US invasion anniversary approved as Day of Mourning

President Nito Cortizo has approved a law that declares December 20 as a National Day of Mourning. The legislative initiative, which was presented by the president of the National Assembly,  seeks to raise awareness and educate the population about the history of  December 20, 1989, the day that thousands of Panamanian citizens fell after the invasion of the armed forces of the United States

It was unanimously approved by the plenary session of the National Assembly on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.

“With the sanction of the law, we settle a debt with the country, to those who fell in that tragic event whom we record with respect, their families and with all Panamanians who feel love for this blessed land,” said Cortizo.

On December 20, the national flag will be flown at half-staff throughout the country, prohibiting the transmission and projection of strident music in all radio and television media.

It also establishes the prohibition of sale, consumption, and sale of alcoholic beverages throughout the country, starting at 12:01 am on December 20.

The educational centers of the country must carry out public acts where the causes, motives, and consequences of the events that occurred on that date are highlighted.

With this law, a mandatory break would be generated since it would enter into Article 46 of the Labor Code where January 9 is already established, and those who work that day will be paid time and half . The IACHR determined in 2018 that the United States “committed serious human rights violations during the armed action, detailing that Washington is obliged to compensate the victims, the vast majority of whom are civilians and non-combatants.”