Panama's Minister of Labor Demands Dissolution of Suntracs Union

The Minister of Labor filed a lawsuit for the dissolution of the Suntracs union, considering that it has completely distorted its original purpose of defending Panamanian workers. For the minister, Suntracs stopped putting the worker first the moment it started closing streets, throwing blocks, and acting with violence. 'The union is the most solidary way to support workers and make economic, political agreements,' according to Muñoz. She stated that although the union held a National General Assembly and announced the election of a new board of directors, these changes do not meet the requirements, so they cannot be officially recognized. Initially, Méndez took refuge in the Bolivian embassy in Panama, requesting political asylum. After receiving asylum, Méndez traveled to Bolivia, however, he stayed there for a short time, as he left the country, thus renouncing the international protection he had been granted for political reasons. The Single National Union of Workers in the Construction Industry and Similar (Suntracs) has not been dissolved because Saúl Méndez continues to be its general secretary, reported the Minister of Labor and Labor Development, Jackeline Muñoz. The minister indicated that Suntracs is not a union, but a group of people that distorted the reality of an association that defends the interests of workers. Currently, Saúl Méndez's whereabouts are unknown. Subsequently, Interpol activated a red alert against Méndez, who is wanted by the authorities for the alleged crimes of aggravated fraud, criminal association, money laundering, and document forgery. 'To deprioritize everything for the benefit of the people, of the Panamanian,' expressed Muñoz on the Open Debate program.