Statement of the AU

It is necessary for the Colon Free Zone Users’Association to stress to all the people of Colon, the Active Forces of Colon, organized guilds of Colon Province and all the Panamanian people, the following:

We condemn all acts of violence and excessive use of force, so we call for its immediate termination.

The AU did not ask for the sale of land in the Colon Free Zone, as has been stated in the past, but we believe there is a need to update legislation, without affecting the assets of the State or the people of Colon, preserving the spirit of free enterprise and contributing to the overall development of the Province of Colon and the rest of the country.

The Colon Free Zone is a pillar of the national economy whose companies generate more than 30,000 direct jobs and provide more than $100 million annually to State coffers.

The AU is in solidarity with the Colon people in demanding peace and sanity for the sake of our province and the Panamanian nation.

We therefore reiterate our call for dialogue with the good faith of all parties.

Colon Free Zone Users’ Association

Declaration made in the City of Colon, October 23, 2012.