A group of dump truck and truck owners from the provinces of Herrera and Los Santos held a peaceful protest this Thursday with a partial road closure at the intersection of San Luis in Los Santos. Gathered in the area where the Los Santos-Macaracas road project is being built, the truckers protested to demand their inclusion in the works carried out in the region. According to them, they have exhausted all attempts to communicate with authorities and contractors, without obtaining a favorable response that would allow them to work in the area where the projects are being carried out. They assure that, despite being legally constituted, they continue to be excluded while hiring trucks from other provinces. "We have waited patiently for them to consider us in the State's projects. This is a project longed for by the community, but we, the local transporters, have been left out. Our trucks have been displaced," said Rigoberto Escobar, leader of the cargo transporters. Those affected pointed out that this situation directly impacts their family economy, as many have financial commitments and depend exclusively on transporting materials to survive. They also stated that local labor has also been relegated, as contractors "bring in personnel from outside," reducing job opportunities for residents of the Azuero region. "We need support. We always talk to the authorities and they ask us to wait, but in the meantime others work and we just watch," added the leader. In turn, Agapito Domínguez, a member of the group, explained that they have formally organized into an association with the aim of operating under clear rules and in unity, seeking to give priority to the local community in the projects developed in the area. The transporters called on the authorities and contracting companies to establish a dialogue that allows for equitable participation, and warned that they will continue with their pressure measures if they are not heard. It is our way of life.
