Violent Protests Leave At Least One Dead in Bocas del Toro

At least one man is dead and more than 100 injured in the clash between striking banana plantation workers and anti-riot police in Bocas del Toro.

The banana plantation workers began protesting last week against a new union restrictions packaged in the recently passed Law 30, also popularly known as the “9 in 1″  law.

The Ministry of Health and the National Police confirmed the dead man man as banana union leader Antonio Smith. Union leaders counter that four people have been killed, and union financial secretary Samuel Quintero said the protests would continue until the government repeals Law 30 and modifies the work code.

“We are sleeping in the streets and are not leaving,” he said.  ”The Government has to understand that they made a mistake and have to correct it.”

Yesterday afternoon, two private planes landed in Changuinola with police reinforcements.  Minister to the Presidency Jimmy Papadimitriu, who traveled to Bocas del Toro to negotiate, said that it’s a misunderstanding and that the law is being misinterpreted.

Protester Burns Martinelli Cap at road block PHOTO La Prensa

La Prensa and Associated Press report.