President José Raúl Mulino has announced the gradual closure of the Bajo Chiquito and Canal Membrillo migrant shelters in the Darien region. According to the government, the facilities will no longer be needed, given the rapid and substantial decrease in the flow of migrants traveling from South America to the United States. Migrants arriving to those shelters received aid and medical attention from Panamanian institutions and NGOs. During his campaign and upon his election last year, Mulino promised to introduce stricter migration controls and ‘close’ the Darien Gap; now, those attempting to enter from the Darien after the shelters close will be deported. Although the number of people entering Panama from Colombia is decreasing, the number of migrants making the journey back south from the U.S. is increasing. Notably, Costa Rica and Panama agreed in February to coordinate assistance to returning migrants through means such as bussing, but the closure of the shelters in the Darien will negatively impact people in transit.

Sources: La Estrella de Panamá, AP, France 24, Panamá América, Telemundo 

On 10 October, President José Raúl Mulino announced his government’s strategy to combat gang activity. Known as operation Panama 3.0, the strategy aims to eradicate gang violence and crime by strengthening the national police with the incorporation of 1,032 additional agents, as well as through patrolling, checkpoints and community outreach. The strategy will be implemented in regions particularly affected by violence, including Colón, Panama West and San Miguelito. The strategy comes weeks after Mulino announced the implementation of regional curfews for minors, which have now been extended and will continue to be assessed periodically. According to government officials, by late October the rate of certain crimes considered of high impact had reduced by 71 per cent; over 2,900 people had been detained and illicit drugs, vehicles and cash had been seized and secured.

Sources:Presidencia Panamá,International IDEA,Telemetro,Prensa Latina,En Segundos

President José Raúl Mulino announced the implementation of temporary regional curfews for minors and enhanced security in response to an increase in gang activity and organized crime. The nighttime curfews were established in the regions of Colón and San Miguelito, followed by one in Bocas del Toro. President Mulino has expressed that the measure would be assessed periodically and, if necessary, further measures, including curfews for people over 18 years old, would be implemented. He also announced that the National Aeronaval Service (SENAN) would take over security tasks in all airports and would increase its presence in coastal areas through patrolling. By early October, Mulino stated that in Colón and San Miguelito the curfews had resulted in a five per cent reduction of crime, however the long-term impact of the strategy is yet to be seen.   

Sources:Presidencia Panamá (1),Presidencia Panamá (2), La Prensa Panama, Telemetro

On 5 May, Panama held elections to choose its president, members of the National Assembly, members of the Central American Parliament, mayors and other local leaders. José Raúl Mulino was elected president with the support of 34.3 per cent of voters, nearly ten percentage points ahead of second place Ricardo Lombana. Former president Martin Torrijos came in third place, while the ruling Revolutionary Democratic party (Partido Revolucionario Democrático) candidate only attained around 5.8 per cent of votes. Mulino entered the race as the candidate for the Achieving Goals (Realizando Metas) opposition party after the original candidate, former President Martinelli, was deemed ineligible for having been convicted for money laundering. Just days before the election, the Supreme Court confirmed that Mulino could run for president, denying a challenge to his eligibility for not having participated in his party’s primary process.

In Congress, independent candidates earned enough seats to become the largest group in the Legislature. According to preliminary results, 15 women were elected to the National Assembly out of 71 members (one less than in the previous legislature). Voting is mandatory but not enforced in Panama, and electoral participation was around 78 per cent (up five percentage points compared to 2019).

Sources:El Pais,Organization of American States,EFE, The Guardian