US military planes arrive in Panama, chancellor justifies

Panama City, March 24^th. -Amid protests against a social security law and tensions between Panama and the United States, Southern Command aircraft arrived in the isthmus today, while the Foreign Ministry justified the action, condemned by popular movements.

According to a State Department press release, from this Monday until mid-April, U.S. aircraft and helicopters, in coordination with the Panamanian Ministry of Security, will participate in humanitarian assistance and security programs.

Members of the Southern Command and their teams will be deployed to remote areas of the Panama Canal and will conduct joint surveillance exercises, the statement said.

This group assigned three UH-60 (Black Hawk) helicopters, an HH-60 (Black Hawk) helicopter modified for medical assistance, as well as two C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft for these operations.

Speaking to TVN's Radar program, Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha went so far as to say that ties with Washington are sound, very intense, and sometimes complex, as has been the case at different times during the Republic.

"We maintain the highest level of cooperation in matters of security, humanitarian aid, and cyber cooperation," he emphasized.

Regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated threats to retake the Panama Canal, even without ruling out the use of force, the diplomat reiterated that the interoceanic waterway is not up for discussion, as it is and will remain Panamanian, without offering details of how they will confront these attacks, which for now are verbal.

The Canal is operated by Panamanians, is efficient, and serves international trade in a very professional manner. There is no foreign interference whatsoever, he emphasized.

However, at rallies across the country, members of the United People for Life alliance questioned why, instead of unitedly confronting the Republican magnate's threats, the Executive branch is passing Law 462, which harms workers and their families by establishing the privatization of the state-owned Social Security Fund (CSS).

The groups also announced a march next Thursday to the National Assembly (parliament) to reject the law establishing what they call the robbery of the century, which allows the transfer of CSS resources to banks and private pension administrators.

Among other actions, a meeting of the leaders of the various organizations is planned for this Saturday to decide on new pressure measures, including an indefinite national strike.

The protests also reject the government's intention to reopen the Donoso copper mine (Colón) despite a Supreme Court ruling ordering the closure of operations following intense protests in November 2023.

The day before, a group of citizens participated in a vigil called "For Our Water," held on the Cinta Costera in this capital, in protest of mining activity in the country, following Mulino's announcement that internal discussions would begin this week regarding the situation at Minera Panamá, a subsidiary of the Canadian Multinational First Quantum.

On another note, it was revealed that the alliance, through lawyers, filed a partial unconstitutionality claim against the recently passed Law 462 before the Supreme Court of Justice.

The appeal, filed by attorney Martín Molina, seeks to have Article 48, paragraph 11, of that law declared unconstitutional. This article establishes the 6.75 percent discount on retirees' pensions. (Text and photo: PL)