Gatineau, Quebec — Geneviève Plouffe and Martin Audette, a couple from Gatineau, Quebec, are currently in the process of healing both physically and emotionally after a violent encounter in Panama disrupted their extensive road trip across South and Central America. The attack, which occurred at the end of October, left them deeply shaken and significantly injured.
While parked near the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal on October 28, their converted bus — which served as their mobile home during their travels — became the site of a frightening assault. Armed intruders shot at their vehicle before forcibly entering, dragging Audette outside where he was beaten with a hammer and a gun butt. Inside the bus, Plouffe faced threats to her life as other assailants demanded money.
Despite their trauma, the couple recounted their ordeal, sharing that Audette suffered severe injuries, including bruises and multiple lacerations that required stitches. He also sustained the loss of an earlobe and a tooth. Plouffe, on the other hand, carries the psychological scars from the horrifying experience, noting that their recovery process continues to be a rigorous challenge, laden with flashbacks and anxiety.
The incident has left the couple with significant financial burden as well, with medical and legal costs estimated between $40,000 and $50,000 — a substantial hit considering they were without insurance. In their quest for justice, they have engaged a local attorney, encouraged by the Canadian embassy in Panama, to pursue their case, hoping to hold both the attackers and the property owner accountable.
Global Affairs Canada is aware of the violence against the couple and has reported that Canadian consular officials are in touch with local authorities to provide necessary assistance, although specific details on the case remain under wraps due to privacy concerns.
Despite this setback, the couple’s spirit and determination remain unbroken. They received support from a psychologist in El Salvador specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder before making their return to Canada. This support, coupled with the embrace of family and friends, has been instrumental in their ongoing recovery.
Plouffe and Audette have expressed a mixture of profound emotional reactions, from anger and sadness to even fleeting moments of joy as they recount the support and solidarity they’ve received from the global van-lifers community — a network of fellow travelers who embrace mobile living.
Looking forward, they plan a temporary stay in Canada. During this period, they will continue to seek medical and psychological support, driven partly by the challenges of securing similar support promptly in Quebec. However, their hearts remain tethered to the road and their adventurous spirits undimmed; they intend to return to El Salvador and eventually Panama to reclaim and repair their bus, once a symbol of their travel dreams, now a marker of their survival and resilience.