The Peace and Community Justice system in Panama is consolidating as a key mechanism for resolving conflicts, maintaining social peace, and fostering peaceful coexistence among citizens. During the Cabinet Council session, the Minister of Government (Mingob), Dinoska Montalvo, presented a detailed report on the progress in implementing the Peace and Community Justice system. In her address, the minister detailed that there are currently around 488 Peace Houses operating in the country. This space is projected as a “model house,” aimed at strengthening access to justice, peaceful coexistence, and alternative conflict resolution in the community. “We are seeking community courts with traceability and technology, including digital files, so that the user has a much more formal and efficient experience,” stated the minister. Montalvo emphasized the need for greater traceability, ensuring that payments for certifications or fines can be monitored with precision. The national coverage is detailed with 29 Peace Houses in Coclé; 76 in Veraguas; 24 in Herrera; 39 in Los Santos; 16 in Bocas del Toro; 70 in the Ngäbe Buglé region; 85 in Chiriquí; 3 in the Guna Yala region; 5 in the Emberá Wounaan region; 20 in Darién; 41 in Colón; 36 in West Panama; and 43 in Panama. Additionally, Mingob is managing the launch of Peace Houses in Aguadulce – Pueblos Unidos (Coclé); La Enea – El Espinal – El Hato (Los Santos); El Chorrillo – Río Abajo – Pedregal – Chimán / Pasiga (Panama) and La Yeguada – Soná (Veraguas). Montalvo highlighted the official inauguration of the Don Bosco Community Court this Tuesday. “Don Bosco is the first model of the operation we want to replicate throughout the country,” she reiterated. The Mingob, in coordination with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Secretariat of Goals of the Ministry of the Presidency, is working to resolve specific operational aspects, such as the activation of the necessary physical structures to comply with the law during the first half of 2026. “We are seeking the implementation of infrastructure and technology for a true transformation of the Peace and Community Justice system,” she concluded.
