{"id":18047,"date":"2026-10-17T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=18047"},"modified":"2026-10-16T12:24:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T17:24:11","slug":"november-celebrations-canceled-in-panama-after-magnitude-7-7-earthquake-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/politics-government\/november-celebrations-canceled-in-panama-after-magnitude-7-7-earthquake-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"November Celebrations Canceled in Panama After Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake Crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

President Jos\u00e9 Ra\u00fal Mulino confirmed Wednesday that the traditional November 3 dianas at the Presidential Palace will not take place this year, making official the November celebrations canceled<\/strong> decision that follows the October 9 earthquake<\/a>. The announcement came during a working tour of Chiriqu\u00ed province<\/a>, where the president addressed the national emergency<\/a> still unfolding across four affected provinces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“There is nothing to celebrate,” Mulino said, referring to the widespread destruction left by the seismic event. The earthquake damaged<\/a> homes, schools, churches, roads, and bridges, with the hardest hit areas concentrated in Herrera, Los Santos<\/a>, Veraguas, and Cocl\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"November
While the dianas are definitively suspended, the fate of the patriotic parades remains undecided. November Celebrations in Panama<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

November Celebrations Canceled as National Mourning<\/a> Takes Priority<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The November celebrations canceled<\/strong> decision targets the beloved diana tradition, a pre-dawn musical procession that typically fills the streets around government buildings with patriotic fervor. Bands play traditional Panamanian songs as communities gather before sunrise to mark the start of independence festivities. But this year, the government determined that celebration would conflict with the national mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mulino’s statement reflects a broader sentiment across Panama. With families displaced, infrastructure compromised, and emergency crews still working in isolated communities, the usual festive atmosphere feels inappropriate. The dianas, while cherished, require significant public resources and police coordination that are currently directed toward disaster response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#NoticiasTVN Fiestas Patrias: Mulino anuncia que no habr\u00e1 dianas en la Presidencia, mientras se evaluar\u00e1 realizaci\u00f3n de desfiles. https:\/\/t.co\/keU9cRS5aN<\/p>— TVN Noticias (@tvnnoticias) October 16, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>\n