Panama To Mourn 1989 USA Invasion
Panama Blue Morpho Butterfly
Photo source: Earthquest (Canada)
Yesterday December 20th was the anniversary of the US invasion of Panama. I did not remember until a member visited my office today. We were discussing a matter and I asked, by the way what is today’s date? (A dead giveaway as to my present state of mind). Without missing a beat he replied, December 20th - Invasion Day.
At first, I didn’t get it. With all the ‘days’ we have been having since November, I was lost as to which particular celebration I just forgot. Come to think of it, there was no parade so maybe that’s why I forgot?
A Panamanian Anniversary And No Parade!
And then it sank in that this was a Day that does not warrant a celebration for Panamanians. However, it was never to be forgotten. It was a day to remember. I commented on it to my member and he replied that it is difficult to forget when there are so many reminders of the US occupation of Panama and for him ‘a lot of it was negative’. He continued, “Take for example the leftover landmines….”
Yes, let’s take those ‘landmines’ in a minute.
US Invasion No Cause For Celebration
After he left, I scoured the news and my jaw dropped when I came across an article which was yet to make the headlines of any of the major US papers. However, the International Herald Tribune reported: -
Panama declares US invasion date a national day of mourning
See why I’m scooping my jaw off the ground?
The news confirmed what I just heard in my members comments. However, I had no idea that this move was brewing. The report quoted a representative of the ruling party as saying:-
“This is a recognition of those who fell on Dec. 20 as a result of the cruel and unjust invasion by the most powerful army in the world,” said Rep. Cesar Pardo, of the governing Democratic Revolutionary Party, which holds a majority in the legislature.”
The article also claimed that US officials downplayed the story; and, that the officials affirmed the wonderful relationship between USA and Panama.
I think this is where I return to the other landmines.
Post-Occupation Leftovers and Legacies
I have been meaning to take pictures of the signs that run along the main road from Gatun Locks (Panama Canal) to the community of Pina, where one of our missions is located. I first came upon the signs a year ago, while I was chasing my favourite Panama butterfly - the Blue Morpho butterfly (in picture above).
It flew off in the bush with me in hot pursuit like a camera happy tourist gushing, “Geezzaamm, it pritty eeh”. Suddenly, a weather beaten yellow sign with a danger symbol and bold black letters stood between me and the ‘pritty’ butterfly. The offensive sign read MUNICIONES NO DETONADO. (Gulp) OOps.
Even my rusty Spanish could handle that one. Nevertheless, I shouted for translation help to my companions in the bus. The response came fast, “Don’t go any further Pastor. There are active landmines in the bush. Leave that butterfly and come if you want to remain in one piece.” I was not about to argue with that English translation!
Mourning Lest We Forget
Those signs have been bothering me since. Even more so, the allegations that indeed persons have been maimed and killed in the bush by leftover ammunition that was planted during the time of US military operations in Panama.
I have since come across this report in the Landmine Monitor on the situation in Panama. While there seems to be no active landmines per say, there is enough undetonated explosives left in the ground to put many lives in extremely poor neighbourhoods at risk. The report says,
UXO contamination in Panama is limited to three former US military bases along the Panama Canal, which are said to still contain a total of around 110,000 pieces of UXO.[15] According to a UN 2002 report, approximately 3,250 hectares of land (32.5 square kilometers) in the Piña, Balboa West and Emperador areas are contaminated, putting more than 100,000 individuals in 81 communities at risk.[16]
I am saddened by those signs and what they remind me of. Imagine the Panamanians; especially those in Costa Abajo having to live with the constant reminder of foreign presence that was not always beneficial to them. Even as mourning becomes the official choice as the way to remember, there are voices that continue to explore and uncover the injustices of the 1989 US Invasion of Panama.
Watch this documentary of the 1989 Invasion of Panama called The Panama Deception here.
Do leave your comment,
Marvia
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December 22nd, 2007 at 1:54 pm
[...] I am saddened by those signs and what it reminds me of. Imagine the Panamanians; especially those in Costa Abajo. Even as mourning becomes the official choice as the way to remember, there are voices that continue to explore and uncover the injustices of the 1989 US Invasion of Panama. Marvia Lawes speaks, writes, and blogs on just about anything that catches her interest. Get mission adventure stories, information on Panama and commentary on global social issues at her Blog - Marvia’s Panama Journal. [...]
January 20th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
[...] Marvia Lawes speaks, writes, and blogs on just about anything that catches her interest. Get mission adventure stories, information on Panama and commentary on global social issues at her Blog - Marvia’s Panama Journal. [...]