Simón Bolívar and the Independence of Panamá

The discussion of independence in Latin America is never complete without the inclusion of “The Liberator,” Simón Bolívar. This is true even for the case of Panamá, whose independence was advocated by and achieved through Simón Bolívar. Bolívar sought many chances to free the Spanish colonies, many of his attempts were fruitless to say the best. This history of failure had never diminished his cry for independence from Spain. For example, consider La Carta de Jamaica, 1815, a document that many regard to be Bolívar’s greatest document and a piece that encompasses the rebellious nature and ideology of independence in the Spanish colonies. 

During his exile in Jamaica after his defeat to Los Llaneros and other Venezuelan royalists in 1814, Bolívar released La Carta de Jamaica to inspire the fight for freedom by the people of the colonies and to declare the continuation of the rebellion. In the letter, Bolívar details the horrific deeds perpetrated by the Spaniards under colonization, but through their oppression breeds hope, and hope produces freedom. Bolívar calls on the shared qualities of all the Spanish colonies and the Americanos. Likewise, Bolívar exemplifies the qualities and characteristics of all the Spanish controlled countries, from Argentina and Chile to México. Bolívar’s words rang loudly in the hearts and minds of countless Americanos and Bolívar would find his ideas to become fact as in 1819, the Battle of Boyacá would liberate the Viceroyalty of New Grenada. The liberation of New Grenada would result in instability of Spanish rule in the region and the province of Panamá would declare and gain independence from Spain via La Acta de Independencia de Panamá in 1821.  

It is important to note that even Bolívar saw the independence of Panamá with the frame of economics, a trait that is present consistently in the history of the country. An excerpt from La Carta de Jamaica describes Panamanian independence to be of commercial advantage to freed Spanish colonies to the rest of the developed world, 

“Because of their [Panamanian] magnificent position between two mighty oceans, they may in time become the emporium of the world. Their canals will shorten distances throughout the world, strengthen commercial ties between Europe, America, and Asia, and bring to that happy area tribute from the four quarters of the globe.” 

One must consider that even in times of struggle for ideological freedoms from colonial oppressors of three-hundred years, Panama and the isthmus on which it is settled is viewed for its ability to provide economic and profitable functions. 

Works Cited:

“A Letter by Simón Bolívar.” Bolivar. Accessed February 13, 2020.  http://faculty.smu.edu/bakewell/BAKEWELL/texts/jamaica-letter.html 

Masur, Gerhard Straussmann. “Liberation of New Granada.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., December 13, 2019.  https://www.britannica.com/biography/Simon-Bolivar/Liberation-of-New-Granada

By Peyton O’Laughlin