Monday
Monday 7th October 2024.
October 6, 2024
The participation of young people in the discussion processes of key issues for Panama and decision-making “is essential” for the development and well-being of the country. This was the opinion of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (Cciap) in its weekly column on Sunday.
One of these issues is the future of the Social Security Fund (CSS) , an entity that is currently facing a financial crisis. According to the business community, young people have a very important role in the current public discussion about the CSS, where the future of their pensions is on the table.
“Moreover, the decisions taken here are crucial for the social and economic stability of the country. All of this should awaken the attention of the new generations, informing them and defending their right to a sustainable future,” he said.
For this reason, the association announced that it will do everything possible to make its voice heard on this and other issues of national relevance. For example, the association agreed with the young people of the Panamanian Debate Association to promote the practice of debate and develop skills that allow the exchange of ideas on crucial issues of public interest in discussions, workshops, seminars, training and conferences, among other activities. Something similar will be implemented with the professionals who make up the Junior Chamber International (JCI) .
“As a Chamber, we want to listen to the ‘pelaos’, so we will continue to look for ways to expand the channels of communication with young people, promoting their integration in the key decisions that will define the direction of the country,” he said.
The organization recalled that they are not future actors, but present protagonists who have much to contribute to issues that affect everyone. “Their vision and concerns must be taken into account to build a more inclusive, fair and prosperous Panama,” it added.
A debate is currently underway with various sectors on possible solutions for the Social Security Fund. The two discussion tables were set up on September 16 and include the participation of representatives from the business sector, workers, patients and authorities, who are discussing the crisis facing the CSS.
The debate is expected to end on October 31, before a bill is submitted to the National Assembly .
Irving Villarreal Torres , one of the most wanted for crimes against freedom and sexual integrity in the form of aggravated lewd acts and corruption of minors, was captured on Saturday night at Tocumen International Airport.
The man has been sentenced to 192 months in prison. This sentence was issued by the Trial Court and confirmed by judgment No. 106 of April 19, 2024.
The arrest was carried out by members of the National Police.
The authorities are also on the trail of Francisco Aaron Martínez Casas for his involvement in the crime of rape; César González Cerrud for his involvement in the crime of aggravated rape; and Ailianys Zenith Vásquez Quezada for her involvement in the crime of rape.
Some 36 medical providers in Panama have been suspended from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Foreign Medical Program following an investigation into alleged fraud against U.S. veterans, who were allegedly charged for medical services they did not receive.
“These providers were implicated in a criminal complaint for submitting thousands of false claims to the VA for services that were billed twice, overpriced, unnecessary or not provided, resulting in an estimated loss of $67 million,” said the U.S. agency responsible for providing benefits to veterans and their dependents.
The VA said the suspensions are part of efforts to protect veterans from potential fraud, abuse and waste of resources. While the suspension of these providers is an unprecedented measure, it warned that they could be permanently debarred, which would protect the public interest and prevent future fraud against VA programs, veterans and the federal government.
The suspension affects approximately 1,030 veterans living in Panama . According to the VA, these veterans have already been notified and have several options to receive medical care from other Panamanian providers that are not on the suspension list.
The VA stressed that veterans can contact the Foreign Medical Program for assistance in coordinating administrative care, and that the program will continue to process medical claims from local providers who are not suspended.
An investigation has been launched in Panama into alleged fraud against American veterans, after the U.S. Treasury Department detected irregular payments for medical services provided to war veterans in the country, which allegedly caused significant economic damage.
According to preliminary investigations, the case could involve more people who subcontracted other specialists to treat veterans and allegedly charged inflated prices for their services.
To see those medical providers suspended by VA and those available see the La Prensa article.
More voices within the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) are joining in the call for an early renewal of its leadership.
In a statement, the Grassroots Movement for National Rescue called on party members to organize and demand “renewal in the shortest possible time.”
According to the group, the current National Executive Committee (NEC ), “largely responsible for the electoral defeat of May 2024, is clinging to its positions and, from an eminently electoral perspective, is proposing a calendar for the renewal of the PRD leadership that would span three years.”
He said that this proposal “would be complemented by collaboration with the current government, in a sort of loyal opposition, which would leave the party without any option to play its role in the political struggle alongside the popular movement and without the possibility of leading a project of power in society.”
On September 26, through a statement, the PRD announced that its leadership decided to begin a renewal process that will begin with the “voluntary resignation” of the current CEN and will culminate with the election of a “transitional CEN” in September 2025.
This, after the harsh defeat they suffered in the last elections. Their presidential candidate, José Gabriel Carrizo , came in sixth place with 5.9% of the votes (José Raúl Mulino won the presidency with 34.2%).
So far, the only thing known is the resignation of Crispiano Adames as first vice president of the CEN and Doris Zapata, first undersecretary.
The current NEC is controlled by deputy Benicio Robinson . The party’s general secretary is former deputy Rubén De León.
Rogelio Paredes is the second vice president; Carlos Pérez Herrera is the second undersecretary; Raúl Pineda is the third undersecretary; Ricardo Torres is the fourth undersecretary; Julio Mendoza is the fifth undersecretary; and Edgar Zurdo is the sixth undersecretary.
Time is running out for the local councils. With just a few days left before the deadline, only 26% of these local governments have complied with the submission of reports to the National Decentralization Authority (AND), detailing the use of funds allocated under the so-called “parallel decentralization” or social interest subprogram, implemented by the previous government (2019-2024).
On August 15, President José Raúl Mulino set a 60-day deadline for elected and non-reelected representatives to submit a detailed report on the use of allocated public funds, which expires on October 15 , that is, in three days.
This measure responds to revelations from the new administration of the AND, which has denounced the “discretionary use” of a financial account created in 2018 and formalized in the Ministry of Economy and Finance, under the name of “social interest subprogram,” in which more than $200 million were distributed to 473 of the 679 communal councils in the country, outside the scheme regulated by law. This has raised concerns about the transparency and management of these resources.
Amid the debate over transparency in the use of these public funds, Narciso Machuca, a lawyer and legal advisor on municipal issues, defended programs such as the PIOP (Public Works and Municipal Services Investment Program) and the IBI (Property Tax) fund, arguing that both funds have strict user manuals that prevent any type of manipulation for political benefit.
Machuca said that the real focus of the debate revolves around the social assistance subprogram, which was managed separately from the decentralization funds, and insisted on the importance of accountability. He said that the communal councils and municipalities that received this money must present clear reports on its use.
He also acknowledged that while many mayors and representatives used these funds appropriately, financing visible and beneficial projects for their communities, others did not do so in a transparent manner. For those who misused these resources, Machuca said that authorities must investigate thoroughly and apply the weight of the law without hesitation.
“Accountability is crucial to maintaining public trust and ensuring that funds serve the interests of the community,” he said.
According to Bernal, although the deposits are reflected in the account of the communal council, it is not clear whether they were used correctly, so, in addition to the report that is being sent to the AND, they are carrying out an audit.
“Millions of dollars were received, but we don’t know where they went. This new administration wants to do things properly and in a transparent manner,” concluded the new representative, who hopes to submit his report next week.
The scheme for the gradual delivery of these funds was made known by the newspaper La Prensa through journalist Sol Lauría, who received an award from the Forum of Journalists for her work.
Around $11 million 450 thousand have been seized and 223 people arrested in the last six major operations that dismantled criminal groups dedicated to supporting drug cartels.
Panama’s Pacific and Atlantic coasts have become the preferred route for drug traffickers to transport drugs to Mexico, the United States and Europe. Despite the rise of synthetic drugs, cocaine and marijuana continue to be in high demand in the North American and European markets.
In December 2021, the Drug Prosecutor’s Office and the Police carried out Operation Fisher , in which 51 people were arrested and $10 million was seized in a residence in the coastal sector of Nueva Providencia, in the province of Colón. This criminal structure provided services to the Clan del Golfo, receiving drugs from Colombia and sending the money from the sales.
In January 2023, the Drug Prosecutor’s Office carried out Operations Whale and Exodus , in which a total of 51 people were arrested for drug trafficking conspiracy crimes.
The investigation revealed a criminal structure that received drugs from Colombia and introduced them in containers. This group maintained a complex structure with branches in Spain and Dubai.
The latest major anti-drug operation announced by the authorities is Operation Náufrago , which began in November 2022; however, the raids and arrest warrants became effective on October 2.
In this operation, 15 people were arrested, part of a criminal cell that used El Salado beach in Aguadulce, Punta Mala in Los Santos, and the coasts of the province of Herrera to introduce drugs from Colombia.
This group had the collaboration of an official from the Aquatic Resources Authority (ARAP), who alerted them about the location of the patrol boats of the National Aeronaval Service (SENAN). During the operation, six tons of drugs were seized.