1989 invasion of Panama leaves enduring trauma

PANAMA CITY — Trinidad Ayola clearly remembers the day when she claimed the body of her husband from the hospital, when his life was taken during the US invasion of Panama in 1989.

Trauma still lingers for Panamanians like Ayola whose family members died during the invasion. In remembrance of those who lost their lives, National Mourning Day was established last March and now falls on Dec 20 each year.

"It seems the stars have aligned," said Ayola, who took part in a years-long campaign to make the national tragedy officially recognized.

Ayola's husband was a lieutenant in the Panamanian Air Force. "I could prepare a proper funeral for him, but there are at least 30 families that continue to search for the remains of loved ones who disappeared in the military operation," Ayola said.

Casualty numbers vary. The United Nations estimates that 500 civilians died in the monthlong battle that ended in late January 1990, but some other organizations say the figure could be 1,000 to 3,000 in total.

"It was not necessary to kill so many people and launch an invasion to defend what they called democracy," Ayola said.

Ayola had anxiety and insomnia for seven years following the invasion, and her young daughter experienced emotional stress and trauma.

Panamanians agree that force was disproportionately used to humiliate the small country. The US invasion also plunged many into poverty.

The invasion, dubbed Operation Just Cause by the United States, was only aimed at protecting US interests, Ayola said.

That still rings true today, with Washington "blockading other nations to subdue them", inflicting hunger and misery on them, she added.

Xinhua