BRIEFS. human rights

Indigenous groups mad about immigration

la prensa

Carrera Continental 20081118557

Jacinto Gómez, one of the coordinators of Carrera Continental 2008, which brought together representatives of 150 indigenous peoples of Latin America, was critical of the Panamanian government for blocking some of the group's members from entering the country.

He explained that Panama's immigration authorities prevented indigenous people from Peru and Ecuador from entering the country to attend the event, which was held last Friday at the Bridge of the Americas.

“It is an event that is recognized worldwide,” Gómez said. “They obviously do not want to stay in the country after attending an event that is held every four years.”

Immigration Director Taira Barsallo said that the people who were denied entry did not have the required visas, and that it was the fault of the conference organizers for not ensuring that attendees had their travel documents in order.