Panamanian immigration authorities detained and deported a senior international union official on Sunday, February 1. Marcelo Di Stefano was held for seven hours at Tocumen International Airport before being expelled from the country.
The incident occurred just as Di Stefano arrived to participate in a high-level mission examining workers’ rights in Panama. The Convergence Trade Union Confederation of Panama, which reported the event, called the action unjustified and politically charged.
In a public statement, the confederation strongly condemned the deportation. The group argued the move directly obstructs an independent assessment of Panama’s compliance with international labor standards. “The union confederation rejects what happened and qualifies the measure as unjustified,” the organization wrote. [Translated from Spanish]
This expulsion immediately disrupts the planned mission from the International Labour Organization (ILO). Di Stefano was part of a tripartite delegation set to begin work this week.
Mission to Assess Union Freedom Faces Immediate Setback
Marcelo Di Stefano serves as the Secretary for Union Strengthening and Organization for the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (CSA). This regional body represents a membership exceeding 55 million workers across the hemisphere. His travel to Panama was solely for the ILO mission, according to union sources.
The mission’s core objective involves evaluating the state of trade union freedom within the country. Its scheduling follows multiple formal complaints filed against Panama at international venues. These complaints allege systematic violations of workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively.
Despite last-minute interventions by local union leaders, immigration officials refused to reverse their decision. No clear legal justification for barring Di Stefano’s entry was provided to him or the awaiting delegation. The silence from authorities has fueled accusations of intentional interference.
“Despite efforts made to allow his regular entry into the country, the decision of the immigration authorities could not be reversed,” the union confederation stated in its release. [Translated from Spanish]
This action casts a shadow over Panama’s international reputation. Union leaders contend it sends a negative signal about the nation’s commitment to democratic and labor guarantees.
Appeal Made to President Mulino Amid Growing Scrutiny
The Convergence Trade Union Confederation has formally appealed to Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino. They urge him to review the deportation order personally. The confederation also seeks guaranteed safe passage for Di Stefano to return and complete the critical labor assessment.
The incident places the Panamanian government under unexpected international scrutiny. Blocking a participant in an official International Labour Organization activity is a rare occurrence. It potentially violates protocols governing the work of such multilateral bodies.
Analysts suggest the deportation could complicate Panama’s economic relationships. Several international trade agreements include clauses requiring adherence to fundamental labor rights. A negative evaluation from the ILO might trigger formal reviews under those pact.
Local union members express profound disappointment. They viewed the ILO mission as a vital opportunity to address long-standing grievances in a structured, legal forum. The mission’s future is now uncertain following the removal of a key delegate.
Government officials have not yet issued a public statement explaining their reasoning. The National Immigration Service typically refrains from commenting on individual cases, citing privacy laws. This lack of transparency only deepens the controversy surrounding Sunday’s events at the airport.
Pressure is building for an official explanation. The coming days will likely determine if the labor rights mission can proceed or if diplomatic tensions will escalate further.