Fishermen do not rule out a strike and ask for the resignation of the director of the ARAP, Flor Torrijos

A national call to protest and strike has been made by members of the Vacamonte Fishermen’s Association, who assure that authorities such as the Aquatic Resources Authority (ARAP) and the Ministry of Agricultural Development (Mida) have failed to face this country’s food sector.
This was stated by Gustavo Batista, leader of the fishing sector, when he denounced that the fuel price subsidy has not been applied to them, in addition to the fact that fishing permits have been revoked, and despite the fact that they have met on 4 occasions with members of the ARAP the director Flor Torrijos has not attended any of the meetings to give them an answer.
He explained that the Fishermen are buying the fuel at $4 and $5 dollars, while the rest of the sectors obtain it at $3.25.
“We are the only ones in Panama that have not been included in the oil subsidy, but when there was a pandemic, President Nito Cortizo asked us not to abandon the food chain, we work with Covid to be able to supply fish to Panamanian families and now that we need of him, he turns his back on us,” he said.
“They took away our fish license and what she did has caused prices to skyrocket in Panama,” he added.
He reiterated that for October 1, in the district of Aguadulce, province of Coclé, they will have a meeting of the fishing unions at the national level where they will be detailing the actions to be followed and will even request the resignation of the administrator of ARAP Flor Torrijos if they do not has a timely response.