Juan Fagette, president of the Association of United Panamanian Afrodescendants, expressed deep concern over the possible eviction of small traders operating in the known Afro-Caribbean alleyway. This space, he highlighted, is part of the cultural and economic heritage of the Afro-descendant community in Panama. Fagette recalled that the organization was formed in 2017 with the goal of rescuing and showcasing the richness of Afro culture, especially in a stretch that runs from the Children's Park to the recently inaugurated Calypso Square. “That entire area represents our national cultural heritage,” he affirmed. The leader emphasized that Afro-descendant cuisine has not only historical value but has also become a tourist attraction. He indicated that visitors, even from the United States, come to the place to taste the culinary offering, which has generated economic sustenance for dozens of families. However, he warned that the actions being considered would directly affect these informal workers. “We are not opposed to development, but taking away the livelihood of these people without offering real alternatives is not feasible,” he stated. Fagette pointed out that so far they have not approached the Ministry of Public Works, even though the situation “has hardened” in recent days. He added that in previous administrations, they worked with the city hall on a project to remodel the area, which did not prosper. The leader also alerted to the social impact that an eventual eviction could generate. He recounted the case of a merchant with four school-aged children whose source of income depends on her stall in the area. “There is a social drama unfolding here,” he emphasized. Faced with this scenario, he announced that they are considering taking the case to the Public Defender's Office, as they consider it a human rights issue affecting a historically vulnerable population. Although they do not yet have exact figures on affected families, Fagette stated that they will begin an inventory to support future actions before entities such as the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Labor. He also recalled that the Afro-descendant population represents 31.7% of the country, according to the last national census. The community hopes that the authorities will open a dialogue channel that allows for balanced solutions, without sacrificing the livelihood of those who have made the Afro-Caribbean alleyway a living symbol of culture and identity.
