Project 1B

Para el presidente José Raúl Mulino que no termine el paro en el sector bananero en la provincia de Bocas del Toro es el cuello de botella en la negociación con el Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Industria del Banano y Empresas Afines (Sitraibana). 

“Si no levantan el paro, no habrá ley”, enfatizó Mulino este 30 de mayo en su conferencia matutina de los jueves al ser consultado por La Estrella de Panamá sobre el cuello de botella en la solución de esta huelga que tiene 31 días. 

Sitraibana decretó la huelga este 28 de mayo debido a una supuesta afectación en la ley que regula el sector bananero. 

De acuerdo con los sindicalistas, las reformas a la Ley No. 462, que regula la Caja de Seguro Social, afecta sus conquistas plasmadas en la Ley No. 45.

 “Al minuto que levantan los paros de forma permanente esa ley va para la Asamblea, no voy a mandar una ley cuando Bocas del Toro, Changuinola, sigue trancado”, dijo el mandatario.Mulino planteó que han conversado con el secretario general de Sitraibana, Francisco Smith, sobre que debe levantar el paro y abrir las vías y “nosotros cumpliremos nuestra palabra” sobre el envío de la ley a la Asamblea Nacional. 

“La palabra mía empeñada vale”, insistió. 

Este 28 de mayo el sindicato decidió por abrir las vías por tres horas en la mañana y tres en la tarde, lo cual fue alabado por el presidente.

 La comisión especial formada para atender esta crisis viajará este viernes 30 de mayo a Isla Colón para analizar con los comerciantes y empresarios como ha afectado la huelga al movimiento comercial. 

Además, este lunes 2 de junio la comisión viajará a la ciudad de Changuinola con la intención de reunirse con los miembros de Sitraibana.

Para el presidente José Raúl Mulino, la continuidad del paro en el sector bananero en la provincia de Bocas del Toro representa el principal obstáculo en el proceso de diálogo con el Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Industria del Banano y Empresas Afines (Sitraibana).

“Si no se levanta el paro, no habrá ley”, recalcó Mulino este 30 de mayo durante su rueda de prensa matutina de los jueves, al responder a La Estrella de Panamá sobre el punto crítico que impide resolver la huelga, la cual ya suma 31 días.

El sindicato Sitraibana inició la huelga el pasado 28 de mayo, alegando que se ven perjudicados por una ley que regula la actividad bananera.

Según los representantes sindicales, las modificaciones a la Ley No. 462, que regula la Caja de Seguro Social, afectan los derechos que ya habían logrado con la Ley No. 45.

“En el momento en que se suspendan los paros de manera definitiva, la ley será enviada a la Asamblea. No enviaré ninguna propuesta mientras Bocas del Toro, especialmente Changuinola, permanezca bloqueado”, advirtió el presidente.
Mulino explicó que han mantenido conversaciones con el secretario general de Sitraibana, Francisco Smith, a quien le han pedido que se levante el paro y se habiliten las vías, prometiendo que “cumpliremos con nuestra palabra” en cuanto al envío del proyecto a la Asamblea Nacional.

“El compromiso que asumo tiene valor”, reiteró.

El 28 de mayo, el sindicato permitió la apertura de las vías por tres horas en la mañana y tres en la tarde, medida que fue bien recibida por el presidente.

Una comisión especial creada para atender esta situación viajará este viernes 30 de mayo a Isla Colón, con el objetivo de dialogar con comerciantes y empresarios sobre los efectos de la huelga en la actividad económica.

Además, este lunes 2 de junio, la comisión se trasladará a Changuinola para reunirse con los miembros de Sitraibana.

A graduation speech at George Washington University has resulted in the graduate being banned from the campus after she used the platform to criticize the university’s ties to Israel and express support for Palestinians. 

During Saturday’s commencement for the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, part of GWU in Washington, DC, graduating senior Cecilia Culver delivered remarks to the graduating class of nearly 750. 

Culver condemned the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza, criticized GWU’s connections to Israel, and urged the audience to withhold donations from the college and push for financial transparency, as well as for the college to divest from Israeli-linked companies.

 “I am ashamed to know my tuition [fee] is being used to fund this genocide,” Culver said from the stage. “I call upon the class of 2025 to withhold donations and continue advocating for disclosure and divestment.” 

University officials later said Culver had not followed her pre-approved remarks. They later announced she would be barred from campus and university-sponsored events.

“The speaker’s conduct during Saturday’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences celebration event was inappropriate and dishonest: the speaker submitted and recited in rehearsal very different remarks than those she delivered at the ceremony,” the school said in a statement. “The speaker has been barred from all GW’s campuses and sponsored events elsewhere.” 

GWU also issued an apology, saying the speech had disrupted what was meant to be a celebratory occasion. 

The incident has since gone viral, with one video of the speech gaining more than 1 million views. Many have praised Culver for taking a stand on behalf of Palestinians, but others have criticized her for “politicizing” a graduation ceremony.

At the event, many graduates loudly applauded and cheered for Culver, with several giving her a standing ovation. Associate dean Kavita Daiya also acknowledged her speech, saying the college supports diverse perspectives. Culver was also receiving a distinguished scholar award at the ceremony. 

Culver said in an interview with The GW Hatchet that “there was just never any point where I was not going to say something”.

A graduating student at George Washington University has been banned from campus after using her commencement speech to denounce the university’s connections to Israel and express solidarity with the Palestinian people.

During Saturday’s graduation ceremony for the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, a division of GWU in Washington, DC, senior student Cecilia Culver addressed an audience of nearly 750 graduates.

In her remarks, Culver criticised the loss of Palestinian lives in Gaza, condemned the university’s relationship with Israel, and encouraged attendees to stop making financial contributions, demand greater fiscal transparency, and push for divestment from companies linked to Israel.

“I’m ashamed that my tuition fees are being used to support this genocide,” she declared. “I urge the class of 2025 to withhold donations and keep pressing for financial openness and divestment.”

University officials later claimed that Culver deviated from her previously approved script. They subsequently announced that she would no longer be permitted on campus or at university-sanctioned events.

“The speaker’s actions during Saturday’s event for the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences were deemed inappropriate and misleading,” the university said in a statement. “The speech she rehearsed was significantly different from what she actually delivered.” As a result, Culver has been banned from all George Washington University premises and related events.

The university also issued an apology, stating that the speech disrupted what was intended to be a celebratory event.

The incident has since gained widespread attention online, with one video of the speech amassing over a million views. While many have praised Culver’s stance in support of Palestinians, others criticised her for bringing political views into a graduation setting.

Despite the controversy, Culver received loud applause and cheers from many of her fellow graduates, with some even giving her a standing ovation. Associate Dean Kavita Daiya acknowledged Culver’s address, affirming the institution’s commitment to supporting a range of perspectives.
Culver was also honoured with a distinguished scholar award during the ceremony.

In an interview with The GW Hatchet, Culver stated, “There was never a moment where I considered staying silent.”