The 1959 riots escalated Panamanian demands for sovereignty over the Canal Zone, straining U.S.-Panama relations and foreshadowing the deadly 1964 riots.
Key Facts
- Date of riots
- November 3, 1959 (Panamanian separation day)
- American troops injured
- 3
- Student protesters arrested
- 2
- May 1958 deaths (prior clash)
- 9 killed in student protests vs. National Guard
- U.S. response (1960)
- Eisenhower permitted Panamanian flag in Canal Zone
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Longstanding Panamanian discontent over U.S. control of the Canal Zone intensified through the late 1950s. On November 3, 1959, former foreign minister Aquilino Boyd inflamed public sentiment by calling for a 'peaceful invasion' to plant Panama's flag in the Zone as a symbol of sovereignty, drawing large crowds during independence celebrations.
Hundreds of Panamanians breached barbed-wire barriers and clashed with Canal Zone police and U.S. troops, who responded with tear gas. A second wave was repelled by the Panamanian National Guard. Rioters smashed the U.S. Information Agency library, tore down and trampled the American flag at the ambassador's residence, and attacked the U.S. embassy.
Relations between Panama and the United States were severely strained. The U.S. erected a fence along the Canal Zone border, and American residents there boycotted Panamanian merchants. In September 1960, President Eisenhower allowed the Panamanian flag to fly alongside the U.S. flag in the Zone. Tensions persisted and erupted again in the more deadly riots of 1964.
Political Outcome
Riots failed to force Panamanian sovereignty over the Canal Zone but compelled the U.S. to allow Panama's flag in the Zone by 1960 and severely strained bilateral relations.
U.S. exercised exclusive control and symbolic dominance over the Panama Canal Zone
U.S. made a symbolic concession allowing the Panamanian flag in the Zone, but retained administrative control