Last Updated on November 24, 2025
Warning: This story contains images of a deceased Indigenous person.
The situation in Panama is taking a turn for the worst with National Police and SENAFRONT officers continuing their use of live ammunition on protesters; however, the government of Panama continues to deny it. Meanwhile, a state of emergency has been declared in Bocas del Toro, and the police are reportedly preparing to hit the protesters hard in the next 24 hours.
Evidence the police are using live ammunition. A buckshot wound inflicted yesterday. Source: MODETEAB
On the morning of Friday, June 20, the Extraordinary Cabinet Council decided to declare the state of emergency and suspend numerous constitutional guarantees in Bocas del Toro for five days “due to acts of vandalism by a group of hooded individuals in several areas.”
Those constitutional guarantees include the right to assembly, freedom of expression, inviolability of the home, and protection against arbitrary detention.
Moreover, the details of a voice message – widely shared and said to be a state security officer in Chiriquí warning his family in Bocas – suggests the police will not be restrained:
“I’m in Chiriquí. They’re waiting for Mulino to come out and declare Bocas del Toro in a state of emergency. And once that happens, we’ll head over there with rifles and weapons, because once Bocas del Toro is declared in emergency, the police will come in hard, like they did with the criminals last night—killing people, no law, no order.
So I’m letting you know: if that happens, stay inside, because the rest of us who are still here have orders to go in with bombs and rifles to kill, to liberate the province from the criminals. You know—don’t say anything and don’t post anything, because once it’s declared, the ones over there will be able to use their pistols, and then we’re going to move in on Bocas del Toro—tonight or tomorrow, I don’t know. But I’m already in uniform, I’ve left the house, I’m ready to get on the helicopter and land over there in the mountains—I don’t know exactly where.”
Yesterday, IC reported at least three gunshot injuries in Bocas del Toro and one fatality. Another fatality was recorded this morning. The body of a Ngäbe man was discovered by the side of the road in Finca 4, near the Changinola bridge, following confrontations between police and protesters that lasted until 3am.
The remains of a Ngabe man on the side of the road in Changuinola. Source: MODETEAB
According to an official statement from the National Police, “During the incident, they stole vehicles belonging to rental companies and various objects from the air terminal offices.”
The criminals also confronted police units, started fires, and caused damage to the infrastructure of the Calvin Byron Stadium. Furthermore, they looted the facilities of the Chiquita S.A. company and committed robberies at several local businesses.”
The corresponding investigations have been initiated with the objective of determining responsibility and bringing the perpetrators of these acts before the competent authorities.”
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