News
Tuesday 7th January 2025.
January 6, 2025
The Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development (Mitradel) in Western Panama ordered arbitration and decreed the suspension of the strike measure taken by the National Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs).
Suntracs declared an indefinite strike on Monday, January 6, starting at 7:00 a.m., alleging non-compliance by the HPH Joint Venture consortium that is building Line 3 of the Panama Metro.
In a statement, Mitradel reiterated its call to this union and the HPH Joint Venture consortium of Line 3 of the Panama Metro SA, to resume the dialogue table and reach a middle ground that leads to an agreement that puts an end to the conflict between both parties.
“The Ministry of Trade and Industry is committed to ensuring that the economy is not affected and that there are no losses in all productive sectors of the country, not only in terms of salaries, but also in important investments that are of public benefit and social work projects such as Line 3 of the Panama Metro SA for the transportation of people in the area of West Panama,” he said.
In addition, the labor office indicates that this mega project will relocate 160 thousand people and has a cost of more than $3 billion and generates 5 thousand jobs.
“The Ministry of Labor is committed to ensuring that the economy is not affected and that there are no losses in all productive sectors of the country, not only in terms of salaries, but also in important investments that are of public benefit and social work projects such as Line 3 of the Panama Metro SA for the transportation of people in the area of West Panama,” indicated the Ministry of Labor.
However, representatives of Suntracs indicated that the indefinite strike will continue. “Mitradel is part of the conflict and not a mediator, this is clearly demonstrated by its illegal and unconstitutional actions. We remain firm in the strike, it is currently being carried out and will be maintained in accordance with the law as it should be.”
The National Assembly ‘s Labor, Health and Social Development Committee declared a recess until next Wednesday, January 8, to continue with the first debate on the draft reforms to the Social Security Fund (CSS) .
The deputies met on January 6 to discuss the proposal, with the presence of the Minister of Economy and Finance, Felipe Chapman ; the director of the Social Security Fund, Dino Mon ; the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama, Juan Alberto Arias Strunz ; as well as representatives of the workers, including the former presidential candidate Maribel Gordón.
According to Alaín Cedeño, president of the Commission on Labor, Health and Social Development, the initial analysis will address the first 50 articles of the project , which contain provisions related to the internal organization and governance model of the CSS.
The Minister of Public Security, Frank Ábrego, acknowledged that Panama showed an upward trend in crime incidence in 2024, with a total of 105,323 crimes being recorded, which represents an increase of 4% compared to the 101,271 crimes reported in 2023.
He explained that 17,333 cases of theft were recorded, an increase of 10% compared to the 15,757 reported the previous year. Regarding the crime of robbery, he noted an increase of 3%, going from 9,215 cases in 2023 to 9,491 in 2024. Likewise, cases of personal injury increased by 1%, from 25,204 in 2023 to 25,456 in 2024.
Statistics from the Ministry of Security also revealed that 2024 closed with 581 homicides, compared to 556 recorded in 2023, which implies an increase of 25 murders (4.5%).
Regarding drug seizures, Ábrego reported that during 2024 a total of 80,000 packages of illicit substances were confiscated in various operations nationwide. He also highlighted the destruction of 1,552 firearms, 62,049 ammunition and 2,109 magazines of different calibers.
On the other hand, the authorities noted a significant decrease in irregular migration. During 2024, 302,303 migrants passed through the province of Darién, which represents a reduction of 42% compared to the 520,085 registered in 2023. Minister Ábrego also highlighted that work has been done in conjunction with the Ministry of Social Development to resocialize 27,267 young people at risk of social exclusion.
Projections for 2025 include the installation of video surveillance cameras in the 24 districts that make up the metropolitan city, in addition to the training of human resources in the use of new technologies to combat organized crime.
Panama’s justice system will face challenges of great historical relevance in 2025. The main ones include the prosecution of at least four people with immunity before the full Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ), the probable outcome of two lawsuits for damages of the highest amounts against the State, the incorporation of new prosecutors and magistrates of the SCJ, and the entry into force of the new civil procedural system.
These events will subject the Judiciary (OJ) and the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) to significant pressure from political and economic interests. At the end of the year, the outlook could oscillate between a strengthening of the rule of law or a weakened and questioned justice system.
Next Monday, January 20, the plenary hearing of the Odebrecht case, considered the largest corruption scandal in the history of Panama, with 25 defendants, will begin. Under the direction of Judge Baloisa Marquínez, an expert in financial crimes, more than 100 testimonies and the 2,855 volumes of the file will be examined. This process follows the rules of the Mixed Inquisition System.
Among the accused, three will be tried by the Plenary of the CSJ due to their immunity: former president Juan Carlos Varela, deputy of the Central American Parliament; and businessmen Ricardo Alberto and Luis Enrique Martinelli Linares, alternate deputies. Although former president Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal remains in asylum in the Nicaraguan embassy, his lawyers will be able to participate in the process.
Another relevant case for 2025 is that of deputy Raúl Pineda, of the Democratic Revolutionary Party, investigated for alleged money laundering in Operation Jericho. His son, Abraham Rico Pineda, and his wife, Maybel Araúz, remain in custody.
In November 2024, the SCJ returned the case to the MP due to lack of suitable evidence. In December, the prosecution sent 51 volumes to magistrate Olmedo Arrocha, who must evaluate whether to admit the case. If the case proceeds, Arrocha would take over as magistrate prosecutor.
The Third Chamber of the Supreme Court is processing two historic lawsuits against the Panamanian State.
- Diethylene glycol poisoning: Relatives of 839 deceased sue the Social Security Fund for $3,220.9 million. Some claims could be rejected due to lack of expert evidence, leaving an open wound in the collective memory.
- Soho Mall Trust: A lawsuit against the National Bank of Panama for $1.2 billion, arising from the inclusion of the Waked Group on the Clinton list. If the bank or the Social Security Fund lose these cases, the State will be held financially responsible
The mayor of the district of Panama, Mayer Mizrachi , announced on the social network X that he will issue a decree to regulate the activities of next January 9, the date on which the patriotic feat of 1964 is commemorated, recognized as the Day of National Mourning according to Law 13 of January 30, 1967.
Every year, on this date, the memory of those who fell in the struggle to see the Panamanian flag fly in the former Canal Zone is honored. Traditionally, the sale of alcoholic beverages, dancing activities and the broadcasting of loud music are prohibited.
However, this 2025 will be different, as indicated by the mayor. In his post, he noted: “Today a decree will be issued for January 9, Martyrs’ Day. Noise, dancing activities and sale of liquor are prohibited from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
It is important to remember that, months ago, bar and restaurant owners asked the mayor not to declare a dry law on dates such as November 2, December 20 and January 9, in addition to extending the hours of these establishments in areas such as Casco Antiguo and Amador. Of these requests, only that of December 20 was rejected, since that day is considered a National Day of Mourning for the United States invasion of Panama in 1989.
Independent deputy Betserai Richard made a strong appeal to the mayor of the city, Mayer Mizrachi, reminding him that January 9 is not a day for celebration, but a day of national mourning by law. This day, established in Law 13 of January 30, 1967, is one of respect and reflection by Panamanians in honor of the martyrs who lost their lives during the events of 1964.
Richard stressed that January 9 should be a day of absolute mourning , with flags at half-mast and a 24-hour period of respect for the fallen, their families and the country’s collective memory. “It is not a day of drunkenness, it is a day to reflect,” said the deputy, rejecting the possibility that municipal authorities allow activities such as the sale of alcohol or drunken tourism during the day of mourning.
The deputy also stressed that no mayor’s office has the power to modify the solemn character of the day, establishing “hours of mourning” that allow commercial and festive activity before or after 6 am and 6 pm, respectively.
In the last 72 hours, the National Police arrested 422 people in the framework of Operation Providence. Of the total number of those arrested, 108 were for administrative offences, 39 in flagrante delicto and 24 for micro-trafficking.
The National Police report details that 90 raids were carried out and nine firearms were seized with 132 rounds of ammunition, the sum of 3,433 dollars in cash, 410 reeds and two bags of cocaine, two bags of marijuana and seven stone fragments. In addition, five vehicles were recovered with reports of theft and robbery.
In traffic operations, 3,608 tickets were issued for various violations, including 876 for speeding, 152 for inadequate lights, 33 for expired licenses, 17 for alcohol in the breath, and 17 for talking on a cell phone. 159 vehicles were towed by crane for various reasons.