aside from the tax component of gas, the government cannot really do much about the cost of energy. I don’t see how the economy functions with 6$/gallon gas, and the related price impact on associated products (food, propane, etc).
traditionally the protests have either been about issues within the government’s nominal control or about external issues intended to focus popular attention and discontent away (i.e. the CZ, SOUTHCOM under its various names, etc)
The protests (other than the ones over COVID masks and lockdowns) generally break down into two complaints - that the cost of goods is too high (many here live in near poverty) or that the government is corrupt, living too conspicuously well.
Each political party since Noriega was ousted tries to walk the PR line of being a friend of the lower classes while trying to conduct business in a way that satisfies the international investors. The Canal brings billions into the country’s economy but much of it falls into the hands of the bankers who, like most bankers, only care about maximizing investments.
My fear is that a true socialist will take the reins of power, as has happened in Costa Rica, where many of the gringos have fled because the socialists see gringos as somebody to punish rather than somebody to partner with.