Teachers and student leaders reported the existence of an ultrarightist plot against dissenting social organizations in Panama. During a press conference at the Faculty of Humanities, student leader Miguel Quintero highlighted that the plan became evident during the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
"A narrative has been constructed against the students who raise their voices about what is wrong in our country," Quintero expressed. He blamed these actions on Jaime Fernández, head of the National Police, and high-ranking repressive officials in the Public Ministry.
"Our comrades cannot be prosecuted for disagreeing with the situations in the country," emphasized Quintero. The students criticized the persecution unleashed by the Panamanian state against university students. Authorities at the University of Panama rejected claims that Crowd Control agents, under Fernández's orders, attacked the university on January 31, violating its autonomy.
Fernández labeled the students as "criminals," which generated outrage among popular organizations. Professor Gilberto Marulanda pointed out irregularities in the Public Ministry to protect officers involved in the assaults on students. Despite the lack of evidence, the students' defense has elements that incriminate the officials.
One of the students, Tamara Ortiz, was illegally detained, without the Public Ministry proving her guilt. The judge ordered periodic notification measures for the cited students while the facts are clarified. The university rector demanded an end to illegal searches in student residences, comparing them to acts of repression during World War II.
Amid this scenario, university students and their defenders face accusations and repressive actions that aim to silence legitimate protest.
