community recreation spaces, eliminating the commercial occupation that prevented residents from using the park.
