US Embassy Alert - November 1, 2023 Demonstration Update

[Denese A Rodgers]

Demonstration Alert (November 1 Update)  

U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama  

  

Heading into the long holiday weekend, protest organizers maintain their call for demonstrations and roadblocks. This includes locations popular with U.S. citizens on tourism or living in Panama.  

Due to unforeseen disruptions, the prevalence of unauthorized “tolls” on intercity roadways, and reports of food and fuel shortages in some provinces of Panama, U.S. Embassy personnel have been advised to reconsider intercity travel.

U.S. Embassy employees living in affected areas of Panama City have been advised to avoid demonstrations, limit movements, and stay indoors as conditions warrant.  The U.S. Embassy continues to restrict mission personnel from traveling to Colón due to protest activity.  Previous travel restrictions to parts of the Darien and Mosquito Gulf still apply. 

The U.S. Embassy continues to receive reports of vandalism, looting, demands for “tolls” at roadblocks, as well as some criminal elements infiltrating peaceful protests to commit robberies. This includes accounts where individuals were taken from their cars and assaulted when unable to pay such “tolls”.

U.S. citizens are reminded that Panamanian National Police have used tear gas and other riot control measures to disperse demonstrations, including when demonstrators have blocked roadways or clashed with the police.

The U.S. Embassy will send out further updates when there is a change to the current situation.   

 

Actions to Take: 

 

·         Avoid demonstrations.  

·         Exercise caution when traveling. 

·         Monitor local media for updates. 

·         Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.  

·         Contact local authorities (dial 911) for any immediate health or safety concerns. 

·         Register for STEP (link below) and refer to our website for the latest alerts and messages for U.S. citizens.   

 

For assistance:  

U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama  

+507 317-5000  

Panama-ACS@state.gov  

https://pa.usembassy.gov/  

State Department - Consular Affairs  

+1 (888)407-4747 or +1 (202)501-4444  

Panama Country Information  

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