Panama Declares Emergency in Bocas del Toro over Banana Region Unrest
Panama has declared an emergency in its main banana-producing region, after shops were looted and buildings vandalized in ongoing protests over a pension reform. The government says constitutional rights will be suspended for the next five days in the north-western Bocas del Toro province. The measure restricts freedom of movement and allows the police to make arrests without a warrant. Troubles in the region began a month ago, when the local banana workers union joined a nationwide protest against proposed pension cuts and declared a strike.
“In the face of the disruption of order and acts of systematic violence, the state will enforce its constitutional mandate to guarantee peace,” said Juan Carlos Orillac, minister of the presidency. The measure, he added, would allow to “rescue the province” from radicals. Protests across the Latin American nation erupted back in March over the pension reform. In Bocas del Toro, the unrest has been largely led by workers at a Chiquita Brands banana plantation. The confrontation escalated last month after the company sacked thousands of striking employees. Protesters have been setting up roadblocks in the province, often clashing with police. Earlier this week, crowds damaged one of Chiquita Brands’ facilities as well as a local airport.
ASEP Orders the Temporary Suspension of Residential Internet Service and General Mobile Telephony in Bocas del Toro
ASEP (Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Públicos) is the National Public Services Authority of Panama. It’s a regulatory body responsible for overseeing and regulating various public services in Panama, including water, sanitation, electricity, telecommunications, and broadcasting. They establish norms, control their application, and resolve disputes related to these services. Due to the national government’s five-day emergency declaration in the province of Bocas del Toro, the public services regulator sent a notice to operators indicating that a suspension will be temporary until June 25 regarding telecommunications services such as residential internet and mobile telephony. They also specified that internet services for public entities, healthcare providers, and businesses are exempt from this suspension.
The United States Issues an Alert and Prohibits its Officials from Traveling to Bocas del Toro
UPDATED: Panama Security Alert – Bocas Del Toro Province – U.S. Embassy Panama City (June 20, 2025)
Location: Bocas Del Toro Province including Changuinola and the islands of the Bocas Del Toro Archipelago
Event: Due to continuing and escalating civil unrest in Changuinola Provence including the temporary closure of the Changuinola airport, the Panamanian government declared a state of emergency to restore order. The situation on the mainland is now also affecting essential supply chains to the islands of the Bocas Del Toro Archipelago and the ability to travel to and from the islands may be limited. U.S. Government Personnel are now prohibited from traveling to both the mainland and the islands of Bocas del Toro until further notice.
Actions to Take:
- Avoid traveling to all areas of Bocas Del Toro Province including Changuinola and the islands of the Bocas Del Toro Archipelago.
- If you are already in Bocas Del Toro Province consider sheltering in place or leaving the province if you are able to do so safely.
- Avoid areas experiencing civil unrest.
- Monitor local media for updates and adjust your travel plans accordingly.
- Keep a low profile.
- Review your personal security plans.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Panama City
+507-317-5000
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https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjndjDeOMzH9j8h52n
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
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The U.S. Embassy in Panama City has issued an urgent security alert for the province of Bocas del Toro, including Changuinola and the islands of the archipelago, due to the growing social unrest in the region. In addition, instability on the mainland is impacting supply chains to the islands, which could further restrict travel to and from the archipelago. The U.S. Embassy is urging U.S. citizens to change their travel plans to the province and, if present, to maintain a low profile, seek shelter, or seek to leave as soon as possible.
State of Emergency Declared in Bocas del Toro due to ‘Criminal Acts and Urban Terrorism’
Yesterday afternoon, Friday, with the province already under a state of emergency, the violence continued. Groups of looters set fire to vehicles parked in front of Changuinola Airport and vandalized the facilities of the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences. With the publication of Cabinet Decree 27, the government of President José Raúl Mulino has declared a state of emergency throughout the province of Bocas del Toro, temporarily suspending constitutional guarantees in Bocas del Toro, including freedom of movement, the right to assembly, and the right to defense.
Another day of Vandalism in Changuinola. Destruction below Caused by Criminal Groups at the Sinaproc Offices in Bocas del Toro
.A new spiral of violence erupted Friday, June 20, 2025, in Changuinola, Bocas del Toro province, when vandals again attacked the airport, the headquarters of the Institute of Forensic Medicine (Imelcf), and set fire to a Chiquita Panama bus. Changuinola Airport was the target of vandalism for the second consecutive day when hooded individuals set fire to several cars outside the airport.
At least 80 arrested with 29 acts of vandalism in Bocas del Toro during Operation Omega
In the midst of Operation Omega, which security forces are carrying out in Bocas del Toro in response to the protests in the province, at least 80 people have been arrested since last weekend. Preliminary reports indicate that 29 people were arrested between Thursday and Friday for the acts of vandalism reported in Changuinola. More than 1,500 officers from various security forces have been deployed in Bocas del Toro.
DIJ and Acodeco offices were also vandalized in Bocas del Toro
In recent hours, public offices continue to be targeted by groups carrying out acts of vandalism in Changuinola, Bocas del Toro. This afternoon, it was reported that the headquarters of the Judicial Investigation Directorate (DIJ) and the Consumer Protection and Competition Defense Authority (Acodeco) were vandalized. There was a fire at the DIJ headquarters as Bocas del Toro continues to burn.
Changuinola Airport suspends operations due to vandalism and closed until further notice
Capac rejects acts of violence in Bocas del Toro and announces its support for the government. The Panamanian Chamber of Construction is known as (CAPAC):
- Purpose:
CAPAC is a chamber of commerce in Panama representing major construction companies and related businesses.
- Activities:
Organizes construction-related trade shows like Expo Vivienda and Expo Habitat, and provides arbitration services.
- Focus:
Fosters collaboration within the construction industry, mediates disputes, and liaises with other sectors.
The Chamber of Commerce condemns violence in Bocas del Toro and demands restoration of order. The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP), the country’s main business association, in a statement, strongly condemned the acts of violence and vandalism reported in Bocas del Toro and demanded that the National Government restore order in that province to achieve what it defined as: “Preserving Democracy” in the country. The CCIAP stated that the destruction of public facilities and private property constitutes inadmissible criminal acts in a society that aspires to live under the principles of democracy, justice, and development. “Legitimate protest is completely distorted when criminal acts take to the streets. We doubt these actions come from the public; here, organized criminals are already evident, seeking to sow chaos and profit from the anarchy.
Who wins from this? No one. We all lose,” warned Juan Arias, president of the Cciap (National Commission for the Protection of Human Rights). The business association issued an urgent call for social peace: “There is no democracy without legality. There are no rights without duties. This rampant violence not only puts human lives at risk, but also destroys opportunities, drives away investment, and deepens the social gaps that, as Panamanians, we are obliged to close,” Arias added. In its statement, the CCIAP emphasized that the government must exercise its constitutional role with clarity and firmness: guarantee public order, protect citizens, and ensure that the law prevails over anarchy. “The country cannot move forward if we allow crime to replace legitimate protest. It’s time to close ranks for Panama,” the business association’s statement concluded.
