The movement promoted state intervention in the economy, and the replacement of the Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty in order to retain Panamanian sovereignty in the Panama Canal Zone.
Acción Comunal was founded on August 19, 1923, by Ramón Mora, Víctor Florencio Goytía, José Pezet, José Manuel Quiros, Alberto Guardia Jaén, Manuel Gálvez, Enrique Gerardo Abrahams and others.
Acción Comunal saw the treaty as disadvantageous for Panama, and they expressed their anger which spread into the general public.
Harmodio Arias Madrid, despite not being a member, spoke against Chiari's decisions within the National Assembly, rejecting the treaty.
While the U.S. did not intervene militarily, AC pressured for the restoration of constitutional order, resulting in Harmodio Arias transferring power to the envoy in Washington, D.C. With the endorsement of the Supreme Court of Justice, Ricardo J. Alfaro finished Arosemena's presidential term.