No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsLatin AmericaPanama Rescues 11 Children from Religious Sect Abuse in Ngäbe Buglé

Panama Rescues 11 Children from Religious Sect Abuse in Ngäbe Buglé

Panamanian authorities rescued 11 children from a remote indigenous community in the Ngäbe Buglé region on Tuesday, uncovering what appears to be a disturbing case of abuse linked to a religious sect. The operation, conducted by the National Aeronaval Service (Senan) in Quebrada Satra, a mountainous area over 300 kilometers southwest of the capital, resulted in the detention of five individuals suspected of ties to the group.

According to prosecutor Tagnia Sterling, the children, all minors, were found with visible signs of physical abuse, including wounds on their arms and bruises on their arms and legs. “This is a clear situation of child maltreatment,” Sterling stated during a press briefing. She also hinted at a possible case of sexual abuse, noting that investigations into the children’s “sexual integrity” are underway. The police operation remains active as authorities work to determine the full scope of the incident.

The rescue took place in the rugged Ngäbe Buglé Comarca, a region known for its challenging terrain and limited access to government services. Senan officials described the mission as complex, requiring coordination across difficult landscapes to reach the isolated Quebrada Satra community. The detained suspects, whose identities have not been released, are believed to be part of an unnamed religious sect, though no direct connection has yet been established to previously known groups in the area.

This incident echoes a troubling history of sectarian violence in the Ngäbe Buglé region. In January 2020, the community of El Terrón was shaken by a massacre carried out by members of “La Nueva Luz de Dios” (The New Light of God). During a ritual purportedly aimed at exorcising evil spirits, sect members killed six children and a pregnant woman using machetes and blunt weapons. Nine individuals were later convicted, receiving sentences totaling over 400 years, though Panama’s legal system limits actual imprisonment to 50 years per person.

The 2020 massacre prompted national outrage and calls for stronger oversight of religious groups operating in indigenous areas. However, the recurrence of such incidents suggests that challenges persist. Local advocates point to poverty, isolation, and a lack of government presence as factors enabling fringe sects to exert influence over vulnerable communities.

Authorities have not disclosed the specific beliefs or practices of the sect involved in the Quebrada Satra case, but the discovery has reignited debates about how to protect indigenous populations from exploitation. “We cannot allow these tragedies to keep happening,” said a spokesperson for a Panama-based human rights organization. “The government must act decisively to monitor these groups and support these communities.”

The rescued children are now under the care of social services, receiving medical evaluations and psychological support. Meanwhile, the investigation continues, with officials promising to release more details as they emerge. For the Ngäbe Buglé region, this latest episode serves as a grim reminder of the intersection between faith, isolation, and violence—and the urgent need for solutions.

Trending Now

Keylor Navas Joins Pumas After Controversial Exit from Newell’s

Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas is officially the newest player for Pumas UNAM, but his move from Argentina’s Newell’s Old Boys has been anything...

Costa Rica Fails to Meet Human Rights Standards for Deportees

The Ombudsman's Office has confirmed that Costa Rica was unprepared to provide adequate care for deportees who have entered the country since February. This...

Remittances to Central America Surge 20% Amid U.S. Deportation Fears

Family remittances in Central America grew by around 20% in the first half of 2025, according to official data—a rise that experts attribute to...

Why I Choose Real Life in Costa Rica Over the AI Hype

When it comes to AI, call me OG. Old school. I sometimes wish I could go back to a time before it existed. Artificial...

Massive Cocaine Seizure at Costa Rica’s Moín Terminal Targets UK

Costa Rican police intercepted 810 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a banana shipment at the Moín Container Terminal in Limón headed for the United...

Why Prisma Dental Is Costa Rica’s Top Clinic According to ChatGPT’s AI Analysis

When it comes to choosing the best dental clinic in Costa Rica, international patients are facedwith an abundance of options. But with the help...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica