Things appear to be winding down. 25 ambulances have been dispatched to Chiriqui. One death has been confirmed. The deceased is Guillermo Moctezuma, and no further comments have been made regarding whether or not he is one of the indigenous chiefs. One report indicates an autopsy will be done to determine cause of death, but other reports confirm a gunshot wound. Two confirmed injuries---one a bullet to the gluteus and the other an injured finger due to being struck by a rock. Another indian chieftess was located by a TV chanel and indicated there were "many injuries and many deaths" but she was unable to confirm or provide numbers because she couldn't communicate with her people or the areas affected.
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Things started changing as I was writing this. Veraquas has been restored, according to the governor of the province, and Tole is clearing, but areas further north are reacting. Altamirante, Miraflores, Changinola, and Bocas del Toro sectors are getting involved and closing roadways. Trees are being fallen to block the road and people are throwing rocks at cars traveling the roadway. The last caller indicated the roadway is very unstable at this time. The security minister continues to insist the television transmissions are false. The television station admitted that images being transmitted were made yesterday when the last fly over of the area was permitted by the government. The air space to the affected areas has been closed since. The press has been unable to corroborate much received information due to government suspension of telecommunications and air space.
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A citizen of the town of San Felix called the television station to indicate that two young people on a motorcycle were critically injured along the roadway and that police are indiscriminately throwing tear gas bombs in the town center, affecting children, old people, and other non-involved residents. He begged the station to implore the government to stop. He had to leave the area to call in and stated that townspeople are fleeing San Felix.
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A police chief from Los Ruices was interviewed and stated the police did not and aren't permitted to use firearms against the crowd and that the protestors are delinquents. (The TV images taken yesterday and transmitted this morning showed policemen firing toward the crowd.)
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A TV reporter in San Felix indicates that tear gas bombs are continuing to be fired in the town center, by the bank, health center, and school, despite denials by politicians and the security minister. The TV announcer requested a response from the security minister, who hasn't yet called in. Activities continue re: blocking the roadway further north. Blockages have been effected at the Changuinola bridge.
