{"id":15665,"date":"2026-08-17T14:33:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T19:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=15665"},"modified":"2026-08-17T10:47:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T15:47:28","slug":"anton-residents-march-for-peace-after-recent-violence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/people-opinions-language\/anton-residents-march-for-peace-after-recent-violence\/","title":{"rendered":"Anton Residents March for Peace After Alarming Recent Violence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Families in white clothing walked through the main streets of Ant\u00f3n, a district in Panama&#8217;s Cocl\u00e9 province, carrying a message of faith, unity and hope. The Anton peace march, organized by the San Juan Bautista Parish and headed by Father Sa\u00fal Gaona, came after several violent incidents shook the community, including the murder of a young female soccer player who had represented her country at the national level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d15788.111849004159!2d-80.2788938911832!3d8.398910293891229!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x8fac52854c533d07%3A0x161171f9fe4f15e!2sAnton%2C%20Cocl%C3%A9%20Province!5e0!3m2!1sen!2spa!4v1786981199247!5m2!1sen!2spa\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" style=\"border:0;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Promising Soccer Career Cut Short<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/crime-safety\/female-footballer-killed-panama-probes-gang-link-in-anton\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/crime-safety\/female-footballer-killed-panama-probes-gang-link-in-anton\/\">Ivis Ubarte Kirchman, known locally as &#8220;La Rosadita,&#8221; was only 23 years old when she was killed on the night of Tuesday, August 11<\/a>, inside her home in the El Ciruelito sector of Ant\u00f3n Cabecera. She had made a name for herself in Panama&#8217;s Women&#8217;s Football League and had earned a call-up to the senior national team. Her death stunned neighbors and teammates alike, turning a local tragedy into a catalyst for the community&#8217;s public plea for peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/the-panamanian-football-federation-issued-a-statement-regarding-the-passing-of-footballer-ivis-ubarte-kirchman-from-inter-panama-cf-credit-deportes-rpc-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"The Panamanian Football Federation issued a statement regarding the passing of footballer Ivis Ubarte Kirchman from Inter Panama\u0301 CF Credit Deportes RPC - Female Footballer Killed\" class=\"wp-image-15540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/the-panamanian-football-federation-issued-a-statement-regarding-the-passing-of-footballer-ivis-ubarte-kirchman-from-inter-panama-cf-credit-deportes-rpc-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/the-panamanian-football-federation-issued-a-statement-regarding-the-passing-of-footballer-ivis-ubarte-kirchman-from-inter-panama-cf-credit-deportes-rpc-1200x800-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/the-panamanian-football-federation-issued-a-statement-regarding-the-passing-of-footballer-ivis-ubarte-kirchman-from-inter-panama-cf-credit-deportes-rpc-1200x800-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/the-panamanian-football-federation-issued-a-statement-regarding-the-passing-of-footballer-ivis-ubarte-kirchman-from-inter-panama-cf-credit-deportes-rpc-1200x800-1-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/the-panamanian-football-federation-issued-a-statement-regarding-the-passing-of-footballer-ivis-ubarte-kirchman-from-inter-panama-cf-credit-deportes-rpc-1200x800-1-450x300.webp 450w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/the-panamanian-football-federation-issued-a-statement-regarding-the-passing-of-footballer-ivis-ubarte-kirchman-from-inter-panama-cf-credit-deportes-rpc-1200x800-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Panamanian Football Federation issued a statement regarding the passing of footballer Ivis Ubarte Kirchman from Inter Panama\u0301 CF Credit Deportes RPC &#8211; Female Footballer Killed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Days earlier, a separate shooting at an entertainment venue left a woman dead and three men wounded. Those injured were taken to medical centers for treatment. Police have not released the victims&#8217; full identities in that case, but they say the two incidents may be connected. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence as residents demand answers and an end to the bloodshed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Anton Peace March Highlights Family and Faith<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Anton peace march brought together people of all ages, many dressed entirely in white. Participants walked along the district&#8217;s main roads, pausing to pray and reflect on the need to restore peaceful coexistence. Organizers from the parish said the event was not just a protest but a spiritual response to the fear that has gripped the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Father Sa\u00fal Gaona emphasized that the violence reflects a deeper spiritual crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Everything we are experiencing shows a lack of God in the heart. It is very important for parents to accompany their children, to know where our children are, that there are rules and regulations at home&#8221; [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Teodolinda Carranza, a mother who joined the march, echoed that call for stronger parenting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;It is necessary for the family to guide their children toward good manners and the practice of good values that are being lost&#8221; [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/spi-police-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"spi police by spi\" class=\"wp-image-14721\" srcset=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/spi-police-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/spi-police-1200x800-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/spi-police-1200x800-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/spi-police-1200x800-1-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/spi-police-1200x800-1-450x300.webp 450w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/spi-police-1200x800-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">spi police by spi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Police Link Two Recent Homicides in Ant\u00f3n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to police information, the killing of Ubarte and the earlier shooting at the entertainment center are believed to be<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">. Authorities have not disclosed a motive, but they confirmed that investigations remain active. The district of Ant\u00f3n, known for its agricultural traditions and tight-knit communities, has rarely experienced this level of violence, making the recent events especially alarming for longtime residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yer\u00edn Mendoza, another participant in the march, summed up the community&#8217;s identity and frustration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Ant\u00f3n wants peace, Ant\u00f3n is a town of tradition and good people&#8221; [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her words reflected a shared belief that the violence does not represent the true character of Ant\u00f3n. Residents said they want to recover the respect, calm and neighborly trust that once defined daily life in the district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DcHYRPlDPdY\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DcHYRPlDPdY\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DcHYRPlDPdY\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Radio Panam\u00e1 (@radiopanama)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Comes Next for Ant\u00f3n&#8217;s Safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The parish-led demonstration ended with a renewed commitment from community members to watch over young people and rebuild family structures. Father Gaona&#8217;s message centered on parental involvement, setting boundaries at home and knowing where children are at all times. He argued that these small acts of discipline can help prevent future tragedies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Local leaders and residents hope the Anton peace march marks a turning point. While <a href=\"https:\/\/www.policia.gob.pa\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.policia.gob.pa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">police <\/a>pursue their investigation into the two connected homicides, the community is calling for a broader cultural shift. The march itself, with its white clothing and prayers, served as both a memorial for the victims and a public declaration that Ant\u00f3n will not accept violence as its new normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the investigation continues, the people of Ant\u00f3n are asking for more than just arrests. They want a return to the peaceful routines that made their district a place where <a href=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/business-economy\/families-save-up-to-160-monthly-at-panamas-subsidized-food-markets\/\" rel=\"internal\">families<\/a> felt safe. The Anton peace march, rooted in faith and collective responsibility, may be the first step toward that healing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Families in white clothing walked through the main streets of Ant\u00f3n, a district in Panama&#8217;s Cocl\u00e9 province, carrying a message of faith, unity and hope. The Anton peace march, organized by the San Juan Bautista Parish and headed by Father Sa\u00fal Gaona, came after several violent incidents shook the community, including the murder of a<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15666,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[38,31],"tags":[6201,6199,6198,6202,6200],"class_list":["post-15665","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-people-opinions-language","category-crime-safety","tag-anton-peace","tag-anton-residents","tag-march-peace","tag-peace-march","tag-violence-district"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15665","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15665"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15665\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15669,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15665\/revisions\/15669"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15666"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15665"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15665"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}