Four days after one of the most powerful seismic events to strike Panama in half a century, the Embassy of Barbados in Panama City remains closed, with all operations shifting to remote work while structural engineers conduct mandatory safety inspections of the diplomatic facility. Ambassador Amanda Martinez told local Barbadian outlet Barbados TODAY that all 10 embassy personnel and their family members have been accounted for and confirmed unharmed, a outcome that has been framed as a major relief amid the widespread disruption caused by the quake.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit at 12:56 p.m. local time last Friday, marking the strongest seismic event recorded in Panama since the 1970s. Its epicenter was positioned roughly 200 kilometers from the capital Panama City, where skyscrapers and major bridges swayed during the initial tremor and subsequent aftershocks. As of the latest updates from the Institute of Geosciences at the University of Panama, researchers have documented more than 400 aftershocks, including a 6.6-magnitude tremor that hit moments after the main quake. While the frequency and intensity of aftershocks have declined steadily each day, authorities across the region continue to urge caution.
Reflecting on the experience, Ambassador Martinez noted that the quake came as an unexpected and frightening jolt for all embassy staff. “We’re all doing relatively okay after what was a rather big earthquake, a sizable earthquake for Panama,” she said. She also clarified the whereabouts of personnel during the event: of the 10 total staff, eight were in Panama when the quake struck, while two were outside the country on official work travel within their assigned jurisdiction, and have since returned safely. The ambassador added that the mission benefited from prior crisis experience, drawing lessons from colleagues who navigated a major seismic event in Venezuela to inform their immediate response.
In the immediate aftermath of the quake, the embassy’s first priority was conducting rapid safety checks for all staff and their families. Once that initial step was complete, the diplomatic mission turned its attention to outreach for Barbadian citizens in the country, both members of the long-established diaspora and visiting tourists. The small Barbadian community in Panama confirmed they were all unharmed following the mission’s coordinated wellness check.
The embassy also provided support to multiple Barbadian tour groups caught in the quake. One group that was scheduled to depart the country on Saturday received a visit from Ambassador Martinez at their hotel ahead of their return flight to Barbados over the weekend. Other groups opted to extend their stay in Panama and have not reported any further safety issues.
Barbados has deep historical ties to Panama dating back to the early 1900s, when tens of thousands of Barbadian workers migrated to the region to help construct the Panama Canal and transcontinental railway. Many of these workers settled permanently in Panama, forming a large descendant community. However, Ambassador Martinez noted that fewer than 20 members of the Barbadian diaspora in Panama are officially registered with the embassy. She is now urging all unregistered Barbadian citizens living in the country to complete registration, a move that would streamline emergency communication and speed up support during future crises.
After the Panamanian government declared a national state of emergency on Sunday, the embassy’s staff contributed donations of non-perishable food, personal hygiene items, and specialized supplies for infants and older adults to a central donation hub at Panama City’s Parque Omar. The collection drive was coordinated by the Office of the First Lady of Panama, as part of national relief efforts for the most impacted communities.
On the diplomatic front, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley released an official statement of solidarity on Saturday, reaffirming the deep historical and cultural bonds between the two nations and extending an offer of official assistance to Panama. “We are grateful for the initial reports that no lives have been lost or injuries sustained,” the statement read. “But we know that even where lives are spared, the fear, uncertainty and disruption experienced by families and communities are very real. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Barbados stands with Panama.”
Crucially, the Panama Canal—one of the world’s most vital global trade corridors—remained fully operational throughout the seismic event and its aftermath. “One thing that did not shut down during the earthquake and since was the Panama Canal,” Ambassador Martinez confirmed. “The Panama Canal Authority remained operational during this entire period. While the visitor centre had closed temporarily over the weekend, the Panama Canal itself did not close at any point.”
Two other major transport hubs, the Colon Free Trade Zone and Tocumen International Airport, did suspend operations temporarily to allow for structural safety checks, leading to initial flight delays and disruptions. But as of the latest updates, all major transport infrastructure has resumed normal operations.
Barbados’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs has maintained a active travel advisory for Barbadian citizens planning to visit Panama, urging all travelers to exercise caution. Panamanian authorities are currently directing the bulk of their emergency resources to the southern and interior provinces that suffered the worst damage from the quake. The advisory also strongly reminds all prospective visitors to purchase comprehensive medical and travel insurance before departing for the country.
