Protest risks will endure in Panama

Significance

Nationwide protests have put the Cortizo administration under severe pressure, disrupting transportation of goods both domestically and to neighbouring countries. Most road blocks have reportedly been lifted since the agreement, allowing supply chain operations to resume.

Impacts

• Concerns about public spending will increase calls for more anti-corruption initiatives and transparency.
• Excessive deployment of road blocks would risk undermining public sympathy for protest groups and reducing their effectiveness.
• Heavy-handed policing in any future unrest would risk compounding anger against the state and strengthening protester resolve.