Independence Act of Panama

The Declaration of Independence of Panama (Acta de Independencia de Panamá) is the document through which Panama declared its independence from the Spanish Empire on 28 November 1821. It was proclaimed in the Cathedral plaza of Panama City after a council of leaders had met and drafted twelve points calling for severing Panama's relationship with the Spanish Crown and joining with the newly formed Republic of Gran Colombia.

After rebels in the small provincial town of Villa de los Santos issued the "Primer Grito de Independencia de la Villa de Los Santos" (Shout for Independence), on 10 November 1821, rebels throughout the Panamanian countryside began demanding independence. Using bribes to quell resistance from the Spanish troops and garner their desertion, the rebels gained control of Panama City without bloodshed. An open meeting was held with merchants, landowners, and elites, who fearing retaliation from Spain and interruption of trade decided to join the Republic of Gran Colombia and drafted the Independence Act of Panama.

The Declaration of Independence was drafted on 28 November 1821 by the educator and diplomat Manuel José Hurtado and consisted of twelve articles. The text is as follows:

José Vallarino Jiménez was chosen to inform the people gathered in the Cathedral Plaza of Panama City of the Declaration of Independence. The news was received with jubilation. A letter advising Simón Bolívar of the declaration and Panama's voluntary decision to join with Republic of Gran Colombia was sent. In his acknowledgement, dated 1 February 1822, Bolívar replied:

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