Civil organizations in Panama advance in negotiations with the Government on the price of fuel

Anadepo announces that it will not sign an agreement until the prices of food and medicine are discussed

MADRID, 17 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Government of Panama has agreed to set the price of a gallon (3.8 liters) of fuel at around 3.30 euros (B/.3.32 in local currency), after civil organizations refused to freeze the price at 3.4 Panamanian balboas.

This measure is a proposal of the National Alliance for the Rights of the Organized People (Anadepo). However, the members of the organization have indicated that they will not sign an agreement until progress is made in the negotiations on the price of basic foods and medicines.

"We want to go out telling the people that there are thirty, forty products that are going to be frozen, but without affecting the producer, that is what we want, we are not going to sign anything even if we agree with the price of fuel at 3.32, they have to bring immediate answers," said Luis Sánchez, representative of Anadepo.

The Vice President of Panama, José Gabriel Carrizo, has reported that on Saturday night the issue of the price of basic foods would be analyzed with government technicians, while on Sunday morning the cost of medicines would be addressed.

In the previous days, the citizen associations refused to sit down at the table with the Government to find solutions in the context of the country's protests over the misuse of public finances and the high cost of living.

The demonstrators, protesting the high prices of fuel and basic products, as well as the mismanagement of public finances, have blocked streets and some of the main access roads to urban centers.

The National Assembly of Panama announced last Wednesday a nine-point austerity plan that contemplates the suspension of trips and displacements -- both outside and inside Panama -- of members of the Government and other high officials.

Other measures are the freezing of salary increases and new appointments, training days, advertising services, as well as the purchase of equipment and material for the institutions.