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Panama National Guard
The last of the six major entities making up the Defense Forces
was the National Guard (Guardia Nacional). As reconstituted, the
National Guard was scarcely a shadow of its former self. As of late
1987, it had neither a commander nor a staff element and functioned
primarily as a paper entity encompassing the Presidential Guard
(Guardia Presidencial), Penitentiary Guard (Guardia Penitenciaría),
Forest Guard (Guardia Forestal), Port Guard (Guardia Portuaria),
Customs Guard (Guardia Aduanera), and Railroad Guard (Guardia
Ferroviaria). The Presidential Guard was a specially selected unit
charged with guarding the president and the presidential palace.
The unit, which was quartered on the palace grounds, was believed
to be similar to an infantry company in organization; although used
as a ceremonial honor guard, its personnel were also trained in the
use of weapons and in security techniques. On parade or when
mustered to greet foreign dignitaries, the Presidential Guard
presented an impressive appearance in tailored white uniforms,
white helmets, boots with white laces, and white belts and rifle
slings. The Presidential Guard wore a variety of other uniforms as
well, including a dark blue uniform with black plum cap and a solid
gray uniform with white helmet and white belt. The unit was
commanded by a major or a captain who answered directly to the
comandancía.
Other small units of the National Guard protected specific
areas or facilities. The Port Guard, Railroad Guard, and Forest
Guard all were formed to handle functions and responsibilities
turned over to Panama by the 1978 treaties. The Forest Guard, for
example, dealt with the increasingly serious problem of
deforestation in the basin drained by the canal.
Data as of December 1987
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