The Ministry of Government of Panama seeks to identify the individuals responsible for disseminating audio and visual materials featuring persons deprived of liberty, which constitutes a serious breach of the system's security. Minister Dinoska Montalvo, accompanied by Jorge Torregroza, General Director of the Penitentiary System, and Diana Rigau, Director of Legal Advisory of the Ministry of Government, explained that the material detected on digital platforms includes statements about internal processes. The Ministry of Government is seeking to identify those responsible for spreading audios and videos of people deprived of liberty, which represents a serious breach of security. She also noted that certain administrators of digital platforms knowingly obtain and disseminate prohibited information, aware of its illegality. With the aim of combating corruption both internally and externally, the complaint requests that the Public Ministry identify those who participate and facilitate these practices. The head of government also clarified that the Penitentiary System does not have the authority to grant community service, a responsibility that falls exclusively on judges, while the Technical Committee is limited to the evaluation of the profiles of those deprived of liberty. However, the official emphasized that the greatest seriousness lies in the dissemination of audios allegedly emitted by persons deprived of liberty, an activity strictly prohibited by current regulations that reveals flaws in security controls. Dinoska Montalvo warned that the institution is on the trail of officials who may be facilitating the entry of cell phones and other restricted items. Montalvo reiterated her administration's commitment to restoring order and ensuring that the law is complied with within the penal facilities. Regarding operational security, the minister reported that searches and seizure operations are carried out permanently to curb the introduction of prohibited items. To date, the Ministry of Government has filed 16 complaints related to these irregularities, resulting in the conviction of eight officials. As part of the strategies to strengthen the institutional framework, investigations, personnel rotations, and internal changes remain active. According to the minister, these actions represent a direct violation of the system's order.
