Casco Viejo - Two Realities - Two Worlds
When we checked in our receptionist provided us with a map of Casco Viejo. First he drew a line on the map indicating the tourist area and the “not so secure area” of the city. This area is where some of Panama City’s poorest people live, the area where development and restoration have not started. People live here legally and as squatters. They will stay until the government declares there building unsafe. Many looked like they should have been declared unsafe long ago. Once declared unsafe, the government has to resettle the people at the governments cost. These poor people don’t have the means to move themselves, so their plight continues until their building is declared unsafe. You didn’t need to look at the map to know where this line existed. Garbage was evident everywhere. For some reason the city services that were evident in the “tourist area” didn’t exist in the “not so secure” area. This area is called Barrio El Chorrillo.
History of Chorrillo
The Barrio El Chorrillo is a subdivision in Casco Viejo. It was founded in 1915, when immigrants started settling down to work on the construction of the Panama Canal. Many of the residents were from the West Indies - Jamaica, Antigua & Barbados. For many years, El Chorrillo has had a bad reputation in Panama. It is widely known for social problems, crimes, violence and former gangs. It is one of the poorest areas in Panama with a population of about 20,000 people.`
USA - Invasion of Panama - 1989
The United States Invasion of Panama, codenamed Operation Just Cause occurred between mid-December 1989 and late January 1990. It occurred during the administration of President George H. W. Bush and ten years after the Torrijos–Carter Treaties were ratified to transfer control of the Panama Canal from the U.S. to Panama by 1 January 2000.
During the invasion, de facto Panamanian leader, general, and Dictator Manuel Noriega was deposed, president-elect Guillermo Endara sworn into office, and the Panamanian Defense Force dissolved.
Unfortunately for the residents of El Chorrillo, Manual Noriega’s military headquarters was located in the heart of their Barrio.
It was reported that over 400 hundred bombs were dropped on the headquarters and surrounding buildings. During the US Invasion of Panama, numerous people were killed and El Chorrillo was where most of the civilian casualties occurred. It was estimated that up to 1,000 residents of El Chorrillo lost there lives during the initial bombing.
Traveling to Casco Viejo
I personally walked around both the tourist zone and poor neighbourhoods and felt safe. Some precautions for walking at night in the El Chorrillo area, should be adhered to. My advice, when you plan your trip to Panama, include a visit or stay in Casco Viejo.
