Transportation

Three protests close highway

MAYDEÉ ROMERO/LA PRENSA

one of monday’s protests1099850

The Pan-American Highway between Panama City and the Darién was blocked in three places yesterday by protesters.

At Felipillo, about 40 people closed the road from 7:15 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. after the killing of a Manzana No.2 man Saturday by an agent of the Policía Nacional. That incident took place Saturday.

In Chepo, some 60 people blocked the street for three and a half hours demanding the construction of streets and the expansion of water service to the communities of Brisas del Naranjal, San Juan de Dios and Altos del Espavé.

The road was reopened when Jorge Pitalúa, director of maintenance for the Ministerio de Obras Públicas, promised the residents that he would respond to their concerns today.

Residents of Tortí, on the border of the provinces of Panama and the Darién, closed the road for seven hours to protest the lack of electrical service in their community.

Officials with the Rural Electrification department said they would meet today with residents to attempt to resolve the problem.