Evictions Make Way for Investment in Bay of Montijo

Resolution Number 5 dated February 22nd, 2010 begins:  ”At the request of his Excellency Mr. President” and ends with an immediate eviction notice for coastal Veraguas residents who cannot present proper title documentation to land around the Bay of Montijo.

So far, 25 families, who say they have lived there for over 50 years, have been pushed out of their homes, reports La Prensa.  Among the cases are Leonardo and Maria Espinoza, age 70 and 65 respectively, whose house was razed a day after the signing of the resolution..

“They arrived with a chainsaw and sawed the pilings off the house,” Mrs Espinoza told La Prensa. “What they have done to us is a social injustice.”

Juday Meana, a government spokesperson, explained that “the eviction was ordered because private properties had been invaded, where a businessman is going to invest $50 million.”

Defenders of the residents say that the Governor of Veraguas cannot legally order this type of measure and that the President’s constitutional powers to not include ordering evictions.  The residents will present a criminal complaint against the Governor for abuse of power and functions.

Incidentally, President Martinelli’s hometown, Sona, is in the Province of Veraguas.

Map of Panama's Veraguas Province