On the eve of his bid to become the Panamenista Party presidential candidate, Mayor Jose, Isobel Blandon got a strong heads up from merchants on Via Argentina, claiming that there have been over 40 bankruptcies on the once-booming thoroughfare since the start of his much-vaunted rehabilitation scheme.

On Friday, October 26, they gathered in El Cangejo to protest the inconveniences and financial hardships, caused by the slow pace of work and disruption in the sector.

The group insists that it is not opposed to restorations and repairs on the road and public services, but to the way it has been done,

They also wonder who will pay them compensation for the damage they have caused them and pointing out that even some survivors have had to reduce the staff of their shops.

Luis García Eliseo Hernández, one of the merchants told La Prensa that nobody is opposed to the project, "what we oppose is the way and manner in which it is being built". Hernandez said that it is leading to the abyss, not only for the community but also for businesses.

Over  40 shops have declared bankruptcy and he warned that there are lung problems among residents.