– URGENT STATEMENT –
Police violence against indigenous communities in Panama leaves at least two Ngäbe people dead and seven missing.
MODETEAB denounces police repression and violence, the suspension of constitutional rights, and the interruption of telecommunications in the province of Bocas del Toro.
The Movement for the Defense of Territories and Ecosystems of Bocas del Toro (MODETEAB) strongly condemns the brutal police violence that erupted in the Ngäbe indigenous communities located in the province of Bocas del Toro beginning June 14, 2025, [1]which was carried out amid a widespread telecommunications blackout and the suspension of constitutional guarantees. Both the National Police and the National Border Service (SENAFRONT) have brutally repressed the Ngäbe population in the province, resorting to disproportionate force and arbitrarily detaining numerous people.
This repression has left at least two Ngäbe people dead and numerous others injured, according to information MODETEAB has received directly from the affected communities and public reports. In recent days, MODETEAB members have visited numerous communities to hear the testimonies of those affected, including the communities of Loma Azul, Valle de Agua, Valle Rico, Nuevo Paraíso, Miraflores, Norteño, Pueblo Nuevo, Almirante, and Changuinola, among others. MODETEAB condemns all forms of violence and denounces in the strongest terms the serious violations that have been committed against our Ngäbe sisters and brothers in the province of Bocas del Toro.
The beginning of the repression against Ngäbe communities in Bocas del Toro
On May 27, 2025, the Panamanian government declared a state of emergency in the province of Bocas del Toro, [2]coinciding with the intensification of militarization in surrounding provinces. [3]On June 14, security forces began their repression against protesters and residents in Bocas del Toro, launching a police operation called “Operation Omega” to restore free movement in the province after more than 40 days of protests. [4]Security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets, with aerial support from helicopters. Due to this situation, entire families have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in the forest. Unfortunately, most media outlets have not covered the violence perpetrated against our Indigenous communities in Bocas del Toro.
It is estimated that thousands of specialized SENAFRONT units participated in this operation in different areas of the province. It should be noted that some of the helicopters used to suppress protesters in the province belong to private companies; similarly, privately owned machinery was used to remove protesters from some roads in the province. [5]Additionally, hundreds of drones were observed flying over the affected areas, as well as naval vessels stationed near the coast of Almirante.
Beginning on June 16, the repression intensified. In various parts of Bocas del Toro, residents documented how security forces used tear gas, pellets, and even bullets, in addition to entering homes to arrest those inside. The police repression has left numerous people injured, including two with serious head injuries. This comes amid police violence in the communities of Oriente and Pueblo Nuevo in the Ngäbe-Buglé region, near the province of Bocas del Toro.[6]
Arrests and criminalization of protesters and indigenous leaders from June 14-20
Between June 14 and 20, dozens of people were detained in Bocas del Toro. [7]MODETEAB is aware of cases of abuses against the dignity of detainees, including some cases in which security forces stripped these individuals and forced them to walk in their underwear in front of members of their communities before transferring them to other jurisdictions.
Additionally, it was reported that the government issued an arrest warrant for Elena Cruz, the Chief General and highest traditional authority of the Ngäbe-Buglé community. [8]The indigenous leader had published a statement denouncing the deployment of security forces by air and land in indigenous territories, [9]in addition to demanding the withdrawal of Law No. 462, which reforms the Social Security Fund, and the revocation of a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Panama and the U.S., as well as the cancellation of mining projects, including projects that would affect territories inhabited by indigenous communities.[10]
Intensified abuses amid telecommunications suspension in Bocas del Toro from June 20 to 29
On June 20, following a series of acts of violence and vandalism committed by a group of hooded men in the Changuinola district of Bocas del Toro, [11]the Panamanian government declared a state of emergency in the province, suspending several constitutional guarantees for a period of five days. [12]The state of emergency was extended for an additional five days, beginning on June 24. [13]During this entire period, the government blocked telecommunications networks in the province.[14]
It should be noted that no acts of vandalism or looting had been reported during the protests held in the weeks prior to the arrival of security forces in the province. Far from establishing security, these forces created an atmosphere of violence, breaking into communities, beating men, abusing women, and spraying pepper spray in residents’ faces. According to testimonies from residents of several affected communities, members of the security forces threatened to set fire to their homes. Additionally, residents have witnessed security forces stealing their belongings, including solar panels, batteries, and gas tanks, in addition to removing food products from local stores. Due to this situation, many residents have been forced to abandon their communities, taking some of their belongings with them and taking refuge in the mountains.
Amid the telecommunications blackout, hundreds of people were detained, [15]many of whom were transferred to other provinces. [16]There are serious concerns about their treatment, both at the time of their arrest and in detention centers; cases of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse have even been reported. [17]Some have been denied access to a lawyer and all forms of communication with their families. Furthermore, the whereabouts of some of the Ngäbe people detained in Bocas del Toro during the telecommunications blackout remain unknown. These individuals include Mercedes Jiménez, Venero Guerra, Santiago Lorenzo, Fabiám Serrano, Rigoberto Hernández, Fermín Pineda, and Arcides Guerra.
For its part, the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture, part of the Ombudsman’s Office, was investigating the treatment of prisoners, having interviewed more than 180 people from Bocas del Toro as of June 26. [18]On July 3, the Ombudsman’s Office presented its preliminary report, documenting 92 cases of arbitrary detentions and 99 cases of cruel and inhuman treatment, among other abuses.[19]
To this day, security forces continue to harass members of our Indigenous communities, arbitrarily detaining them based solely on accusations of having participated in the protests or simply for having expressed support for them. It seems that the mere fact of belonging to an Indigenous community is enough to subject one to harassment and even arrest. It should be noted that on July 7, some Indigenous individuals and organizations held a march in Bocas del Toro to express their disagreement with the events of Operation Omega. SENAFRONT forces intervened during the march, prohibiting people from exercising their human rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, despite the fact that the state of emergency had ended more than a week ago.
The violence has culminated in the loss of human lives of members of the Ngäbe people
According to public reports and information MODETEAB has received directly from the victims’ communities, police violence in Bocas del Toro has left at least two Indigenous Ngäbe people dead. [20]First, on June 17, the death of a 24-year-old man was reported during police action in the community of Rambala , Bocas del Toro. [21]This man was the father of three children. According to community testimony, he had not participated in the protests but had come to this area to visit his relatives and found himself in this situation, where he was violently attacked for being in the area and being Indigenous, which led to his death.
Subsequently, on June 24, 2025, the death of a one-year-and-eight-month-old Ngäbe girl was reported, allegedly from tear gas inhalation in Pueblo Nuevo, after security forces stormed the village and launched tear gas, forcing the girl’s family to flee the village and preventing the girl from receiving medical attention.[22]
We express our deep concern for the many children who have been exposed to tear gas. We emphasize that exposure to this type of police violence could lead to serious short- and long-term physical and psychological health problems for these children. Furthermore, we are aware that several pregnant women were also exposed to tear gas, and there is serious concern that this exposure may have increased their risk of miscarriage.
While the deaths of the two Ngäbe individuals mentioned above have been publicly acknowledged, we are concerned that there may be other cases of deaths that have not been reported or acknowledged to date. For example, reports have circulated of decomposing bodies being found in the San San area of Bocas del Toro. Following these reports, on July 3, the National Police, in coordination with the Benemérito Fire Department, the Public Ministry, and other law enforcement agencies, conducted an inspection of the area and announced that no human remains were found. [23]For its part, the Attorney General’s Office reported on July 3 that it had initiated an ex officio investigation into the alleged bodies.[24]
Conclusion and requests
As members of MODETEAB, we reiterate our deep concern regarding the human rights violations committed in the context of the social protests in Panama. We strongly denounce all inhumane treatment and violence, and emphasize that the State of Panama has the obligation to respect the human rights of all people present in the country, including Indigenous peoples. We also condemn the suspension of constitutional guarantees and the interruption of telecommunications in Bocas del Toro, which left our Indigenous communities vulnerable to repression perpetrated by the security forces. We urge the Panamanian State to cease all acts of repression against Indigenous peoples in Panama; to be held accountable for having exposed members of our communities to attacks, kidnappings, and even murder; to respect and guarantee the legal rights of every person detained in Bocas del Toro during Operation Omega, including union leader Francisco Smith; and to disclose the whereabouts of those who are still missing.
At this critical moment, we respectfully request regional and international human rights bodies to remain vigilant for information regarding the events that occurred during Operation Omega in the province of Bocas del Toro. We also reiterate our call to regional and international human rights bodies to urge the Panamanian authorities to fully comply with international standards and respect the human rights of all Indigenous peoples in Panama.
Signatory in support of MODETEAB:
The Center for International Environmental Law
1101 15th St NW, Ste 1100, Washington, DC 20005 United States
cgarcia@ciel.org , lgomez@gomez.org
CIEL is a civil society organization dedicated to the global public interest, harnessing the power of law to protect the environment, promote human rights, and advance a just and sustainable society. CIEL has supported MODETEAB for over seven years.
[1]Since April 21, 2025, Panama has experienced a period of massive social mobilization. This mobilization has led to strikes, marches, and demonstrations in various regions of the country in opposition to the new Social Security Law 462, as well as in rejection of the memorandum of understanding between the Panamanian government and the U.S. government to allow for a greater U.S. military presence in Panama. Additionally, the protests have expressed their rejection of the Panamanian government’s intention to build a dam on the Indio River and to reactivate mining projects in the country, despite the outbreak of massive demonstrations against metal mining in Panama in 2023.
[2]See Cabinet declares state of emergency in Bocas del Toro and appoints a High-Level Commission for its recovery , Presidency of the Republic of Panama (May 27, 2025), https://www.presidencia.gob.pa/publicacion/gabinete-declara-estado-de-emergencia-en-bocas-del-toro-y-designa-comision-de-alto-nivel-para-su-recuperacion.
[3]See Panama: Alert against violent repression against Ngäbe-Buglé indigenous communities in the context of social protests , Front Line Defenders (June 3, 2025), https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/es/statement-report/panama-concern-over-violent-repression-against-ngabe-bugle-indigenous-communities.
[4]See Ismael Gordón Guerrel , Government seeks to restore free transit in Bocas del Toro , La Estrella de Panamá (June 15, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/gobierno-busca-restablecer-el-libre-transito-en-bocas-del-toro-BC13669998.
[5]See Richard Arghiris , Panama Government Declares Curfew , Uses Private Assets Against Indigenous Protesters , Intercontinental Cry Magazine (June 17, 2025), https://icmagazine.org/panama-government-declares-curfew-uses-private-assets-against-indigenous-protesters/ (citing the testimony of Feliciano Santos, Coordinator of MODETEAB).
[6]See Richard Arghiris , Indigenous Protester Shot Dead By Police In Panama , Intercontinental Cry Magazine (June 18, 2025), https://icmagazine.org/indigenous-protester-shot-dead-by-police-in-panama/ (citing information and materials provided by MODETEAB).
[7]See Manuel Vega Loo , Crisis in Bocas del Toro: 34 arrested and 19 points reopened in Operation Omega , La Estrella de Panamá (June 16, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/crisis-en-bocas-del-toro-34-aprehendidos-y-19-puntos-reabiertos-en-operacion-omega-KH13722877; see also Henry Cárdenas P., Operation Omega: at least 80 arrested; 29 amid acts of vandalism in Bocas del Toro , La Prensa (June 20, 2025), https://www.prensa.com/judiciales/operacion-omega-al-menos-80-aprehendidos-29-en-medio-de-actos-vandalicos-en-bocas-del-toro/.
[8]Additionally, on June 15, Francisco Smith, General Secretary of the Union of Workers in the Banana, Agricultural and Related Companies Industry ( Sitraibana ), was arrested. See Pedro Rodríguez, National Police apprehends union leader Francisco Smith , Estrella de Panamá (June 15, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/policia-nacional-aprehende-al-dirigente-sindical-francisco-smith-KM13689443?mrs=eyJnIjo5LCJjIjoiUmVjb21lbmRhY2nzbiBkZSBjb250ZW5pZG9zIiwiYSI6IlZpc2l0YSBkZSBhcnTtY3VsbyByZWNvbWVuZGFkbyIsIm4iOiJN4XMgcGFyYSB0aSJ9.
[9]See Adriana Berna, ‘My people are wounded’: Ngäbe-Buglé authority condemns the Government’s actions with Operation Omega , La Estrella de Panamá (June 14, 2025),https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/mi-pueblo-esta-herido-autoridad-ngabe-bugle-condena-accion-del-gobierno-con-el-operativo-omega-KC13666851#goog_rewarded.
[10] Id. ; see also Viviana Herrera & Paulina Personius , Calling on First Quantum Minerals to Definitely and Safely Close its Copper Panama Mine , Mining Watch Canada (June 11, 2025), https://miningwatch.ca/blog/2025/6/11/calling-first-quantum-minerals-definitely-and-safely-close-its-cobre-panama-mine; Chris Taylor, Panama’s Copper mine is a vase close . So why is their security still restricting access to local villages? , The Guardian ( January 21 , 2025), https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jan/21/panama-cobre-mine-first-quantum-minerals.
[11]See Manuel Vega Loo , Hooded men damage facilities at Changuinola Airport , La Estrella de Panama (June 19, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/encapuchados-danan-instalaciones-en-el-aeropuerto-de-changuinola-AI13826251.
[12]See Juan Alberto Cajar B. & Manuel Vega Loo , Government declares state of emergency in Bocas del Toro, constitutional guarantees suspended , La Estrella de Panamá ( June 20, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/gobierno-declara-estado-de-urgencia-en-bocas-del-toro-se-suspenden-garantias-constitucionales-AJ13833993; Manuel Vega Loo , Vamos Party rejects suspension of guarantees in Bocas del Toro and demands immediate rectification , La Estrella de Panamá (June 20, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/politica/bancada-vamos-rechaza-suspension-de-garantias-en-bocas-del-toro-y-exige-rectificacion-inmediata-IO13849364; See also Public Appeal No. 2 regarding the Declaration of a State of Emergency in the province of Bocas del Toro , Ombudsman’s Office of the Republic of Panama (June 22, 2025), https://www.defensoria.gob.pa/llamado-publico-n-2-ante-la-declaratoria-de-estado-de-urgencia-en-la-provincia-de-bocas-del-toro/.
[13] The state of emergency in Bocas del Toro is extended for five more days, and the maximum amount for contracts and purchases for the recovery of the province is quadrupled , Presidency of the Republic of Panama (June 24, 2025), https://www.presidencia.gob.pa/publicacion/extienden-cinco-dias-mas-el-estado-de-urgencia-en-bocas-del-toro-y-se-cuadruplica-la-suma-limite-en-contrataciones-y-compras-para-la-recuperacion-de-la-provincia.
[14]See Leiny Pérez, Cell phone and internet suspension in Bocas del Toro extended until June 29, reiterated Minister Ábrego , La Estrella de Panamá (June 26, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/suspension-de-celular-e-internet-en-bocas-del-toro-se-extiende-hasta-este-29-de-junio-reitero-ministro-abrego-KE14011182.
[15]See Darine Waked , Operation Omega adds 280 detainees and investigates the death of a minor due to tear gas in SOS Villages , La Estrella de Panamá (June 25, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/operacion-omega-suma-280-detenidos-e-investiga-fallecimiento-de-menor-por-gases-lacrimogenos-en-aldeas-sos-ED13989937; See also Adolfo Berríos Riaño, ‘Your whole family is going to the barracks!’: Police raid in Bocas is recorded on video, Police react , La Estrella de Panamá (June 28, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/toda-tu-familia-va-pa-l-cuartel-allanamiento-policial-en-bocas-queda-grabado-en-video-policia-reacciona-OA14059340.
[16]See Ombudsman’s Office requests that those detained in the state of emergency be transferred to Bocas del Toro , TVN News (July 2, 2025), https://www.tvn-2.com/nacionales/defensoria-pueblo-solicitad-aprehendidos-urgencia-estado-bocas-del-toro_1_2196380.html.
[17]Juan Alberto Cajar B., Alert on possible abuses and violations of processes with detainees in Bocas del Toro , La Estrella de Panamá (June 26, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/alertan-sobre-posibles-abusos-y-violacion-a-procesos-con-detenidos-en-bocas-del-toro-LC13993910; Juan Alberto Cajar B., ‘Once they arrive, we will investigate,’ claims Government on allegations of abuse of detainees , La Estrella de Panamá (June 27, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/una-vez-lleguen-investigamos-alega-gobierno-sobre-denuncias-de-abusos-a-detenidos-NH14026748 (“ According to testimony gathered by lawyers for the detainees, who spoke with this media outlet, several of the 71 detained this week have been subjected to mistreatment with beatings, psychological abuse and effects on their health, as well as violations of judicial terms. They even reported that as of Thursday the whereabouts of some of those arrested or the circumstances of their apprehension were unknown, which compromised access to legal defense.”) ; See also Ombudsman’s Office requests police information on the whereabouts of minors , Ombudsman’s Office of the Republic of Panama (June 27, 2025), https://www.defensoria.gob.pa/defensoria-del-pueblo-solicita-informacion-sobre-paradero-de-personas-menores-de-edad-aprehendidos-en-bocas-del-toro/.
[18] National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture interviews 181 people deprived of their liberty , Ombudsman’s Office of the Republic of Panama (June 26, 2015), https://www.defensoria.gob.pa/mecanismo-nacional-para-la-prevencion-de-la-tortura-entrevista-a-181-personas-privadas-de-libertad/; see also Adriana Berna, Ombudsman demands answers from the police regarding minors detained in Bocas del Toro , La Estrella de Panamá (June 28, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/defensoria-exige-respuestas-a-policia-por-menores-detenidos-en-bocas-del-toro-AB14049687.
[19]See Juan Alberto Cajar B., Inhuman Treatment and Serious Abuses in Bocas del Toro, Revealed in Report by the Ombudsman’s Office , La Estrella de Panamá (July 4, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/trato-inhumano-y-abusos-graves-en-bocas-del-toro-revela-informe-de-la-defensoria-del-pueblo-PG14211619; see also Ombudsman’s Office Files Criminal Complaint for ‘Human Rights Violation’ in Bocas del Toro , TVN Noticias (July 3, 2025), https://www.tvn-2.com/nacionales/bocas-del-toro-defensoria-presenta-denuncia-penal-violacion-derechos-humanos_1_2196525.html.
[20]Additionally, the death of a young Emberá Indigenous man was reported in early June in the context of the repression of social protests in the town of Arimae . See Adriana Berna, General Guna Congress denounces state repression against Indigenous peoples and demands justice , La Estrella de Panamá (June 1, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/congreso-general-guna-denuncia-represion-estatal-contra-pueblos-indigenas-y-exige-justicia-MC13336486.
[21]See Mauricio Valenzuela, Police report one death in Bocas del Toro amid protests, what did they say about the case? , La Estrella de Panamá (June 17, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/policia-reporta-un-fallecido-en-bocas-del-toro-en-medio-de-las-protestas-que-dijeron-del-caso-JA13759275; José Agustín Del Mar, Death of a person confirmed in Bocas del Toro amid clashes , Eco TV Panamá (June 17, 2025), https://www.ecotvpanama.com/nacionales/confirman-deceso-una-persona-bocas-del-toro-medio-los-enfrentamientos-n6043640; Bernabé Yangüez , The Police Version on the 24-Year-Old Man Who Died amid the Protests , La Estrella de Panamá (June 19, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/bocas-del-toro-la-version-de-la-policia-sobre-el-joven-de-24-anos-que-murio-en-medio-de-las-protestas-KK13809434.
[22]See Ombudsman files complaint with the Public Ministry for alleged death of infant , Ombudsman’s Office of the Republic of Panama (June 26, 2025), https://www.defensoria.gob.pa/defensoria-presenta-denuncia-ante-el-ministerio-publico-por-presunta-muerte-de-infante/; Adriana Berna, Ombudsman reports to the Public Ministry the death of a girl after an operation in Bocas del Toro , La Estrella de Panamá (June 26, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/defensoria-del-pueblo-denuncia-en-el-ministerio-publico-la-muerte-de-nina-tras-operativo-en-bocas-del-toro-FF14008915; Lourdes García Armuelles, SOS Villages: There are documents that support the hypothesis about tear gas in the case of a deceased minor , La Estrella de Panamá (June 27, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/aldeas-sos-si-hay-documentos-que-respaldan-hipotesis-sobre-gases-lacrimogenos-en-caso-de-menor-fallecida-BG14030414; Richard Arghiris , Indigenous infant killed in police Operation in Bocas del Toro, Panama , Intercontinental Cry Magazine (June 28, 2025), https://icmagazine.org/indigenous-infant-killed-in-police-operation-in-bocas-del-toro-panama/.
[23]See Adriana Berna, Authorities rule out the existence of mass graves in Finca 6, Bocas del Toro , La Estrella de Panamá (July 3, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/autoridades-descartan-existencia-de-fosas-comunes-en-finca-6-bocas-del-toro-IG14212497; see also Prosecutor’s Office begins investigation into alleged corpses in Bocas del Toro banana plantation , Panama América (July 3, 2025), https://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/provincias/fiscalia-inicia-investigacion-por-presuntos-cadaveres-en-bananal-de-bocas-del-toro.
[24]See Manuel Vega Loo , Attorney General’s Office investigates discovery of alleged bodies in Bocas del Toro, but none have been located yet , La Estrella de Panamá (July 3, 2025), https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/procuraduria-investiga-hallazgo-de-supuestos-cadaveres-en-bocas-del-toro-pero-aun-no-ubican-a-ninguno-KH14207159; see also Aminta Bustamante, Bocas del Toro: Authorities report they have not found bodies in banana plantation area; Public Ministry begins investigation , TVN Noticias (July 3, 2025), https://www.tvn-2.com/nacionales/bocas-del-toro-ministerio-publico-desmiente-hallazgo-de-cuerpo-cadaveres-finca-bananera_1_2196612.html.
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