Operations Safe Haven and Safe Passage

Operation Safe Haven began in September 1994, when the first Cubans arrived in Panama from Guantanamo. Camps were established in Panama as a result of an agreement between the US and Panamanian governments that permitted the Cubans to remain in Panama for six months. Cuban migrants continued to arrive until the camps reached their peak occupancy of 8,600. Of these 8,600, approximately 1,280 Cubans entered the United States in mid-October 1994 as a result of a program of parole entry by the US Department of Justice. In addition, 110 Cubans were accepted by Spain, and 10 by Venezuela.

Due in part to uncertainty about their future, some of the Cuban migrants became increasingly restless as the weeks went by.[2] The growing tension led to disturbances and riots on December 7–8, 1994, which were quickly controlled by US military members. During the riots, more than 200 US military personnel and 30 Cubans were injured and an unknown number of Cuban migrants drowned in the Panama Canal while attempting to flee from the camps. There was also considerable property damage, including the destruction of various military vehicles, computers, and telephones.

Approximately three days after the initial riot, a joint operation took place to regain control of camp five, the last camp under Cuban immigrant control. The Cuban migrants were taken into custody and the instigators and leaders of the riots were identified.

During the riots, the 258th Military Police Co. partnered with Marine forces to stop rioting Cuban immigrants who had broken out of the camps and were making their way to Panama City. The fighting during this engagement went back and forth, until a contingent of Panamanian riot police arrived to assist, armed. Other personnel there were the 2nd Rangers, 1st Battalion 502 Airborne/Air Assault Infantry Battalion, and 194th Army Military Police of the 101st ABN (AASLT) division. Also present was the 170th MP CO from Ft Lewis, WA. The 170th MP CO was housed adjacent to Camp 5 and were there as a quick reaction force throughout fall 1994. No U.S. soldiers were killed during the confrontation.[3]

After the riots took place a fifth camp was established to house the leaders of the riots and any individual who seemed a threat. Camp five housed both men and women. It also contained a high-security jail system that placed individuals into individual cells. 5th Bttn 87th Infantry, Fort Davis Panama, was the primary US Army unit conducting security operations. Camp five was manned by Air Force Security Police from the 17th SPS Goodfellow A.F.B. San Angelo, Texas also 97 SFS Altus AFB Oklahoma. The 258th Military Police Company out of Ft. Polk, Louisiana was initially in charge of securing and patrolling Camp three.[3]

As the expiration of the US–Panamanian agreement permitting the Cubans to stay in Panama approached, planning began for Operation Safe Passage—the return of the Cubans to Guantanamo Bay Naval Facility. Between February 1, 1995, and February 20, 1995, 7,300 Cubans were transported from Panama to Guantanamo Naval Base. The mission of the transfer operation was to move the Cuban migrants from Safe Haven camps in Panama to Guantanamo in a safe, orderly manner.[4]