«It was the moment when a small town in territory, but immense in dignity, told the world that its sovereignty is not negotiable, it is respected,» expressed Foreign Minister Martínez Acha. The martyrs, — he explained — «were a transcendent part of a generation that was aware of its patriotic duty and fulfilled it as Panamanians in that episode that is an essential part of national history». «They died so that today we can say, without fear and without permission, that the Canal is Panamanian, that the territory is Panamanian, that the destiny is Panamanian,» he emphasized. The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, highlighted this Friday that honoring the martyrs of January 9 is to reaffirm that no power is above the dignity and sovereignty of a people. At the end of the event, members of the National Movement of Martyrs of January 1964 presented President Mulino with a plaque of recognition, «as an imperishable merit for the attitude assumed against the reckless and interventionist attacks of an empire that does not cease to attack against the resources and dignity of the nations of the world». Mulino, accompanied by the First Lady, Maricel Cohen de Mulino, paid tribute to the martyrs, in a solemn act that —62 years later— commemorated the feat that led to the reversal of the Canal into Panamanian hands, as well as the reintegration of national territory. The main speaker was Foreign Minister Javier Martínez Acha. «They did not die in vain. He also recalled that without the sacrifice of the 21 martyrs, the Torrijos-Carter treaties, the reversal of the Canal, and its subsequent expansion would not have been possible. Eternal honor to our martyrs,» he stated. «They live in our memory as a symbol of courage, dignity, and love for the fatherland». The event took place at the «Eternal Flame» monument, located at the Ascanio Arosemena Training Center. This gesture by the survivors of the historic feat deeply moved the head of state, who thanked them for their tireless struggle in defense of the Fatherland. Family members of the 21 martyrs, ministers of state, the Administrator of the Canal, Ricaurte Vásquez, national authorities, and members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Panama participated in the activity.
Panama Honors Martyrs Who Fought for Canal Sovereignty
Panama's President José Raúl Mulino paid tribute to the 21 martyrs whose sacrifice in 1964 led to the return of control over the Panama Canal. Officials and diplomats honored the national heroes' feat.
