I thought you guys would find this interesting. The official statement from the tribe's government is below, but first let me fill in the gaps: this tribe is recognized as an independent nation within Panama. They occupy a series of tiny islands on the Caribbean side near Colombia. These islands have no real resources -- they are barely able to support themselves. Migrants are coming through their territory every day on their way back to South America from the US. There was an “incident” a few days ago involving a migrant that led to two deaths. I am trying to get more info on the incident.
Official Statement:
Gunayala General Congress
ONMAGGED DUMMAD
REGION GENERAL CONGRESS GUNA GUNAYALA
Onmaggeddumad Sunmaggaled
Gunayala General Congress
Executive Board
SPECIAL RELEASE
ABOUT MIGRANTS IN GUNAYALA
卍
The General Congress of Gunayala, the administrative authority of the people of Gunayala, expresses its regret, first of all, for the events that occurred on February 21 with the migrant brothers in our territory. Our solidarity goes out to their families and people who are being forced to suffer these hardships after their aspirations to reach the United States were frustrated.
We want to inform the regional, national and international public opinion that we are a peaceful and supportive indigenous people; and on the eve of the celebrations of the 100 Years of the 1925 Dule Revolution that gave us autonomy, we have been surprised that our territory, especially the sea route, had become a migratory route for South American brothers who are returning to their countries of origin.
After seeing the flow of South Americans on foot, traveling by taxi, by Uber, through the Llano-Carti entrance, on February 18, 2025, we met with the leadership of the National Border Service (SENAFRONT) to demand answers and jointly coordinate the passage through Gunayala. At that meeting, they told us that the president of the republic and the security forces knew about this case and that they were going to coordinate with the General Congress of Gunayala in an appropriate and orderly manner.
However, that is not happening. From the beginning we were clear about the sailing times and at what time the migrants should be at the ports. Unfortunately, Gunayala is not in a position to receive and care for these human beings in adequate conditions, and we are surprised that neither the United Nations nor the government of Panama have provided resources for a shelter, boats, cars, or food to care for these people. In a supportive and humanitarian manner, we are doing everything possible so that they can travel to Colombia.
The daily flow of migrants is becoming a serious problem for Gunayala. In this regard, we call on the national government, the United States government and international organizations to suspend the massive arrival of migrants to our territory. Gunayala itself does not have the conditions to receive and address this situation, which should be the full responsibility of the State with its government.
We do not refuse to offer our support, but we will not allow policies to be imposed on us that will affect our internal security. Gunayala lacks sufficient equipment, infrastructure, or means of transportation to deal with this problem that, due to the governments, is causing human mobilization that leaves their country in search of better living conditions. ***
Gunayala, Panama, February 23, 1925
The Indian tribe is an amazing matriarchal tribe of Indians pronounced Kuna. They are one of the last, pure Indian tribes. I was fortunate enough to spend time there but you need special permission from an Indian chief. They live primitively in huts in the San Blas Islands of Panama with only hand made canoes for transportation. I pray these amazing people, their beautiful habitat, and way of life survive the shit show created by America’s progressives and their open border policies. 🙏🏼
Wow! What an experience. I have several molas. What is it that they drink and then nap in hammocks?
Me too! I don’t recall the drink. I sailed there and was anchored out all alone and had my dingy stolen in the middle of the night. I had to paint a sign asking for help to find it and the Kuna police came. They never found my dingy but invited me onto the islands, took me in their homes and let me stay a while to make up for they dingy. I love my molas! 😂
I went there 15 years ago. The only drink I remember was fermented coffee. 🤢
One question. Didn't all those "migrants" pass through on their way north? Did you get funding and support to enable that?
I don't know much about the Panamanian politics, and I am trying to get more info. My understanding right now is that this is a new problem, so I assume that means that the migrants did not go through this rural part of Panama on their trek north.
I wonder if Clinton Foundation has shut down due to funding cuts.
Good question. While I was in Panama, I did see there is a Red Cross station on Portobello. I guess the question is why aren't the Red Cross helping when they have a station so near to the Kuna territory?
Gee. They had no problem on the northern trek, but we get to bail them out going south. Wonder where the money went. Thank you Elon.
We'll see if the US responds to this request, and if so, how they help. It sounds like the indigenous people want someone to find them a route south that bypasses their territory.
How did 30 times that number of people go north without touching these people? Forgive me for thinking the end of money may have affected this. And why would they ask us? How about Panama which is flush with China dollars.
"Forgive me for thinking the end of money may have affected this."
This is one of the reasons why I thought GA would find this situation interesting.
--
"How about Panama..."
Quotes from their official statement: "...February 18, 2025, we met with the leadership of the National Border Service (SENAFRONT)... we are surprised that neither the United Nations nor the government of Panama have provided resources for a shelter, boats, cars, or food to care for these people... which should be the full responsibility of the State with its government."
I guess since Panama and the UN are failing to help, they hope the US will?
Don’t you find it interesting that they said they were surprised there was no help for these migrants? Almost to me sounds like there was in the past
Exactly. While I was in Panama, I did see there is a Red Cross station in Portobello. I guess the question is why aren't the Red Cross helping when they have a station so near to the Kuna territory?
You know that meme about people who want to be left alone warning that the perpetrators will not like the consequences if forced into action? I feel like the Kuna will be living this meme soon.
Of course they are. Literally millions went north to destroy us. No complaints. I would be very upset if one dollar went into this whole endeavor. They joined the attack against us. They can figure it out.
I am pretty sure that the caravans going north utilized paved roads/modern boats through regular channels, and that the indigenous communities were completely by-passed, which are a series of islands accessed only by canoes. I doubt the indigenous people were aware of the caravans happening around them and they have been blindsided by the onslaught of people coming back south.
Edit to add: See JoanofSnark's comment. She is spot on in her observation of how bad this makes China/UN look.
You mean like an American town that had thousands of migrants move in all of a sudden. Schools overwhelmed with non speaking, non reading students, hospital facilities inundated, stores with customers who have no respect for items that don't belong to them, garbage everywhere? We take care of our citizens first. These people are less victims than we are.
It would be a lovely black eye for both the Chinese and the Libs if our President found a way to help that solved the Kuna’s need and didn’t encourage more trespassing on our territory
I feel that, given the current tensions between Panama and the US, like this is an important and pivotal opportunity for Trump. We'll see if this makes headlines or if it is just swept under the rug.
Exactly
Random swastika? What?
It's an ancient peace symbol used by the Indians (from India) and somehow the Kuna have it as one of their ancient traditions, too. As Lucierfians do, Hitler perverted this symbol of peace by reversing it and making it a symbol of war.
I think they should seek help from their own government.
They have tried their own government and have gotten only promises that help will come "soon."
While I was in Panama, I did see there is a Red Cross station in the town of Portobello. I guess the question is why aren't the Red Cross helping when they have a station so close to the Kuna territory?
Then they should ask China for help. Panamanians are pretty tight with the communist Chinese.
They apparently are not aware of our history with indigenous tribes.But like every other country in the world they don't mind shaking the hat at us.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Are you in/near that part of the world?
I live in San Diego, but I recently visited Panama.
Balboa Park... What is San Diego's connection to Panama?
There are lots of things in Southern California named Balboa. I think it is remnants from when the Spanish controlled the area. Since we are talking about Balboa and the Kunas, here is a bit of trivia that I found:
"In 1501, the Spanish explorer Rodrigo de Bastidas “discovered” Panama. At the time, the Kuna people were one of several dozen indigenous people groups that inhabited Panama, and Kuna tribes were scattered throughout the Panamanian main land. Several attempts were made by the Spanish to establish a colony that all failed due to the resistance of the indigenous people, tropical disease and inhospitable terrain. In 1511, Vasco Nunez de Balboa was one of the founding fathers of a new settlement in northwestern Panama, called Darien. Balboa was made the city’s governor. Balboa was a friend to the Kunas and married a Kuna woman, the daughter of an important chief. The Spaniards hadn’t yet found the source of gold they were seeking, but they heard rumors of the wealthy Inca Empire on the other side of the mountains. In 1513, Balboa went out in search of this wealth, led by the Kunas. The Kunas showed him the Pacific Ocean, which Balboa is famous for “discovering”."
How is San Diego these days? Born and raised.
Still have a sister there, very smart, but left leaning. Hard to get a real gauge
San Diego was the dream city. Absolutely beautiful. Los Angeles was even charming.
Don't get me started on local politics. Giant fights over high density housing projects that are being built. I feel like that issue is coming to a head and will get ugly soon.
Homeless problem continues to worsen...
All our money going to "welcome" migrants instead of taking care of the residents... so much animosity over that.
Roads were worse than third world countries, but they fixed a lot of them right before the election in November to ensure that the incumbents were re-elected, so at least one facet of life in SD got better.
Oh wow…. I’m not surprised, but that is very interesting.
One, I love where I am now but I have always said that one thing San Diego had that was much was better road quality lol. No doubt funds have been misused and the roads have been neglected.
I was last there a few years ago for my mother’s passing (miss you Mom) and of the three separate section 8 complexes directly adjacent to me, two had been leveled and construction of some new luxury apartments had started, some looked near completion.
Sadly, I imagine the homelessness will only get worse until the whole country handles it better. In my couple decades and some change there, it only ever got worse.
I apologize. Was kind of nosy of me to ask, especially on a public forum.
Have some interest in Central America - especially El Salvador, but also the area in general. We're hoping to expat down there this year if all the stars align.
There are A LOT of Americans in Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama. I haven't been to El Salvador, so I can't speak about that place, but it feels like the land of opportunity right now with all the political changes opening new doors.
We should build a landing strip in the middle of the jungle and release them their.
Or they can self deport anywhere they want......