AS PANAMA readied itself for the Independence Day celebrations, business leaders and civil society associations continued to deliver the “no to corruption and impunity” message voiced by a gathering of hundreds of protesters on Calle 50 on Tuesday, Oct 31.

During a ceremony held at the headquarters, of the  Panamanian Association of Business Executives (Apede), on Wednesday the group’s president  Héctor Cotes, said that the country’s justice system is in crisis and the voices of everyone need to be heard as people without justice are condemned to impunity and a bleak future.

He said the citizen protest on Tuesday over the possibility that the cases of corruption and money laundering being investigated go unpunished.

was "a loud and clear message from the Panamanian people who will not tolerate more impunity or corruption.”

Similar messages, photos and videos appeared on social media.

Prosperity and Justice
"The Panama we want is the one where prosperity and justice reign," said, Inocencio Galindo De Obarrio, president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and  Agriculture.

"We aim  to correct with determination any act that tarnishes growth and our national identity, so that the image of the country transcends borders due to its dynamism competitiveness and transparency in the actions of its leaders, as well as in the management of all sectors to conserve Panama as a destination for economic and social development, "he added.

In recent days there have been multiple demonstrations calling for justice and a halt to corruption.

The protests have taken place after the Twelfth Court denied extending the time to the Special Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office to continue investigating the Odebrecht bribery case