Martinelli will continue to boost security forces

Despite  growing criticism  from political groups and civil society on the alleged militarization of Panama’s security agencies, President, Ricardo Martinelli, says he  will continue to invest in resources and technology to strengthen  them.

The border police (SENAFRONT) who marched  in a recent holiday parade in full battle kit with painted faces and carrying heavy automatic weapons have been a particular target of critics who have linked their appearance to the days of the dictatorship.

Martinelli.  speaking at the annual meeting of the Ibero-American Association of Public Prosecutors said that  that they need to invest in equipment for the security agencies to be prepared for tragedies like those reported this weekend in the district of  Arriajan  and in the  province of Colon.

"They accuse us of militarism and, frankly, we have to be a little more serious and start devoting all resources to solving the problems of  Panamanians."

Meanwhile, says La Prensa,  Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (Molirena) deputy Jorge Alberto Rosas  has asked for an amendment to the 2008 lawthat created the SENAFRONT, to limit its scope only to the borders with Colombia and Costa Rica. Moreover, this component is not ro be used to police and  repress the population in situations of civil or social disorder, as happened in Coon with protests against Law 72.

The  deputy said his proposal also seeks to take care of the resources devoted to SENAFRONT, because the training of the members of the special police service is extremely expensive for the state and the Panamanian society.

Heavily armed  SENAFRONT units were used against protestors in the recent Colon demonstrations, where three people  including a nine-year-old were shot.