Police in the Panamanian city of Colon fired tear gas and rubber bullets on Tuesday (October 23) as a demonstration over government legislation allowing for the sale of state-owned land near the Panama Canal turned violent.
Civilians and demonstrators rushed for cover as police fired shots to disperse protesters who had blocked the roads.
According to Panama daily La Prensa, one woman died in the violence after being shot in the chest.
The latest round of violence follows days of protests in the port city after Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli ratified the 529 reform law last week that paves the way for land in Panama's duty-free zone to be sold to private companies.
Looking to ease tensions, government officials flew into Colon earlier this week for talks to end the tense stand-off.
