19 Panamanian Children Dead in Costa Rica Coffee Plantations: A Tragedy Unfolds

A devastating report reveals that between 2020 and February 2026, at least 19 Panamanian minors have died in the coffee-growing region of Los Santos, Costa Rica. The victims are predominantly children of Ngäbe-Buglé workers, an indigenous group from Panama, who migrate seasonally for coffee harvesting. The deaths, occurring in hazardous conditions on plantations, have prompted outrage and calls for investigation. Activists demand better protections for migrant families and accountability from both Panamanian and Costa Rican authorities. The tragedy underscores the perilous reality of child labor in the coffee supply chain.

Article source: newsroompanama.com | Image credit: Newsroom Panama