Following the incident, at least three teenagers left the center again. Authorities activated protocols in coordination with the Police for Children and Adolescents, the Public Ministry, the Ombudsman's Office, and the Ministry of Social Development. The director of the children's shelter, Lucy Córdoba, stated that children's shelters urgently need international help. "What we are experiencing today is the result of not taking measures for decades," she said. She added that institutions linked to childhood have been used as political quotas, which has affected their operation. Córdoba questioned the handling of the problem. Córdoba stated that the authorities have not been able to control the situation or offer results since incidents were reported in recent months. "They have not known how to handle the problem," she emphasized. The Ombudsman points out that the State has failed and calls for expert support. The Ombudsman for the rights of children, adolescents, and youth, Lucy Córdoba, stated that the crisis in shelters under the responsibility of SENNIAF requires international help, considering that the State has not been able to manage the problem. "Look for international help, that's all I can tell you," expressed the Ombudsman when referring to the situation registered at the Comprehensive Care Center (CAI) in Tocumen. She pointed out a lack of capacity in authorities. Córdoba stated that the current authorities lack the necessary experience to address the issue of childhood, noting that many decisions are made from an administrative standpoint and not from fieldwork. She indicated that while there may be legally trained professionals, managing childhood requires specialized technical knowledge and a direct understanding of the problems. "It is the consequence of accumulated failures" The Ombudsman reiterated that the recent events respond to structural problems that have dragged on for years. "The State is all of us. The facts are there," she indicated. She also expressed her disagreement with the statements of the director of SENNIAF, considering that they have not been objective. As part of her proposals, the Ombudsman proposed a comprehensive restructuring of the childhood system, accompanied by specialized advice. She pointed out that the authorities must recognize their limitations and turn to experts to face the situation. Recent events at the CAI in Tocumen. The statements come after the incidents recorded on Monday night at the CAI in Tocumen, where sheltered adolescents perpetrated acts of violence within the center. According to SENNIAF, the events were provoked by a small group of minors who had already escaped weeks ago and were readmitted to the system.
