This bust of Torrijos is located on the median of Avenida de la Revolucion...directly across from CIFCO...the Convention Center.
It is slightly larger than lifesized and depicts him wearing what is probably a miliatry shirt and a hat with the brim turned up to the side on both sides. The bust is set on a concrete plinth about 6 feet high which has pockets below used as planters.
There are two plaques. The first reads:
"Al General
OMAR TORRIJOS HERRERA
por su contribucion a la Sobernaria de
Panama y la pas en el Continente
Americano, en ocasion del 102
Aniversario de la Independencia
Nacional.
El Gobierno de la Republica de
Panama en reconocimiento a la amistad
permanente y la solidaridad del pueblo
salvadoreno."
which translates to:
"To General
OMAR Torrijos Herrera
for his contribution to the Soveriegnty of
Panama and the country on the American Continent,
on the occasion of the 102
Anniversary of Independence
National.
The Government of the Republic of
Panama in recognition of the permanent friendship
and solidarity of the Salvadoran people."
and the second plaque reads:
"Excelentisimo
SAMUEL LEWIS NAVARRO
Primer Vice-Presidente de la Republica de Panama
y Misistro de Relaciones Exteriores
Su Excelencia
Edgar Spence Herrera
Embajador Extraordinario y Plenitpotenciaro
de la Republic de Panama
San Salvador, jueves 10 de noviembre de 2005"
which translates to:
"Excellency
SAMUEL LEWIS NAVARRO
First Vice-President of the Republic of Panama
and Foreign Misister
His Excellency
Edgar Spence Herrera
Ambassador Extraordinare and Plenitpotenciary
of the Republic of Panama
San Salvador, Thursday November 10, 2005 "
A small plaque on the back indicates that the piece is dated 2005 and the artist is Ricaurte Martinez Robles.
Wikipedia (
visit link) provides more info about Torrijos:
"Omar Efraín Torrijos Herrera (February 13, 1929 – July 31, 1981) was the Commander of the Panamanian and National Guard and the de facto leader of Panama from 1968 to 1981. Torrijos was never officially the president of Panama, but instead held titles including "Maximum Leader of the Panamanian Revolution" and "Supreme Chief of Government." Although he was considered a leftist autocrat, he simultaneously had the support of the United States as he opposed communism. His politics were based instead on progressivism.
Torrijos is best known for negotiating the 1977 Torrijos–Carter Treaties that eventually gave Panama full sovereignty over the Panama Canal, at noon on December 31, 1999. His son Martín Torrijos was elected president and served from 2004 to 2009."