The declaration of a state of emergency in the banana-producing region comes in the context of a series of mass protests as part of a national strike that began in April. The strike was called for by trade unions and social organizations to protest a pension reform law (Law 462), which reduces the amount of money retirees receive and opens the door to the privatization of social security; the security agreements between Washington and Panama which, among other things, could involve the installation of several US military bases; and to protest the possible reopening of a mining megaproject that sparked major controversy in the Central American country a few years ago. The protests have been carried out by unions, student associations, teachers, doctors, and other social groups.

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