Gatineau couple survives violent attack during South American road trip

A road trip through South America took a violent turn for a couple from Gatineau, Que., when they were viciously attacked by armed assailants in Panama last week.

Geneviève Plouffe and Martin Audette were in their parked bus, which they had converted into a mobile home, near the Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal on October 28, when the attackers opened fire and forced their way into the vehicle.

“I didn’t think for a minute that I would survive,” Plouffe said in an interview with CBC News.

The couple was in bed watching television with their dog around 10 p.m. when they heard someone banging on the bus. Plouffe said Audette approached the door, where he was confronted by three men posing as police officers and asking for entry.

When Audette refused to open the door, the men started shooting. Plouffe tried to call for help, but said she was hung up six or seven times.

Broken glass from a shot window. — Plouffe and Audette were sitting in their parked bus near the Miraflores locks when several armed assailants began opening fire and forced their way inside. (Submitted by Geneviève Plouffe)

The men dragged Audette outside and beat him with a hammer and the butt of a gun, Plouffe said. Others boarded the bus and demanded money, threatening Plouffe’s life.

“He shouted, ‘Where’s the money?’” she recalls. ‘Another came with a big machine gun. He put it in my mouth and a pillow in my face.”

Plouffe said that at one point she could no longer hear her husband’s screams and thought he had been murdered.

The attackers eventually left and police arrived 30 minutes later. It took paramedics four hours to get there, Plouffe said.

Man sits bleeding in ambulance with paramedics. — Audette suffered bruises all over his body and multiple cuts to his head that required stitches. He also lost an earlobe and a tooth in the attack. (Submitted by Geneviève Plouffe)

Audette suffered bruises all over his body and multiple cuts to his head that required stitches. He also lost an earlobe and a tooth in the attack.

Panama’s National Police would not comment on the incident to CBC, citing the country’s privacy laws.

Limited support from the Canadian embassy

The morning after the attack, Plouffe contacted the Canadian embassy in Panama for help. She described the experience as extremely difficult and disappointing.

“All they can do is send us a link for a private lawyer, send us a link to ask the government of Canada for help and money,” Plouffe said, adding that it has been six days since she filed a financial submitted support. helped and still haven’t heard anything.

Broken window of bus. — The attack smashed the windows of the couple’s converted bus. Plouffe said she tried to call for help during the attack but was hung up on six or seven times. (Submitted by Geneviève Plouffe)

The Canadian embassy in Panama did not respond to CBC’s questions in time for publication, but Global Affairs Canada (GAC) said it was aware of an attack.

“Global Affairs Canada is aware of two Canadian citizens who have been attacked in Panama. Canada is taking this situation very seriously and is in contact with the local authorities involved in this incident to gather more information, and with the victims to seek consular to provide assistance,” GAC wrote. in an emailed statement to CBC, adding that it could not provide further information due to privacy concerns.

Plouffe and Audette are now navigating the aftermath of the violent attack, focusing on their physical and mental recovery as they determine how to safely return home to Canada.

A five-year adventure was cut short

The couple, who call themselves ‘Jajadabus’ on social media, first thought about traveling through South America during the COVID-19 pandemic. They soon bought the bus and worked for 18 months to convert it into their mobile home.

“We sold everything in Canada to pack everything in the van and start that amazing journey together,” said Plouffe.

Two years ago they decided to make a five-year trek across the continent. The attack happened halfway through that journey, but Plouffe said it also marked the end.

Man and woman smiling wearing construction hats — Despite the experience, Plouffe says she doesn’t want others to avoid travel, but advises people to take all possible precautions before hitting the road. (@jajadabus/Instagram)

“My journey right now, today, is over. I don’t feel like going anywhere else or traveling right now, but I think it’s normal,” she said.

“We’re still alive… It’s the most important thing.”