First Corporal Ine Guainora of the National Border Service (Senafront) was released on the morning of Tuesday, May 20, after being “deprived of her liberty” by a group of protesters in the community of Arimae, in the province of Darién.

According to SENAFRONT, Guainora was “deprived of her liberty” while on her way to work in the community of Metetí, in Darién.

SENAFRONT explained that the first corporal does not perform police duties in the community; her work is related to citizen security and working with at-risk youth.

Guainora, a member of the Emberá ethnic group and attached to the First Eastern Brigade, was held against her will by several people who reportedly displayed belligerent behavior.

SENAFRONT called the action a crime and publicly denounced the violence perpetrated against public servants, urgently calling on community leaders to intervene to stop such acts.

Following this incident, SENAFRONT director Larry Solís traveled to the area to check on the first corporal’s condition. It is currently unknown whether she will be transferred to Panama City.

Due to this deprivation of liberty, the competent authorities opened an investigation.

Videos circulating on social media showed the use of tear gas as National Police riot police advanced toward protesters demonstrating against reforms to the Social Security Fund, mining, and agreements between Panama and the United States.