News
Thursday 19th June 2025
June 18, 2025
Public Security Minister Frank Ábrego stated this Wednesday that law enforcement does not use lethal weapons in protest control operations, and that the case of the young man who died in Rambala, Chiriquí Grande, Bocas del Toro, is in the hands of the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
“The crowd control unit arrived at the scene, dispersed the demonstration with tear gas, and then saw a body lying about 300 meters from where the police were,” Ábrego explained, referring to the incident that occurred on Tuesday, June 17, in the Chiriquí Grande district.
According to the minister, the young man was taken to Rambala Hospital, where his death was confirmed. The minister clarified that the case was handed over to the prosecutor’s office as a “criminal report” and that it was not his office’s responsibility to assess the cause of death. “We do know the person’s name, but that is already in the file, and it is up to the Public Prosecutor’s Office to address this case,” he added.
Ábrego confirmed that the deceased suffered “a blow to the back ,” but stressed that an autopsy ordered by forensic authorities will determine the circumstances of the death.
In response to social media reports of a supposed second victim with a head wound, the minister was blunt: “We refute that claim because we have been verifying and asking questions, and no injured person has appeared in any hospital in the country, much less in that region, in the conditions seen in the video (…)”
Ábrego insisted that security forces do not use firearms or pellets during the protests . “Many of our units go unarmed; they simply carry shields, helmets, and whatever protection we can provide. No one uses firearms during this work action,” he emphasized.
The minister also noted that Tuesday’s intervention took place after protesters headed toward a SENAFRONT and National Police checkpoint, whose units requested reinforcements due to a lack of equipment. “They were simply on duty, keeping watch at the site,” he explained.
The young man’s death occurred in the context of protests in Bocas del Toro against Law 462, which reformed the social security system and has sparked roadblocks and strikes for more than a month.
Last Saturday, public security forces activated Operation Omega to attempt to unblock access routes to Bocas del Toro. According to authorities, the strategy involved the deployment of 1,350 uniformed officers along two operational axes, from Hornitos to Changuinola.
The Drug Prosecutor’s Office has until next August to conclude its investigations against 28 people arrested in Operation Jericho , who are being investigated for alleged money laundering and conspiracy to commit drug trafficking .
Judicial sources revealed that, in this case, last March a judge granted the prosecutor’s office an additional six months to complete the investigation related to this case.
On August 21, 2023, Magistrate Judge Mike Zúñiga charged 21 people and granted the prosecution a six-month period to complete the proceedings.
The prosecutor’s office then requested a hearing to charge five other people, including Abraham Rico Pineda, son of Congressman Raúl Pineda . Pineda remains in custody at El Renacer prison.
However, last March, just days before the end of the investigation period, the Drug Prosecutor’s Office requested that the investigation be declared a complex case and requested another six months to complete the investigation.
Operation Jericho began on June 30, 2023 , and is considered one of the most complex organized crime investigations in Panama. According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office , this transnational network transported cocaine shipments, laundered money, and forged alliances with sectors of the country’s political, business, and security establishments.
The investigation has accumulated 40 volumes, 1,666 wiretaps, and 153 surveillance proceedings, and 28 people have been charged. Some of the defendants have been granted precautionary measures of periodic reporting and prohibition from leaving the country.
During the operation, the prosecutor’s office recorded 25 incidents related to the trafficking of more than four tons of drugs and the seizure of $2 million.
Apartments were also seized, including one valued at $780,000, along with high-end cars and more than $700,000 in bank accounts and front companies.
In this case, the Public Prosecutor’s Office sent documents to the Supreme Court of Justice alleging links between Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) deputy Raúl Pineda and the activities of this criminal network, but the court has not yet issued a ruling on whether or not to open an investigation into Pineda.
Specifically, they sent the Court a series of wiretaps and surveillance and monitoring records that allegedly link the congressman to the investigation opened by the Drug Prosecutor’s Office.
The bidding process for the purchase of ingredients for the lunches served in public schools across the country has pitted two major business groups against each other.
A “verification committee” from the Ministry of Education (Meduca) recommended awarding the contract to Importadora Virzi, SA , despite the company submitting the highest bid: just over $57.6 million.
Not only is this the most expensive offer, but it also exceeds the reference price previously agreed upon by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by $4.6 million.
The president of Importadora Virzi (the company name for the Super Carnes chain ) is David José Virzi Martinelli , one of the five vice presidents of Realizando Metas (RM) , the party founded by Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal . David Virzi is also the nephew of the former president.
Another proposal, which was lower than the one offered by Importadora Virzi and the reference price of $53.4 million set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was rejected.
A consortium formed by Compañía Goly, SA (operating under the trade name El Machetazo ) and Transporte Ligo, SA presented a plan to provide the service for $51.3 million, that is, $2 million less than what the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA) was requesting.
Furthermore, the consortium’s proposal has the advantage of covering all 22 educational regions, while Importadora Virzi’s, although more expensive, only served 20 regions.
Region 18, which includes the Emberá Wounaan region, would be awarded to Building Paradise for $444,087.
The Supreme Court of Justice has rejected a complaint filed against former president and deputy of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) Juan Carlos Varela , which was filed against him by Germán Eliecer Chanis (alias el Fakir) , alleged leader of a criminal network dismantled in Operation Imperio.
Under the report of Judge Ángela Russo , and with the support of the other judges who make up the Court’s Plenary, it was decided not to admit the complaint filed by Chanis against Varela for crimes against the administration of justice and against public security.
The complaint filed by attorney Roiz Navarro was based on the fact that the former president had instructed former attorney general Kenia Porcell and former National Security Council chief Rolando López to intervene in Operation 507, which mentioned El Fakir.
The Court ordered the investigation to be returned to the Primary Care Prosecutor’s Office of the Public Ministry for further investigation. It also warned that if evidence of the former president’s possible involvement in this investigation emerges in the future, the file could be sent back to the Court.
Alias el Fakir was extradited in May 2024 from Mexico for being the alleged leader of the Imperio gang, allegedly linked to drug trafficking and extortion.
His arrest took place in Chiapas, Mexico , as part of an intelligence operation carried out by authorities from the United States, Mexico, Guatemala and Panama against a criminal network dedicated to drug trafficking.
Sources close to the case indicated that Chanis Aguilar has severe health problems that require specialized medical attention, and is therefore seeking an early conclusion to the proceedings against him .
In 2024, the Supreme Court rejected a constitutional protection appeal filed by Chanis Aguilar’s defense, alleging that his detention was an illegal act.
In July 2024, the Court also rejected a habeas corpus petition filed by Chanis’s defense team, alleging cruel treatment by members of the police force in charge of her custody.
Meanwhile, 12 members of the Imperio gang reached plea deals that were validated by the First Criminal Court, with sentences of 9, 8, 7, 5, and 4 years in prison.
The investigation into this case began on March 3, 2016, following an intelligence operation conducted by authorities from the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, and the Republic of Panama.
Investigations conducted by the Prosecutor’s Office reveal that this group provided logistical support to drug trafficking networks , and that those involved were arrested in operations carried out in the provinces of Panama, Panama Oeste, and Colón.
A new content syndication agreement between the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Corporación La Prensa , two leaders in independent, quality journalism, was announced on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
The event, held at the United Kingdom Residency in Panama, brought together representatives from both organizations, as well as guests from the media, diplomatic, public, and private sectors.
Thanks to this agreement, La Prensa will be able to publish Spanish-language content from the BBC , including reports, international analysis, and special coverage, thus expanding its reliable and editorially valuable news offering for the Panamanian public.
British Ambassador James Dauris stressed that: “Disinformation feeds on polarization, seeks to divide our societies and generate distrust in our communities.”
It is emphasized that this alliance marks a milestone in collaboration between international and regional media outlets and reflects a shared commitment to rigorous and verified journalism.
Another point worth highlighting is that the agreement comes at a key moment, when disinformation driven by technology and artificial intelligence represents a growing challenge for the media and democracies. In this context, agreements like this are essential to guarantee access to impartial, fact-based information.
Both institutions share the vision that journalism should serve citizens by informing, educating, and strengthening democratic life. This initiative will not only benefit Panamanian readers but also opens the door to future collaborations in Latin America, expanding the reach of reliable content in the region.
With over 100 years of history, the BBC is recognized worldwide for its editorial independence. La Prensa Corporation , for its part, has been a pillar of Panamanian journalism, with a firm commitment to freedom of expression and transparency.
The reception concluded with a call to continue building bridges between media, cultures, and countries, in favor of more informed, resilient, and democratic societies.