Number of dead in US invasion still unknown

The number of Panamanians killed during the American invasion on December 20 1989 may never be known. After 23 years there is still no precise figure as records of the dead were destroyed by the invaders.

Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) leader Benjamin Colamarco made his remarks at the Peace Garden as the Thursday anniversary of the invasion was remembered by political leaders and family of the victims. The former Minister of Public Works said that it is estimated that 3000 were killed however, "the United States was careful to remove any record that could determine the exact amount" .

Colamarco said records were eliminated in hospitals and the bodies were moved to other sectors, so that there are mass graves in different sectors of the country. Colamarco explained that there are mass graves in Palmerola, Honduras, and other sites in Panama. He said that many of the victims were killed because they entered combat and other died at home. He emphasized that the U.S. invasion violated international law and the territorial integrity of Panama.