Dignity Battalions (Panama)
Basic Group Information
| Name assigned by coder: |
no
|
| PGM ID Number: |
245
|
| Country: |
Panama |
| Date formed: |
April 1, 1988 |
| Accuracy of date formed: |
month
|
| Details of Formation: |
The group was formed by Noriega in 1988 in preparation for the possible US invasion. There is uncertainty about whether the group was armed when it was first created. Evidence notes ‘brutal beatings’ and ‘pipe-swinging’ and further evidence from 1988 mentions they marched with ‘M16 rifles’. |
| Date dissolved: |
Dec. 20, 1989 |
| Accuracy of date dissolved: |
day
|
| Details of Termination: |
We assume termination at the end of the Noriega regime. |
| Termination Type(s): |
change in government
|
Former and Successor Group Information
| Predecessor group(s): |
none
|
| Successor group(s): |
none
|
| Private Military Company? |
no |
| Former Group? |
no |
| Former Armed Group? |
no |
| Former Rebel Group? |
no |
| Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: |
none |
| PGM Becomes Rebel Group? |
no |
| Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: |
none |
Government Relation, Support, and Training
| Government Relation: |
semi-official (type 2) |
| Created by the Government?: |
yes |
Main Creating Government Institution: |
person/minister
|
| Government Link(s): |
person/minister; military (institution)
|
| If link to party, name of party: |
None |
| Training and Equipment: |
yes |
| Shared Information and Joint Operations: |
yes |
| Shared Personnel: |
no |
| Type(s) of Material Support: |
domestic government
|
| State Sponsor(s): |
none
|
| Other Connection(s): |
|
Group Characteristics
Ethnic Characteristics
| Ethnic Target(s): |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: |
not applicable
|
| Ethnic Membership: |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: |
not applicable
|
| Ethnic Purpose: |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: |
not applicable
|
Other Information
| Other Information: |
There were about eleven battalions consisting of 25 to 250 members. Members are also reported to have been dressed in red or white shirts saying “Dignity Battalions”. |
New Variables from Meta-Analysis
Purpose
| Purpose: |
The group’s intended use was to fight against political opposition (e.g. by targeting particular opponents with violence, intimidation and suppressing demonstrations) and to defend the country against U.S. invasion. Another reported task of the group was to assist the armed forces in conducting patrols. |
| Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use |
use of violence
|
Treatment of Civilians
| Treatment of Civilians: |
The group suppressed demonstrations, injured and intimidated oppositional politicians, and killed civilians. |
| Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: |
killing; beating
|
Reasons for Membership
| PGM Members Coerced? |
no |
| PGM Members Paid? |
no information |
| Reasons for Membership: |
|
| PGM Members Killed? |
no information |
PGM Size
Weapons and Training
| Weapons and Training: |
According to the sources the group was armed by the military with M-16 rifles and M-2 carbines. Training was provided by the government and is reported to have lasted five weeks. |
Organisation
| Organisation: |
The Battalions were controlled by the Panamanian Defense Forces, which are composed of government employees. The leader of the group was Benjamin Colamarco, who was appointed by Noriega. |
Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis
Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD.
Wikipedia. “Dignity Battalions” https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dignity_Battalions&oldid=834089041
Evidence
