President of Panama José Raúl Mulino criticized this Friday that a guarantees court had ordered house arrest for "one of the largest drug traffickers in Panama." He once again accused judicial actors of leniency and insisted on the need for changes to criminal legislation. "Stop being so lenient with the most abhorrent criminals," Mulino said. He assured that drug trafficking affects public health and recalled that he himself was Minister of Security. On the same day, eight people were detained during the 'Nodriza' operation by the Ministry of Public Safety and the Police. On Thursday, they were charged with drug trafficking, with two of them also accused of being the leaders of a criminal organization. During the hearing, measures such as house arrest, bi-monthly notifications, and weekly reporting were ordered. According to the local press, Judge Josefa Monfante approved house arrest for César Caicedo, who suffers from a heart condition that requires specialized medical attention. Mulino also added that he does not want to "think of other things" that may have motivated the court's decision. The Executive, he added, is doing its part in the fight against crime: it seizes drugs, dismantles gangs, and files corruption complaints. He said he trusts that the National Assembly will be key to transforming the judicial system and requested an independent, committed, and real justice. He assured that he expects "the weight of the law to fall on traffickers, rapists, and degenerates." This is not the first time Mulino has criticized the guarantees judges. "The effort we are making to clean up the country is not compatible with the decisions of the judges," he said. He assured that putting a gang leader in his home "is not justice." The statements were made at a public event, according to the Presidency. Mulino asked the other branches of the State to accompany him. He claims that an "excessive guarantism" in the SPA allows for abuses and ensures that these decisions sabotage the fight against organized crime. On November 20, he announced that he will push for an anti-mafia law. For this, he will seek advice from the U.S., France, and Italy. He said he hopes to replace "all the trash we have at the moment" and requested harsher penalties for those who have harmed the country.
