Teachers, students, and graduates of the University of Panama demonstrated in the capital to defend university autonomy and national sovereignty. The march, led by Rector Eduardo Flores Castro, gathered thousands of participants who traversed the city with slogans against police repression and foreign military interference in Panama.
During the mobilization, Flores Castro recalled the crucial role that the university has played in historic moments of the nation, highlighting its defense of democracy and autonomy. He emphasized the importance of the university as a space for resistance and consensus building, mentioning its support for significant national causes over the years.
In his speech, the rector rejected the accusations of terrorism against the University of Panama and stated that Panama's sovereign demands are not new but have been developing for decades. He recalled episodes in which the university community took to the streets to defend territorial integrity and oppose various reforms and treaties they considered harmful to the country.
Additionally, Flores Castro offered the University of Panama as a mediator to foster solutions to the social security crisis and requested the Supreme Court to invalidate a Memorandum of Understanding that he considers a violation of the Neutrality Treaty of the interoceanic route and the existing constitutional norms.
The march concluded with a call for dignity and commitment, emphasizing that the University of Panama is the voice of the people and not their enemy. At the same time, groups of workers and teachers who participated in the national strike promised to remain vigilant against the government's intimidation actions, reaffirming that they seek to be the voice of those who have no voice and are not criminals.
