PM–23. Editorial Note
Responding on November 3, 1959, to demands from leaders of the Third National Party that United States authorities honor Panama’s Independence Day celebrations by flying the Panamanian flag alongside the American flag in the Panama Canal Zone as a symbol of Panamanian sovereignty, demonstrators in Panama City attempted to enter the Canal Zone and to raise the Panamanian flag there. Prevented by United States police from entering this area, the demonstrators proceeded to the United States Embassy in Panama City, tore down and destroyed the American flag flying outside the building, and raised the Panamanian flag in its place. Demonstrators also shattered windows in the United States Information Office in Panama City and initiated disorders in the city of Colón, at the Atlantic end of the Canal Zone. Further incidents occurred on November 4, but the situation improved sufficiently on November 5 to enable the authorities in the Canal Zone to withdraw United States troops from guard duty. As a result of these [Typeset Page 922] riots, over 80 American police and Panamanian nationals received treatment for injuries.
On November 3, the United States Embassy transmitted a Note to Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Relations protesting the desecration of the American flag, the damage done to the United States Embassy and Information Office, and the alleged failure of the Panamanian police to maintain order. In its reply on November 4, the Republic of Panama rejected the United States protest and accused American authorities of provoking the riots and of having ordered American soldiers to open fire on unarmed Panamanians. Documentation on these incidents is in decimal files 611.19 and 719.00, and also in ARA/OAP Files, Lot 64 D 67.