US EditionLeader of powerful Panamanian union scales embassy wall, requests asylum from Bolivia
- Saúl Méndez, secretary general of Panama's national construction workers union, climbed the Bolivian embassy wall on May 21, 2025, in Panama City to request political asylum.
- This action followed a three-year government investigation into the union's alleged financial mismanagement and the cancellation of its legal status for lacking internal controls to prevent money laundering.
- Méndez had led weeks of protests against Panama's social security reforms and a U.S. security agreement, while union leader Jaime Caballero was arrested earlier on money laundering charges.
- Bolivia’s representative to Panama, Carlos Javier Suárez Cornejo, reported that Méndez was granted temporary protection while his case was under review, as Panama’s government maintains that the reforms are essential to preserve social security funding and do not compromise the country’s sovereignty.
- After the asylum request, protests continued with reduced roadblocks, indicating ongoing tensions around the social security overhaul and union leadership legal issues.
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16 Articles
Panamanian Union Leader Saul Mendez Requests Asylum in Bolivian Embassy - teleSUR English
The National Union of Construction Workers faces government crackdown. On Wednesday, the National Union of Workers of Construction and Similar Industries (SUNTRACS) said it is the target of a government crackdown under President Jose Mulino. RELATED: Panama Protests: University Students Mobilize for National Autonomy and Sovereignty SUNTRACS Undersecretary Yamir Cordoba denounced what he described as “lawfare” and hate-driven actions against uni…
The main trade union of Panama requested asylum at the Bolivian Embassy after another leader was arrested, among protests against the government.
Panama City. Panama’s leading union leader asked for asylum on Wednesday at the Bolivian embassy following the arrest of another union leader in a context of protests against President José Raúl Mulino, authorities reported. The powerful construction union Suntras maintains a strong pulse with the Panamanian government for a pension reform, among other things. Saul Méndez made the decision to asylum after the authorities closed a union cooperati…
Associated Press News
Leader of powerful Panamanian union scales embassy wall, requests asylum from Bolivia
A leader of Panama’s most powerful union, a driving force for weeks of street protests against social security reforms, has climbed an embassy wall and requested political asylum from Bolivia.
The headquarters of the Sindicato Único Nacional de Trabajadores de la Construcción y Similares (Suntras) of Panama was raided on Wednesday, while the Prosecutor's Office issued arrest warrants against the union's secretary general, Saul Méndez, the former secretary general, Genaro López and Erasmus Cerrud, one of the current secretaries of the entity.
The Washington Hispanic
El UniversoPanama’s leading trade union leader asked for asylum at the Bolivian embassy on Wednesday following the arrest of another union leader in a context of protests against President José Raúl Mulino. The powerful Suntrac construction union maintains a strong press with the Panamanian government for a pension reform, among other issues. Saul Méndez made the decision to asylum after the government closed a Suntracs cooperative and arrested Jaime Cabal…
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