Mulino labeled Suntrac as a "union mafia" and claimed that it is no longer a union, having lost that status long ago.
President José Raúl Mulino strongly criticized the National Union of Construction and Related Industry Workers (Suntracs), asserting that he will not allow the labor group to hold the country hostage again. He labeled Suntracs a “union mafia,” claiming it has long ceased to function as a legitimate union. “I will reveal the true nature of the construction union we have, which pretends to support producers and construction workers while promoting development,” he stated. He pointed to Chiriquà leader Jaime Caballero, who is currently under investigation for alleged money laundering, as an example. “And there are more to come,” he warned.
The chief executive accused Suntracs of being the only union that, rather than safeguarding jobs, "promotes unemployment." He emphasized the government's and security forces' efforts to ensure connectivity across the country, particularly in Panama and Colón, despite the operational challenges posed by the protests. "That's the cost of maintaining public order," he stated. Mulino also underscored the need to listen to the productive sectors and residents in the interior who are affected by the blockades. "I must also consider those who are unable to attend their appointments due to traffic congestion. For all those individuals, we need to keep these routes open," he concluded.
