Red area alert for Rio Bajo

In the midst of government assurances that the level of violence in Panama is decreasing a message has  gone out from the U.S. Embassy, warning citizens to avoid Rio Bajo.

The message says:

The U.S. Embassy Panama has learned that there have been several recent shootings in the Rio Abajo area of Panama City.  There are two rival gangs warring against each other and several shootings and homicides have occurred.  The gangs have been shooting at cars that drive through the area, these incidents have occurred after it gets dark.

Rio Abajo is already one of our Red Zones and  U.S. Embassy personnel and their family members have been advised to avoid these areas.   The Rio Abajo neighborhood is located North of Via Espana, South of Transistmica and between Ernesto Lefevre on the West and Cincuentenario on the East.

For updated information on the security situation in Panama, please contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy at 207-7030. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy is located in Clayton, Building 783, in the Clayton section of Panama. The Consular Section fax is 207-7303.   The Embassy web site ishttp://panama.usembassy.gov/ and e-mails should be addressed to Panama-ACS@state.gov.  After hours and emergency phone number:  207-7000 or 207-7200.