Protesters Vandalize U.S. Embassy as Panama Lifts State of Emergency
Panamanian government supporters Tuesday attacked U.S. diplomatic buildings in downtown Panama City, hurling rocks and bottles of red paint.
Witnesses said about 500 slogan-chanting demonstrators participated in the attack, which occurred after thousands rallied in a show of support for a Legislative Assembly resolution urging that U.S. Ambassador Arthur Davis be expelled.
Several legislators have charged that the United States and Davis were behind anti-government protests last month that led to a state of emergency decree June 11 and the suspension of several constitutional rights.
In a resolution that took effect Tuesday, the Legislative Assembly lifted the emergency decree and restored the rights of habeas corpus , freedom of the press and of movement and assembly.
In Tuesday’s demonstrations, the U.S. Embassy and the nearby U.S. Consulate were both attacked. The consulate was spray-painted with slogans, including “Yankee, Go Home.” Another building housing the embassy press office and an American library was vandalized.
Panamanian police surrounded the embassy compound 30 minutes after the attack occurred, but they made no move to round up demonstrators marching nearby. They did not report any injuries.
The embassy said it was preparing “a strong note of diplomatic protest” over the incident.
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