International

More than 480 arrested during protests in Panama for Social Security reforms

More than 480 people were arrested this Wednesday in Panama during violent protests in rejection of a Social Security reform project, triggering clashes between the police and the demonstrators that left at least 16 injured.

The director of the National Police (PN) of Panama, Jaime Fernández, reported in a press conference that there are “more than 480 people detained”, after an “unprecedented escalation of violence” this morning, which left a balance of damage “to the national police and its resources” in the amount of “267,000 dollars”.

In addition to being injured, “16 units of the National Police”, two of which hit with blunt objects (blocks, screws and steel bars among others) thrown by the demonstrators from the top of a tower under construction of a public hospital for children, where they entrenched themselves.

The Single Union of Workers in the Construction and Similar Industry (Suntracs) blocked a section of the maritime avenue, one of the main arteries of Panama City, and other key points of the capital in rejection of the bill that reforms the Social Security Fund (CSS), under discussion in the Legislature.

Previously, the police director had pointed out, in statements to journalists, that “they have had to set up a special prison” because they are going to “judicialize” “all” the demonstrators, including the “union leaders”, within the framework of respect for due process, he said.

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The president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, described it as “intolerable” that the work of the pediatric hospital is used as a “barricade of union terrorists to subvert public order” and asked for the action of the Prosecutor’s Office with “all the weight of the law.” After that, the Prosecutor’s Office initiated an “ex officio investigation” for these acts.

For his part, Saúl Méndez, the leader of Suntracs – the most powerful union in the country – said in a video broadcast by his official channels that his protest was “peaceful” and regretted that he was “repressed” in the area of the hospital under construction, which was “besieged”.

Student protests have also been reported in front of the University of Panama, which canceled classes for this Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Parliament discussed two bills (independent of each other) on the Social Security Fund of Panama, key to the economic future of that entity, submerged for years in an administrative and financial crisis, which could liquidate one of the two pension subsystems.

The deputies have already approved the first of them that authorizes the Executive the transfer of 91 million dollars as “extraordinary funds” to “partially reinforce the costs” of the retirements corresponding to this month of February, according to official information.

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And they discuss in the second of the three mandatory debates, another bill, broader and of greater importance, that reforms Panamanian Social Security after months of discussion by blocks in the parliamentary health commission in the face of the difficulties requested by the Panamanian president and other social sectors.

This bill is a proposal of the Executive made in consensus by dialogue tables with economic, trade union and social sectors. The original document included a three-year increase in the retirement age – up to 65 for men and 60 for women – and 3% of the employer’s quota, among others.

However, the deputies of the commission overturned the article that raised the retirement age, one of the points most rejected by the parliamentarians, unions and the population, and increased the annual contribution of the Executive to 1.4 billion dollars compared to the 1.2 billion dollars proposed by the Government.

The hemicycle, composed of 71 seats, will hold two rounds of discussions in this second phase with half an hour of pleading for each deputy, so the debate could last approximately two weeks, according to an official source told EFE.

This proposal to change Social Security has raised controversy in Panama with some demonstrations in the streets in recent months, a wide public debate and requests for specific modifications by private companies.

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International

Mexico City Mayor Invites U2 to Perform at Iconic Zócalo Plaza

Irish rock band U2, which spent Tuesday and Wednesday filming a new music video for its song Street of Dreams in the Historic Center of Mexico City, received an invitation to perform at the capital’s iconic Zócalo square from Mayor Clara Brugada.

Brugada shared the invitation through social media posts accompanied by photos and a video showing her meeting with the band members.

“This is an invitation for you to perform in our wonderful public square, the Zócalo. You are welcome here, and we would love to have you,” Brugada said in the video while handing a document to Bono, the band’s lead singer.

Bono responded by saying that the group would like “to begin its new tour in Mexico City.”

Referencing one of the band’s most famous songs, In the Name of Love, Brugada said she was greeting Bono along with The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr..

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“Welcoming U2 to our capital means celebrating music, connection and the emotion that can be felt in every corner of this city,” Brugada wrote in one of her messages. “We are a city open to the world, vibrant and full of stories shared from the stage to the streets.”

She also described the Zócalo as “the country’s most important public square” and a cultural landmark for Latin America.

Over the years, the Zócalo has hosted massive concerts by internationally renowned artists and bands including Roger Waters, Paul McCartney, Manu Chao, Café Tacvba, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Los Tigres del Norte, La Maldita Vecindad, Silvio Rodríguez, Joan Manuel Serrat, Rosalía and Shakira, drawing hundreds of thousands of fans.

International

Marco Rubio Urges China to Help Restrain Iran Amid Gulf Tensions

Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Washington hopes to persuade China to take a more active role in stopping Iran from escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, arguing that the crisis directly threatens Asian commercial interests.

“It is in China’s interest to resolve this situation. We hope to convince them to play a more active role in getting Iran to stop what it is doing now and trying to do in the Persian Gulf,” Rubio said during an interview with journalist Sean Hannity on Fox News while traveling aboard Air Force One.

The top U.S. diplomat said the conflict and concerns over the possible disruption of the Strait of Hormuz have already affected China’s interests.

Rubio noted that “a Chinese cargo ship was struck over the weekend,” referring to the exchange of attacks reported last Friday between Iran and the United States.

The remarks come amid growing international concern over rising tensions in the region and the potential impact on global trade routes and energy supplies.

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International

Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.

Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.

“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”

The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.

He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.

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“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.

So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.

Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.

Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.