The World - News from March 14, 1988

A group of men dressed in civilian clothes opened fire outside a church service in Panama City after they attacked a woman who was selling an anti-government newsletter at the church’s entrance. No one was injured. The incident occurred outside the Roman Catholic Church of El Cristo Rey, long a center of government opposition activity. Witnesses said the men began firing handguns in the air after parishioners ran to the woman’s aid. Meanwhile, government workers met to discuss a possible work stoppage if they are unable to cash their paychecks this week. Panama’s banks closed March 4 after a U.S. court froze more than $50 million in Panamanian assets, part of an effort to force military strongman Manuel A. Noriega from power.