In addition to the hats the artisan market also sells handmade indigenous style dresses for women and girls, as well as traditional hand-woven bags called "chakaras".

When the Catholic Church began to step up its operations in the province of Veraguas in the early 60s, Santa Fe was one of the poorest regions in Panama.

This group could buy produce cheaply from the peasants and sell to them dry goods at exorbitant prices since growers had no way of reaching external markets.

The movement first opened a consumer's cooperative, then it began to sell produce straight in the provincial markets, in effect cutting off the merchant elite.

Panama had been controlled by the National Guard since 1968, and Gallego was well aware of the challenge his movement posed to Omar Torrijos, the country's populist dictator.

Only a decade earlier, Torrijos had personally put down an armed rebellion in the nearby Cerro Tute, and while Gallego was adamantly opposed to any form of violence, the regime may have feared that his movement would radicalize.

The event marked the regime's first serious crisis as the Church organized massive protests nationwide, but by a combination of disinformation, intimidation, and negotiation, Torrijos managed to maneuver the opposition and further establish his leadership.

Partly in response to the movement's pressure, a road was paved to Santa Fe, further facilitating the region's integration into the national economy, and more resources were directed to the town.