2022 Panamanian protests

In July 2022, protests broke out in Panama. They were reportedly triggered by rising inflation, corruption, and a cost of living crisis. The economy has suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russo-Ukrainian War. On 18 July, Panama City saw the country's largest protest. President Laurentino Cortizo's government deal to cut fuel prices was rejected by trade unions. Protestors blocked sections of the transcontinental Pan-American Highway. On 27 July, security minister Juan Manuel Pino Forero said that the roads were clear for the first time. On 2 August, the teachers strike concluded.

Background
The government initially selectively froze fuel for collective and selective transportation carriers at US$3.95/gallon at the start of June; they subsequently extended the price freeze to transporters of agricultural cargo. After this price freeze, the National Assembly celebrated the re-election of its president, Crispiano Adames. This joined a long list of other complaints of corruption which have not been investigated by the corresponding authorities, like the approval of the re-election of the rector of the Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí or the supposed nepotism in the management of the Assembly payroll, among others.