Curfew in Bocas del Toro, Panama

Posted on by Vaseline

Panama is expanding its crackdown on crime with a new curfew in Bocas del Toro, following recent security measures elsewhere in the country.

In a series of measures to tackle rising crime and drug trafficking in Panama, President José Raúl Mulino has announced the introduction of curfews in several regions of the country. The latest area to be affected is the popular tourist destination of Bocas del Toro, where a curfew for minors will go into effect next week, on Monday, September 9.

Extension of curfew measures

The curfew in Bocas del Toro follows similar restrictions imposed in late August in the Caribbean province of Colón and the district of San Miguelito near Panama City. These earlier curfews were in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

President Mulino justified the measures by stating: “The crime rate in Bocas del Toro is very high. It is one of the provinces that lead the statistics in terms of crime, murders and drug trafficking.He stressed that Panamanian gangs are now working with international criminal organizations from Mexico and Venezuela.

Bocas del Toro, on the Caribbean side of Panama and close to the border with Costa Rica, is known for its tropical islands and is a favorite among foreign tourists. Many travelers visit Bocas from Costa Rica, either as a way into Panama or on visa runs or other short trips. However, authorities fear that it could also serve as a refuge for refugees from other countries.

The curfews in Colón and San Miguelito, both densely populated areas, are intended to clear “streets, avenues and more remote areas” of drug trafficking and crime, President Mulino said.

Growing concerns about crime and drug trafficking

Panama has seen a worrying increase in drug-related incidents and homicides. In 2023, authorities seized 119 tons of drugs, down from a record 138 tons in 2022. However, the country remains a major transit point for cocaine from South America, bound for the United States and, increasingly, Europe.

Dozens of people have been arrested in recent weeks, including police officers and the son of a member of parliament, for alleged links to gangs or drug trafficking.

On August 30, the U.S. Embassy in Panama City issued a notice informing U.S. citizens of the curfews in San Miguelito and Colón. The notice urges U.S. citizens to be vigilant, avoid large crowds and protests, and to shelter in place during curfew hours if necessary.

Government position

President Mulino has threatened possible further repressive measures in the future, warning:If I see that there is no cooperation or that the curfew is not working as it should, I will turn up the volume and take stricter action.“

The effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen. The president has asked the Minister of Security for a detailed report on the impact of the continued curfews.

“The situation is critical,“he said.”We need to assess the current results carefully before we consider further action. I hope that things will improve, but until I have the final report I cannot confirm whether we are making progress or not.“

The coming weeks will be crucial to determine the impact of these measures on crime rates in the affected regions.

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