An operation by the National Police and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office resulted in the apprehension of five people, including a former corregimiento representative, two former treasurers, and two merchants, for alleged embezzlement harming the National Decentralization Authority (AND) between 2019-2024. During operations in the districts of Santiago and Soná, in the province of Veraguas, the former corregimiento representative of Gatuncillo was apprehended for the alleged mismanagement of $165,708, which were allocated by the AND for social projects. The former treasurer of the Calidonia Community Board, in the Soná district, was also located for alleged embezzlement involving $167,984. At the same time, two merchants were detained, who allegedly received funds from community boards for projects that were not completed. During the raids, authorities located evidence such as cell phones and commercial business receipt books, which are being analyzed as part of the investigation. The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office is advancing a series of investigations related to the management of AND funds, channeled through the Social Interest Program (PDIS). In July 2025, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office commissioned the Judicial Investigation Directorate (DIJ) to locate corregimiento representatives and mayors who received funds from the AND's Social Interest Program (PDIS) and are under investigation for alleged embezzlement. The prosecutor's office conducted operations at the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the National Bank of Panama, focused on locating information related to a series of complaints filed in 2024 and verifying the disbursements made by the AND to 70 community boards and municipalities that received PDIS funds.
