The U.S. Embassy Defends the Distribution of Backpacks in Panama as a ‘Common Practice’

According to the embassy, ​​the delivery of backpacks and supplies to students is carried out where the Southern Command has its programs.  The U.S. Embassy in Panama clarified on Monday, March 17, when asked about a backpack donation in Colón, jointly with the National Police, that such donations are a “common practice.”  This clarification was requested from the diplomatic delegation because the director of the National Police, Jaime Fernández, led a distribution of backpacks and school supplies with US military personnel.  According to the U.S. Embassy, ​​the distribution of backpacks and school supplies to students is carried out where the Southern Command has its humanitarian assistance programs and considers it a common practice. 

They also explained that this delivery is carried out “in coordination with the Ministry of Education, the various mayoral offices, and security forces, especially at the beginning of the school year.”  This donation becomes relevant this year 2025 amid the tension that exists due to President Donald Trump’s constant threats to recover the Panama Canal.  Another point of tension is that last week Trump asked the United States Army for a plan to increase its military presence in Panama.  However, the Pentagon denied the information initially reported by NBC News.  The activity took place at a rural school in the province of Colón, and images posted on Instagram by the National Police show U.S. soldiers handing out backpacks bearing the slogan “We are united” and the flags of Panama and the United States.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy clarified that this year they have a total of 4,000 backpacks to distribute to Panamanian students.  He also emphasized that over the past 20 years, Southern Command’s humanitarian assistance program has allocated approximately $50 million to Panama, with the majority of these projects being carried out in hard-to-reach communities, always with the approval of the Panamanian government.  For example, last month, Southern Command donated $315,000 worth of equipment to the National Civil Protection System for natural disaster response.  In 2024, Southern Command funded the construction of the first fire station in Darien province in coordination with the Fire Department.