Panama Launches "Latidos del Barrio" Program for 10 Community Centers

On Tuesday, Panama's First Lady Maricel Cohen de Mulino and Minister of Culture María Eugenia Herrera presented to the Cabinet Council the development plan for 10 community centers, "Latidos del Barrio". The program aims to promote culture, sports, health, education, and citizen participation in prioritized communities. Minister Herrera highlighted that the program is created to strengthen social aspects in prioritized communities, recover public spaces, and reinforce the effective presence of the State. The Minister of Culture explained that the heart of the program is the community centers, conceived as a living and multidisciplinary space. "It is a program that walks with communities, that recognizes the talent that already exists in our neighborhoods and turns it into real opportunities," the statement read. The First Lady added that from each institution they can add and take this impact to more neighborhoods in the country, because when we work together and walk with our communities, we build a more human, more just, and more opportune Panama for all." "It is a program with clear objectives and a defined methodology that understands that culture is not an accessory, not a complement, it is a necessity and a strategic tool for human development, social prevention, and community function," Minister of Culture emphasized. During the presentation, it was informed that the First Lady's Office and the Ministry of Culture are advancing in the planning and organization of this program that will benefit more than 2 million Panamanians living in forgotten neighborhoods. They will offer spaces designed for artistic training, community gathering, and the revitalization of public areas, with a focus on youth to tackle violence, the scourge of drugs, and gangs. This program is promoted in the long term. "From this Office, we continue to be in the territory, listening, supporting, and promoting values such as respect, coexistence, and solidarity," the First Lady highlighted during the Cabinet session, chaired by President José Raúl Mulino. Among the projects under execution, the cultural centers of the Coastal Strip (El Chorrillo), San Joaquín (Pedregal), and Ciudad Esperanza (Arraiján) were mentioned, with contracts already awarded and about to be activated. The initiative received the backing of the Cabinet, recognizing its potential to generate opportunities, social cohesion, and community development. "It is not about infrastructure alone, they are places where the community meets, expresses itself, and strengthens," they added. In three years, it will develop 4 centers in the metropolitan area and 6 in different provinces of the country, with a projected investment of $23.8 million, which is equivalent to a social investment of $10.82 per person, guaranteeing equitable access to culture and creativity. Likewise, the success of the Youth Choirs and Orchestras Network was highlighted, which has gone from serving 1,215 students in 2017 to more than 8,800 in 2026, demonstrating the real impact of cultural investment in talent formation.