Photo By Maj. Evan Cain | U.S. Secretary of the Army, Hon. Dan Driscoll, coins two Interinstitutional Protection...... read more read more
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PANAMA CITY, Panama – During a protective service support for the U.S. Secretary of the Army, the Interinstitutional Protection Service of Panama (SPI), the Panamanian equivalent to the U.S. Secret Service, Tactical Motorized Unit worked shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. counterparts to identify and deter a potential threat on the Bridge of the Americas.
Immediately, SPI Corporals First Class Alex Zamaniego and William Allen responded with decisiveness and professionalism. They neutralized the potential threats who were observed throwing a firearm from their vehicle and believed they were being pulled over by the tactical motorized unit. The officers detained the subjects with no incidents, and recovered suspected contraband - which included 1 kilogram of cocaine. This prompt action ensured no threats to the safety of the U.S. Secretary of the Army, Hon. Dan Driscoll, or to the accompanying personnel in the motorcade, and allowed the mission to proceed successfully and without delay.
“This incident demonstrates the partnership and strength that the U.S. and Panamanian forces have,” said Armando King, the Director General in charge of SPI. “These two exemplary officers leaped into action without hesitance, working closely with their American partners in the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, Executive Protection Directorate, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations to provide support for this visit.”
The U.S. and Panama have a longstanding partnership built on mutual respect and shared democratic values, and the U.S. regularly partners with Panama for combined training exercises, information sharing and capacity-building initiatives. This longstanding relationship sets the foundation for real-world cooperation, such as in this instance.
“I want to thank Corporals First Class Zamaniego and Allen, and the SPI, for their support and for ensuring the safety of our personnel,” said U.S. Army Col. Lance Awbrey, the chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Panama. “Their quick action and thinking is commendable, and I’m grateful to have such professional partners who have our backs.”
Both Secretary Driscoll and the U.S. Ambassador to Panama personally commended and recognized Zamaniego and Allen for their exemplary action, recognizing their conduct and its reflection upon themselves, the SPI, and further strengthening the bilateral security partnership between the United States and Panama.
| Date Taken: | 10.02.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 10.02.2025 11:36 |
| Story ID: | 549850 |
| Location: | PA |
| Web Views: | 31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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