Geneviève Plouffe and her partner’s dream trip to Panama turned into a real nightmare when the couple was attacked by an armed group in the middle of the night.
Warning: Images shared in this report may be shocking to some readers.
In a disturbing testimony, Geneviève says that she and her partner Martin wanted to discover the country aboard their passenger bus converted into accommodation. But on October 28, everything changed.
The two Gatineau residents were sitting in front of the television in their mobile home when a group of armed individuals showed up on the scene to storm the bus and beat them.
Geneviève remembers that the individuals introduced themselves as police officers and asked Martin to open the door. Martin did not believe this story and refused.
“Suddenly, they started to be aggressive and shoot,” says Geneviève, very emotional, recalling these painful memories.
“When they got back on the bus, they took Martin and took him outside and they started beating him,” adds Geneviève, escaping a few sobs.
Subsequently, the traveler claims that the criminals found her in the room of the bus, hiding under the bed.
“One of them was aiming at me with his gun and pulled me by my hair. The only thing they were looking for was money and drugs.”
-Geneviève Plouffe, traveler
Injured, the couple had several possessions stolen, while they were in an area that was not considered particularly at risk by the Canadian government.
Although Canadian authorities ask that normal security measures be taken in Panama, they specify that there are high crime areas where great caution should be exercised.
Geneviève claims that she was not in a risk zone when she was attacked.
“It’s a place where boats are stored, where the Panama Canal is located. It’s very touristy,” she reiterated.
In an interview with Noovo Info, professor of tourism and sustainable development at UQAM, Alain Adrien Grenier explains that when we move away from the framework offered by the tourism industries, “we increase the risk we face. ‘exposed”.
“There have been episodes like this and there will be others.”
-Alain Adrien Grenier, professor of tourism and sustainable development at UQAM
For its part, Global Affairs Canada says it is aware of the situation. “Canadian consular officers in Panama are in contact with local authorities and providing consular assistance,” reads a written statement.
However, Geneviève deplores not having received any calls or emails from the Canadian authorities.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign was launched to help the couple pay for their medical, accommodation and transportation costs, not to mention the cost of repairing their bus.
Believing to have been the victim of a “big bad luck», Geneviève does not want to discourage tourists from traveling.
See Marie-Pier Boucher’s report in the video.
