The Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI) denounces the new escalation of political persecution against SUNTRACS, the National Union of Construction Workers (SUNTRACS) of Panama.

On 27 October 2025, 17 search and arrest warrants were executed in the houses of executives and family members; among the detainees are Abdiel Bethancourt, José Palacio, Kathia Caballero, and María Isabel Cordero.

The actions also reached the family of Saúl Mendez, a union leader currently exiled.

These prisons constitute a direct violation of ILO Conventions 87 and 98 and violate the recommendations of the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association (Report no. 409, Case no. 3456), which had already determined the release of SUNTRACS funds and protection for its leaders.

SUNTRACS, a union with 53 years of democratic and solidarity struggle, is under attack for defending the rights of workers and the Panamanian people.

We demand:

• An immediate end to political persecution and repression
• The release of the detained leaders and their families.
• Full reparation to the victims

Read and disseminate the complete BWI Statement (attached in PT, ES, and EN).

We denounce the repression and demand the immediate release of unionists and their families!

Stop the repression! International solidarity with SUNTRACS!