Panama's President Announces Anti-Mafia Law

The president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, stated that his government is working on the creation of an anti-mafia law inspired by the regulations of the United States and Europe, with the objective of more effectively confronting criminal structures both within and outside the country. The head of state emphasized that the fight against organized crime is complex and will not yield immediate results, but his government remains committed to strengthening the legal and operational tools necessary to combat this phenomenon that affects the security and well-being of citizens. "This battle against gangs, drug trafficking, and organized crime cannot show flexibility towards these convicted scoundrels," expressed Mulino, referring to the guarantee judges who have made these decisions. "The fight against drug trafficking and crime cannot be the task of the security forces alone; we also need the commitment of society and the backing of the judicial system," affirmed Mulino. Mulino also questioned recent decisions by the Judicial Branch that granted house arrest to individuals linked to criminal activities, such as drug trafficking and gangs, despite having prior convictions. President José Raúl Mulino questions the flexibility of the Judicial Branch and announces the presentation of an anti-mafia law. "As a citizen, I opposed that law because it was not suitable for Panama and could be an instrument of political persecution if someone in power used it improperly," he noted. Regarding the law on asset forfeiture, Mulino assured that he is willing to promote its promulgation, but only if it is a "good technical law" and not defective legislation, as the one that was attempted to be passed in previous legislative sessions. In particular, he pointed out that these decisions highlight the lack of enforcement of laws, a significant obstacle to the effective fight against organized crime. In this sense, he stated that current laws are insufficient and outdated, which has hindered an effective response to the magnitude of the problem. The president also reiterated the importance of a firm commitment from the Judicial Branch in the fight against crime. The president recalled his opposition to the law presented in the past quinquennium, which, in his opinion, contained "serious distortions" and represented a risk of being used for political purposes. Mulino explained that information and international advice are being gathered from countries such as the United States, France, and Italy, whose laws have proven to be effective in dismantling powerful criminal organizations. "We either all work in the same direction, or we are going to poke each other's eyes out."