Panama's President, José Raúl Mulino, held a conversation with prominent members of the press to discuss the current situation in the country and its main challenges.
Regarding security, Mulino emphasized that combating organized crime is a primary government task. He noted that in this fight, investing in aerial patrol is more cost-effective than maritime patrol, comparing the acquisition of airplanes and patrol boats. The president also stressed the need to increase investment in equipment and technology to counter criminal organizations, which sometimes have an advantage over authorities. “What we are experiencing is not a game and is not on a small scale. For example, the seizures and discoveries at Tocumen show that organized crime is ahead of us, and we must innovate to attack that enormous volume of trafficking,” Mulino stated.
Mulino also highlighted that investments in health, energy, and water are government priorities. He pointed out the impact of programs such as medical care, eyeglass programs, and dental prostheses delivery in communities. In other areas, the rescue of abandoned health projects that are nearing completion for the benefit of citizens is being highlighted. Among the health facilities soon to be inaugurured, the president announced the following dates: • November 27: Inauguration of the Bugaba Hospital after a year of work. • December 5: Inauguration of the Guararé Polyclinic. He also mentioned the upcoming delivery of the Anita Moreno Hospital in Los Santos and the Metetí Hospital in Darién.
In the financial sphere, President Mulino positively valued the approval of the CSS law, which allows a «breather for the financial system». He stressed the need to increase investment in equipment and technological updates to counteract criminal organizations, which at times have an advantage over the authorities. In this matter, he assured he is «very attentive» and committed to being forceful in demanding that state entities that owe the employer quota comply with their payments.
Concluding the conversation, Mulino reiterated that «understanding the new country we are building is vital» and that journalism has a great responsibility. He urged all professions, including journalism, to train in specific topics to improve their understanding and communication. «With the respect that the country deserves, the daily gossip must give way to real and objective information,» he added.
