Venezuelan Independence Day at Plaza Bolivar

SPI honor guard stands at the feet of the Great Liberator's image. Although Bolívar fought no battles in Panama, after declaring independence from Spain this country fell in with his movement and is thus one of the Bolivarian republics.

Venezuelan Independence Day observed in Plaza Bolivar
photos by José F. Ponce

Yes, Ricardo Martinelli ran for the presidency alleging that his opponent was too close to Venezuela's President Hugo Torrijos. But notwithstanding campaign rhetoric, Venezuela has important ties with Panama. We get our oil from the Venezuelans. Venezuela is the Colon Free Zone's biggest customer. So on Venezuelan Independence Day --- July 5 --- Vice President and Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Varela was on hand to represent the Panamanian government.

The locale for such observances is in Plaza Bolivar, just behind the presidential palace. Simón Bolívar was Venezuelan, and if every good American school kid learns (a bit simplistically) that George Washington led the country to independence from the European colonial power and Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves, in Venezuela and several neighboring countries the kids learn that Bolívar led their nations to independence from Spain and freed the slaves. Of course the place to mark Venezuelan independence in Panama is in the Casco Viejo, Plaza Bolivar.

The Venezuelan community in Panama mostly does not support the government in Caracas, so there were private, unofficial observances elsewhere.

Varela was front and center in the diplomatic delegation present for the observance

School kids were present to sing the Venezuelan anthem

Venezuelan Ambassador Jorge Durán addressed those assembled

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