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Independence Movement in La Villa de Los Santos

Date: November 10, 2012

Location: District of La Villa de Los Santos, Province of Los Santos 

The shout by Rufina

Rufina Alfaro was a beautiful young woman who won over the sympathy of the Spanish soldiers stationed in the town of La Villa de Los Santos. The commander of the barracks instilled his confidence in Rufina and granted her entry to the compound to have a conversation.

Segundo de Villarreal, a man who influenced the political opinion of citizens in La Villa, took advantage of Rufina Alfaro's intimacy with the soldiers to invite her, along with a group of volunteers, to a meeting on the outskirts of the town, where he asked Rufina to do him a favor and spy on the Spanish soldiers. Rufina was aware of the deep popular resentment against the Spanish crown and felt convinced that she had to act quickly to support the independence movement. She made use of the meetings with the Spanish soldiers to infiltrate information, with the aim of managing the act without bloodshed.

Following the instructions of Segundo, Rufina entered the barracks of the Spanish soldiers and saw that the soldiers were at ease, some chatting and others playing, and without their weapons at hand. So she decided to go back out and signal to the conspirators that they could be take the city and surround the barracks, without resistance from the soldiers. The barracks were attacked and seized with sticks and stones, until the weapons and power were in the hands of the people. At dawn on November 10, 1821, Rufina led a march, shouting "Long live liberty."

This event is known as the Shout of Independence at La Villa de Los Santos and would start a series of uprisings in cities across the isthmus, ending with the declaration of the independence of Panama on November 28, 1821.

The main activity that will be held in this district is a civic parade, starting on Simón Bolívar street. The parade will follow the regulations issued by the Ministry of Education, especially concerning the delegations of schools and bands that will be marching.