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Panama Students
University and secondary school students have long played a
leading role in Panama's political life, often acting as advocates
of the interests of the lower and middle classes against the
oligarchy and the military. Students also played a leading role in
demonstrations against United States control over the Canal Zone.
Using a combination of force and rewards, the Torrijos government
largely co-opted the students at the University of Panama, gaining
considerable influence over the Federation of Panamanian Students
(Federación de Estudiantes Panameños--FEP), the largest of several
student federations. But relations between the government and
student groups began to deteriorate in 1976, and a variety of
competing student federations developed, notably the Federation of
Revolutionary Students (Federación de Estudiantes Revolucionarios--
FER), a group on the far left. Student groups were leaders in the
opposition to ratification of the Panama Canal treaties, objecting
largely to the continued presence of United States military bases
in Panama.
Students and some teachers' groups played a major role in the
1987 protests. At least one university student was killed by the
FDP, and the government closed the University of Panama twice and
closed all secondary schools during the June protests. Periodic
student protests took place throughout the year, frequently
producing violent confrontations with the security forces. Although
most student organizations were not part of the CCN, their growing
opposition to the political role of the FDP and the policies of the
government made the task of restoring order and stability even more
difficult.
Data as of December 1987
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