Hundreds Clash With Panamanian Police Over Shooting Death

Hundreds of construction workers in Panama have clashed with police a day after authorities shot and killed a labor leader.

The demonstrators took to the streets Wednesday in Panama City. The construction workers threw rocks at police, who in turn fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd.

Officials from a construction union say police killed union leader Airomi Smith during a confrontation in the province of Colon on Tuesday.

The union had initially called for the demonstrations to protest the cost of basic food items and demand greater safety measures in construction.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.

by VOA News

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